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Transformation afoot
There is a major transformation taking
place in medicine. It started slowly and is now gathering pace as some of the
world’s most sophisticated and advanced medical facilities implement measures to
accommodate the change. It is a transformation that over the next few decades
will see a significant change in the way medicine is practiced, with diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up being tailored to suit each individual’s genetic
profile. Personalised Medicine, as it is being called, is being hailed as a new
wave in medical care that will significantly enhance healthcare practise and
improve outcomes for patients. We’ll all be affected, so read about this
revolution on page 26.
A very interesting development in modern medicine, particularly in this part of
the world, is medical tourism. It is being driven by the combination of the ease
of modern-day travel and increasingly high standards of medical care at some
facilities in the developing world, where many procedures can be carried out
with the same quality but for as little as a tenth of the cost of Western Europe
and North America. We speak to the President of the recently launched
International Medical Tourism Association, to find out why there is a need for
the Association and what it can do for the industry. See page 56.
Among the many news features of interest in this issue is an important one on
page 18 regarding the dire straits of Iraq’s healthcare system. The World Health
Organisation recently released a report citing the rapidly deteriorating
situation in healthcare, where nearly 70% of critically injured patients with
violence-related wounds die while in emergency and intensive care units due to
an appalling shortage of doctors and medical resources.
On page 20 we look at a proposal by the government of Yemen to raise the legal
age of marriage to 18, in an effort to reduce the high rate of maternal
mortality in the country.
Along with these top stories, you’ll also find all our regular news and reviews.
As always, do make sure of your future copies by emailing us with your
up-to-date contact details – and do keep those letters coming. While your
compliments are very welcome, all feedback is useful!
Brian Wilkie
wilkiexp@emirates.net.ae |
(Mar-Apr 2007)
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