Tasneem Mahmoud: Saudi Arabia putting the sustainable healthcare at the centre stage

Healthcare would be the world's fifth-largest emitter if it were a nation. Achieving the globally agreed-upon goals to limit global temperature increases will require the healthcare sector to acknowledge its contribution and play a key role in reducing emissions.

Because it is possible to deliver life-changing medicine in a way that is both respectful of our planet and beneficial to society, AstraZeneca is taking significant steps to reduce its carbon impact.

The Ambition Zero Carbon initiative has a US$1 billion budget to reduce carbon emissions to zero and strengthen supply chain resilience. AstraZeneca has updated its climate plan to reflect the most recent findings in the biotechnology industry. As one of the first seven businesses in the world, it has had its net-zero targets verified through the Science-Based Targets initiative under the new corporate standard Net-Zero.

The 2030 vision of the KSA’s is based on three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. And health and well-being is considered one of the sustainable goals.

Stretching further on the topic, Tasneem Mahmoud, Healthcare Technology Management Consultant in Saudi Arabia, “Since sustainability has been central to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the country has been working towards its goal of net zero emissions by 2060, Decrease carbon emissions by more than 278 mtpa and increasing the domestic generation capacity from renewable energy to 50% by 2030.

“This vision, I believe, in addition to using more eco-friendly materials in hospital layouts will include a safe way to dispose of end-of-life medical technology and medical waste. From where I sit, I can say with confidence that greater efforts have been made to enhance utilization, as well as to adopt artificial intelligence and the newest technologies in the most environmentally responsible manner possible. 

“Although I agree that the Middle East has a long way to go before reaching the net-zero goal, I also believe that it now has a greater opportunity to increase its efforts in the correct directions.”

“Ultimately, it is about values re-engineering when it comes to innovation and sustainability,” she said.

While comparing Saudi Arabia to Middle East Region, she opined “The Saudi government has a crystal-clear plan for implementing more environmentally friendly policies, thanks to vision 2030. in particular with regards to the reshaping of data and the incorporation of AI.”

As a biomedical engineer, Mahmoud, works on hospital projects from the ground up, “I've participated in many builds' conceptualisation and realisation stages,” she said. 

“I used to determine what kind of medical equipment and furnishings would best serve the end user, then design projects around those needs. 

My work includes providing civil, electrical, and mechanical engineers with all the technical data and drawings they needed to create the MEP designs, as well as taking into account the site's specific safety and environmental constraints, such as traditional shielding, humidity, noise level, etc,” she said.

“We recommend the most suitable space to accommodate approved medical technology based on accredited international standards and guidelines. 

“When it comes to renovation projects, I conduct technical assessments of existing medical technology and make recommendations for its reuse, based on technical records and a history of patient safety concerns.,” she added further.

Women Dominate The Healthcare Sector

“There has been a vast presence of women in medical professionals for a long time. But the construction sector was limited to men in many Middle East countries until a few years ago. 

“This vision for 2030 highlights Saudi women as a vital component of the Kingdom's strength, with the goal of cultivating their abilities and encouraging them to employ their energy and resources in ways that will benefit society at large. Nothing else can be done but to promote this value in all sectors.

Many steps have been made in Sudan since 1956 in order to realise this vision. 

“Despite the unstable economic and political situation, we are pioneers in empowering women in many fields, including construction, which she entered decades ago,” said Mahmoud. 

The Healthcare Sector Should Adopt Long-Term Sustainable Solutions

Aspiring and enthusiastic healthcare professionals in the Middle East and Africa have come together to create an advocacy board that will revolutionise healthcare access by introducing new, consistent, sustainable, and individualised approaches. Access to Healthcare Board members come from government, regulatory, commercial, and societal sectors with a vested interest in developing and standardising monitoring solutions and programmes for healthcare access. 

Key strategic members of the Board will contribute information, knowledge, insights, guidance, and valuable inputs towards the realisation of the Board's suggested solutions. Members work across boundaries to improve healthcare delivery and access, as well as address related inefficiencies.

In addition to tackling the unmet needs and challenges of the healthcare system and patients, the Access to Healthcare Board raises awareness of access solutions for patients, particularly those who are chronically ill and require specialised care and treatment.

Commenting further on adding more sustainable solutions, Mahmoud stated, “The goal of the healthcare sector transformation programme is to improve health and beneficiary services, which will lead to a more prosperous and secure future, by concentrating on four main areas: expanding access to healthcare, boosting the quality and efficiency of healthcare, reducing the likelihood of health risks, and bolstering the security of the transportation system. 

“Adopting an effective integrated system is crucial to establishing a sustainable health system, as it will enable data sharing, ensure access to consistent information, and reduce duplication of services by integrating various healthcare systems across facilities. And without a doubt, this will increase the use of AI and adoption of big data solutions.”

Mahmoud believes that the region is ready for robotic surgery using augmented reality and 3D printing solutions in general and this will add another sustainable punch to the healthcare sector.

Solar and wind power are two renewable energy sources that can be used in the Middle East without a colossal outlay of capital. Unfortunately, little progress has been made in this area, and only a small percentage of healthcare providers may be using renewable energy sources. In the future, the region would like to see this altered. Even though there is potential for hospitals and other healthcare facilities in the Middle East to switch to alternative energy sources, few of them currently use this new renewable energy.

Advanced Technology Going To Drive This Sector

The goal of the new programme is to use cutting-edge technology so that patients don't have to journey so far for treatment. The term "smart medicine" is used to describe the use of a broad range of electronic means to provide remote medical and health care. 

A hospital patient, for instance, can talk to a doctor, get a second and third opinion from experts halfway around the world, and get their medication dispensed by a robot pharmacy. What was once thought of as science fiction has become a fact in Dubai in 2017 with the adoption of many of these ground-breaking techniques to enhance patient treatment, efficiency, and costs.

Further elaborating on such technology, Mahmoud said, “There is a general trend towards investing in cutting-edge equipment and methods across the board in the field of medicine in the GCC. Robotic Surgery, TomoTherapy, magnetoencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), 3D Printing, and the impending implementation of Proton Therapy are just a few examples of what is considered unique and high-tech technologies where I work. Presently, there exists a widespread trend towards investing in cutting-edge technology, particularly in Saudi Arabia.”

Digital transformation solutions are being rapidly adopted by the Saudi healthcare industry. Data scientists and AI engineers have seen new job openings in the healthcare industry and at big consulting firms like McKinsey, PwC and BCG as a direct result of vision 2030. 

Many people in the Middle East believe that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the best place to capitalise on both the market and the grid's current possibilities. The evaluation of KPIs in medical devices often requires sifting through large amounts of data. Additionally, the widespread use of HRIS standardisation grows. Because of this, a decision-making solution built on AI is required.

Tasneem Mahmood is an expert Biomedical Engineer with over 15 years of hybrid experience in the academic field and healthcare technology management, a PhD student at Brunel University (UK) and a mother of 3 who, apparently, does not have much free time, but when she does, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, and going for walks.