The leading healthcare providers in the Middle East region should focus on delivering greater efficiencies than focusing on expanding to luxury facilities, a conference has observed.

Leading professionals and healthcare executives attended the ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Healthcare Management’ roundtable organided by  Methodist International, a division of The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, and Middle East Health, a dedicated healthcare magazine.

Among key participants were Al Noor Hospital, Stantec, Cyril Sweett International (CSI), GE Healthcare, DM Healthcare, Oasis Hospital, and TAHPI. 

Middle East Health editor Callan Emery moderated the discussion which included an expert commentary by Dr Sarper Tanli, Methodist International’s executive director for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. 

The discussions allowed the participants to share their insights on the current status of the healthcare industry in the region. The participants were unanimous in their outlook that designing efficient and better solutions were the key to enhancing management efficiencies in 2011 and beyond.

Dr Tanli said: “Healthcare operators still experience significant challenges in planning for the future as there is a lack of data and the systems to facilitate data collection and analysis.” 

Other participants pointed out that the private sector has witnessed growth during the economic slowdown. However, the competition is high and only those who focus on delivering quality services in an efficient manner will survive.

The roundtable highlighted the challenges that are hindering ongoing growth. These included the recruitment of qualified staff to fill the demand for healthcare professionals in the region, cumbersome regulations and processes for licensing healthcare professionals and facilities, and a lack of a clear, long term vision. - TradeArabia News Service