As one of the leaders in healthcare innovation and the second largest exporter of MedTech in Europe, Ireland has earned a global reputation for innovation and quality.

 

Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government’s trade and innovation agency, has a significant representation at Arab Health, which concludes today (Feb 1) in Dubai, through the 16 companies exhibiting at the Ireland pavilion.

 

With a uniquely collaborative Medtech ecosystem that includes academic support and world-class research centres, Irish companies are well-positioned to provide the solutions that healthcare providers need, says Leo Clancy, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland, in an exclusive interview with Sree Bhat of TradeArabia. 

 

Excerpts from the interview: 

 

Question: What is a key area of expertise of Ireland within the healthcare/MedTech sector?

Leo Clancy: Our lifesciences sector has earned a global reputation for innovation and quality, with Ireland recognised as a leading hub for lifesciences and medtech.

 

In an era of unprecedented demands for pioneering innovations, Irish-owned companies are delivering solutions to tackle global healthcare challenges. From improving patient outcomes to transforming the delivery of healthcare, Irish life sciences companies are widely trusted by leading healthcare systems across the world.

 

Irish innovation is already embedded into much of the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem and many are being  exhibited at Arab Health, including:

 

* Irish company ACETECH designs innovative cloud-based fleet performance software, specialist modules for safety, eco-friendliness and asset protection, and intelligent control systems for healthcare providers and government bodies. Its scalable, integrated products enable the tracking emergency vehicles and assets, coaches safe and productive driving, and reduces fuel consumption. In December last year, ACETECH announced the signing of a multimillion-dollar contract with Bassam Trading (BTC) for a technology deal on emergency vehicles in Saudi Arabia.

 

* Medical eGuides (MEG) is another Irish company that will be exhibiting its suite of applications at Arab Health, helping Middle East providers improve healthcare quality through audit, feedback and reporting. Providing digital tools for real time results and alerts, MEG’s software also delivers training information and guidelines to educate staff at the point of care while saving time and reducing costs.

 

What is the focus of Enterprise Ireland at Arab Health?

This year, we are proud to showcase Ireland’s healthcare offering at Arab Health for the 12th consecutive year at the Irish pavilion. Sixteen leading Irish companies backed by Enterprise Ireland are showcasing an extensive array of the country’s cutting-edge healthcare innovations. The pavilion has witnessed significant interest, with healthcare practitioners from the region eager to engage with the delegation of Irish healthcare innovators.

 

To further coincide with the exhibition, we are pleased to have Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation lead a four-day trade mission to the UAE to further strengthen business ties between Ireland and the UAE.

 

What are the important solutions/technology you will showcase at Arab Health?

Irish companies continue to make a positive impact in the UAE healthcare sector across this region, working closely with their local partners. With a strong track record of delivering cutting-edge innovation in the sector, Irish companies are using their technologies to drive improvements in the quality of health outcomes, enhance productivity and develop operational efficiencies in the healthcare setting.

 

This year, we are pleased to see much progress in this, with Enterprise Ireland clients announcing new deals and partnerships within the region aligning with Arab Health including:

* A landmark five-year partnership between Medical Eguides Ltd. (MEG) and Mubadala Health to implement a quality management software system across all its Mubadala Health facilities in the UAE. The partnership marks a major step towards unifying quality and compliance processes across the Mubadala Health network, improving patient care and streamlining administrative functions.

 

* Dubai Police Headquarters has been awarded the Healthy Place to Work designation, the first official certification in the Middle East. Based in Dublin, the Irish organisation Healthy Place to Work is the recognised standard for workforce health.

 

* myPatientSpace, a leading innovative digital health company powering connected patient solutions for global healthcare providers and life sciences companies has launched a Digital Patient Support Programme in partnership with Manzil Healthcare Services.

 

* Fleming Medical has announced a partnership with Al Essa Medical Company, a Kuwait based medical equipment distributor, to provide patients with wound care, sports therapy, and diagnostics. Thereby expanding its product reach within the UAE markets through key partnerships with Al-Ain Pharmacy group, MPC Pharmacy and Med 7 Group via distribution partner, Muscat Pharmacy Training.

 

* Global supplier of software and vehicle solutions within the emergency services market, AceTech announced an upward growth of $30 million in contracts, which is set to increase over the next five years. Further total revenue has grown to $6 million a year, with additional growth anticipated with Hamad Medical Qatar, Dubai Ambulance and the Ministry of Health – Saudi Arabia.

 

* Vitalograph, the expert in pulmonary function and respiratory diagnostics that provides solutions to healthcare professionals around the world, announces the onboarding and training of four new distribution partners following the global launch of VitaloPFT Series at Arab Health last year (2023).

 

These are just a few examples of the partnerships our clients have been involved in within the region and we eagerly look forward to even more impactful developments.

 

How does Enterprise Ireland help local healthcare/MedTech providers in their efforts to enhance services/technology?

 

By creating an innovation led ecosystem, we help Irish companies in the MedTech sector to innovate, grow, and export their leading solutions worldwide to healthcare providers which in turn helps drive up patient outcomes.

 

This ecosystem includes university research, government-supported R&D centres and business collaboration which drives MedTech innovation in Ireland. 14 industry-led technology centres focus on areas such as pharma manufacturing, connected health, and composites – while incubators and accelerators are bringing big ideas to life and pioneering breakthroughs.

 

Last year, Enterprise Ireland agreed a new major strategic partnership between the UAE’s leading healthcare provider, American Hospital Dubai to pave the way for increased access to world leading healthcare innovation from Ireland.

 

This partnership will provide gateway opportunities for Irish companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to collaborate with the American Hospital Dubai to solve health challenges and increase access to cutting edge healthcare innovation. Research collaboration will focus on identifying opportunities for clinical research and clinical trial activities.

 

What are some of the major partnerships you have in the region?

Ireland and the UAE have enjoyed a longstanding relationship, including strong ties in business, trade, and the healthcare sector, and Irish innovation is already embedded into much of the region’s healthcare ecosystem.

 

Further, this week, the Minister of Trade, Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Enterprise Ireland and Dubai Chambers. This pivotal agreement is designed to further offer opportunities for clients of Enterprise Ireland to expand within the region – particularly in technology, manufacturing, ESG and clean technologies.

 

The partnership will also further strengthen Irish investment, trade, and business links in Dubai, while promoting economic and commercial relationships, paving the way for rapidly growing Irish companies to expand into the region. Finally, we hope to provide opportunities for Irish companies to connect with Dubai Chambers members.

 

Ireland is also a major player in the medical education sector. What do you offer to regional students/ institutions in this area?

Ireland has world-leading medical education providers and are playing a key role in helping healthcare professionals in the Middle East to enhance their capabilities in delivering excellence in healthcare delivery.

 

Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the promotion of Irish Higher Education Institutions overseas.

 

In the Middle East region, we are actively supporting the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland in their mission to support overseas students with their medical education in Ireland.  – TradeArabia News Service