Healthcare providers should shift their focus from 'disease care' to holistic care, according to healthcare leaders at the fourth Future of Healthcare summit organized by Khaleej Times on Wednesday at JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai Marina.
Dr. Maryam Fatma Matar, founder of the UAE Genetic Disease Association, highlighted the lack of a holistic approach in many UAE healthcare providers. 'When we talk about the future, I rarely find a holistic approach in any healthcare provider in the UAE,' she said. 'Providers keep talking about excellent centers in cardiology, oncology, but they don't have services for sleep medicine, microbiome services, or testing for heavy metals. That is not a futuristic healthcare system. They are still deeply entrenched in the disease care system.'
Brian de Francesca, CEO of Al Sharq Healthcare, agreed with Dr. Maryam. 'If you go into the hospital with a disease, you are almost never going to get a consultation with a dietician or a nutritionist,' he said. 'However, small adjustments in diet can make a significant difference in health. This is preventive healthcare rather than waiting for someone to fall sick.'
Dr. Mohaymen Abdelghany, Vice President of Fakeeh Care UAE and CEO of Fakeeh University Hospital Dubai, emphasized the importance of disease prevention. 'Data and research show the current model of healthcare is not sustainable,' he said. 'You cannot continue to treat sick people. You need to prevent people from becoming sick. This requires a focus on wellness.'
Abdelghany also stressed the need for healthcare providers to move closer to patients. 'Right now, patients come to hospitals,' he said. 'But that will change. We need to provide accessible care more effectively at cost-effective rates. We need to move the care towards the patient. For example, almost all bank services are on your phones. Healthcare needs to be similar.'
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