Qatar ahead of the curve in move to incorporate private-sector funding Qatar ahead of the curve in

84 Pages·2015·15.04 MB·English

Serving the region for 40 years May-June 2015
www.MiddleEastHealthMag.com
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In the News:
• Stem cell treatment trial for MS patients shows some ‘miraculous’ results
• Scientists discover viral ‘enigma machine’
• Organs-on-a-chip goes on display in New York’s Museum of Modern Art
Bahrain BD3, Egypt £E40, Iran IRR75, Iraq IQD9,400, Jordan JD5, Kuwait KD3, Lebanon LBP12,000, Oman RO3, Qatar QR30, Saudi Arabia SR30, Syria £S400, UAE Dh30, Yemen YR1,600

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Prognosis
Serving the region for 40 years May-June 2015
Publisher
Michael Hurst
Electronic health data
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Editor
Callan Emery
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While doctors in India deliver medical diagnoses via Whats App,
smartphone apps are used for medical imaging, and electronic health Editorial and Production
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records become the norm, information technology is being fine-tuned
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in every area of healthcare delivery. However, as with all digital in-
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Healthcare funding is a complex issue, but one thing is clear – it
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Researchers are testing a new stem cell treatment on multiple scle- Tel: [phone] n Fax:[phone]
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M I D D L E E A S T H E A L T H I5
contents
Serving the region for 40 years May-June 2015
42
28
NEWS
8 Middle East Monitor
12 Worldwide Monitor
18 The Laboratory
NEWS FEATURES
23 Yemen: Healthcare struggles in face of conflict
24 Syria: More now die from lack of healthcare than conflict
26 Has Syria really beaten polio?
28 International spread of polio remains a threat
30 World tobacco and health conference focuses on NCDs 30
32 Ebola update
33 Influenza update
34 AIDS update
35 MERS update
72 Researches discover viral ‘enigma machine’
73 Trial stem cell treatment for MS shows some ‘miraculous’ results
FEATURES
36 Qatar Report: Ahead of the curve
46 Surgery: Research round-up
40 United States Report: US hospitals forge two-way street
with Middle East
60 Women’s Health: Breast cancer research findings
62 Healthcare Information Systems: How secure is your data?
COLUMNS
70 Roche
71 Durbin
THE BACK OF THE MAG
75 On the Pulse
78 The Back Page
79 Agenda
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middle east monitor
Update from around the region
stroyed and face an uncertain future. Many medical clinics, procured through fund-
of these people are particularly vulnerable: ing from Saudi Arabia, to deliver primary
young children, pregnant women, people healthcare services to IDPs in remote ar-
with disabilities, the elderly, and those eas; and 15 ambulances to support the re-
who need life-saving treatment for diseases ferral system in the camps for IDPs; and
like cancer, diabetes and heart conditions. medicines and medical supplies for 1.2
WHO has an established presence on the million beneficiaries. Together with Iraqi
ground in Dohuk and is working with health authorities, more than 5.6 million
Dr Ala Alwan,
health authorities and partners to improve children have been vaccinated against po-
Regional
Director, access for all affected populations to health lio and 3.9 million children against mea-
WHO EMRO care and services they urgently need.” sles, through national and sub-national
Over the past three years, Dohuk has seen immunization campaigns.
WHO regional director
its population increase by almost 20%, host- “While much has been achieved in Iraq,
inaugurates primary healthcare ing more than 50% of all Syrian refugees in much more needs to be done,” noted Dr
centre in Dohuk, Iraq Iraq and receiving more than half a million Alwan. “With additional funding, we will
displaced Iraqis since June 2014, accounting be able to reach more people and save
WHO’s Regional Director for the East- for almost 30% of the total number of IDPs more lives.”
ern Mediterranean, Dr Ala Alwan, vis- in the entire country. There are currently 17 More than five million people in Iraq are
ited Dohuk governorate of the Kurdistan IDP camps in Dohuk, with many IDPs also in need of humanitarian and health ser-
region of Iraq to officially hand over 15 living among host communities and in public vices. Of the US$314.2 million required
ambulances and two mobile medical clin- spaces, such as abandoned buildings and un- by the health sector, only US$95.5 million
ics to Dohuk health authorities. The do- used schools. As a result of the influx of IDPs has been received (30.4%), leaving a criti-
nation will provide health services and in Dohuk, the health system is overwhelmed, cal funding gap of US$218.7 million.
medical treatments for more than 60,000 with an increase of more than 65% of the
beneficiaries for three months. patient caseload on existing health facilities. Rashid Centre for Disabled signs MOU with
Following the hand-over ceremony, Dr Key public health concerns among af- Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City
Alwan visited Bajet Kandala camp for in- fected populations in Dohuk include in- The reputed Rashid Centre for the Dis-
ternally displaced persons (IDPs) and met creased risk of communicable diseases abled, a humanitarian mission for 300 chil-
with families to hear first-hand accounts of due to overcrowded living conditions, in- dren with special needs since 1994, signed
their urgent health needs and inaugurate the creased risk of mortality or complications a Memorandum of Understanding with the
primary healthcare centre established with as a result of untreated chronic conditions prestigious healthcare organization Sultan
financial support from WHO. The Kurd- such as diabetes, chronic respiratory dis- Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City of Riyadh,
istan Minister of Health, Dr Rekawt Hama ease and cancer; and increased need for Saudi Arabia, in order to work collabora-
Rasheed, and the renowned Iraqi musician, mental health services for those suffering tively to promote and advance the mission
Naseer Shamma, visited the camp and is from grief, non-pathological distress, de- of Enabling the Disabled. The Sultan Abdu-
raising funds for the WHO through fund- pression, and anxiety disorders, including laziz Humanitarian City, a 400-bed rehabili-
raising concerts to raise awareness about the post-traumatic stress disorder. tation hospital and medical centre formed in
serious humanitarian situation. To prevent the spread of communica- 2002, caters to both in- and outpatients.
Dr Rasheed thanked WHO for the most ble diseases, especially in areas with high This partnership aims to jointly develop
recent donations, saying: “I would like to concentrations of IDPs, the WHO has and co-ordinate medical, educational and
acknowledge the commitment and tremen- strengthened the communicable disease training programmes for both patients and
dous efforts WHO has been making to re- surveillance system throughout the gover- staff and to increase the scope and quality
spond to the urgent needs of the displaced norate. In partnership with UNICEF and of rehabilitation care in Dubai and beyond.
population. This donation of mobile clinics the Dohuk Directorate of Health, more The MOU will enable an exchange of ex-
and 15 ambulances will improve the deliv- than 254,000 children under five years pertise, development of programmes and
ery of health services to vulnerable popula- of age were immunized against polio and expansion of the complex with further mu-
tions, mostly in out-of-reach areas.” 216,000 children under five years of age tual growth.
“It is critical to respond urgently to the immunized against measles, during the Mr Abdullah Hamed Bin Zarah (CEO,
lack of basic health services for the in- most recent vaccination campaign from 22 Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City)
ternally displaced Iraqi population,” said February to 10 March 2015 targeting the and Mrs Mariam Othman (Director Gen-
Dr Alwan. “Millions of men, women and host community, IDPs and Syrian refugees. eral, Rashid Centre for Disabled) signed
children have had their lives needlessly de- WHO provided a total of four mobile the MOU at Rashid’s premises at the end
8 I M I D D L E E A S T H E A L T H