PN07/2012

23 January 2012

Lord Darzi promotes innovative UK health companies across the Middle East

Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, a world leader in robotic surgery and an advocate of the adoption of new healthcare innovation, is attending Arab Health 2012 to promote the UK’s excellence in healthcare, manufacture and services as the UK’s Business Ambassador for Healthcare and Life Sciences.

Arab Health Exhibition and Congress is the largest health care exhibition in the Middle East, the second largest in the world and it will be taking place 23 - 26 January 2012 in Dubai. The Middle East and Gulf States are increasingly seen as an attractive market for UK companies and a number of UK companies are using the show to exhibit in the region for the first time. This year 213 UK companies are exhibiting at Arab Health - the biggest ever UK delegation to attend the show.

Speaking about the UK’s excellence in healthcare Lord Darzi of Denham said:

“The Middle East has long been a key trading partner for the UK, not only because it is one of the largest markets for medical equipment and healthcare products, but also because no other region in the world faces such rapid growth in demand for the latest technologies.”

“The UK is well placed to meet these challenges. Its medical technology sector, which comprises some 3,000 companies, is highly diversified and innovative. Between them, these businesses produce a range of products from high-tech equipment for advanced imaging and diagnosis to surgical instruments - testament to the wealth and breadth of the UK’s capabilities to deliver a range of healthcare solutions to meet Middle Eastern needs.”

“Arab Health 2012, where I will support a UK delegation, is an ideal platform from which to showcase the UK’s capabilities in the latest technologies and healthcare solutions.”

Demand for meetings with the UK from potential overseas partners is higher than ever before, which is great news. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has already helped arranged over 350 one-to-one business meetings.

On display at the UK Pavilion will be:

• Benmor Medical’s new “Aurum” bariatric bed which has been designed to facilitate safe and efficient care of the larger patient whose body weight and / or exceeds that of a standard bed.

• Safe Patient System’s new “Safe Mobile Care” a mobile phone solution to monitor patients at home.

• “OvuSense“ a new advanced fertility monitor from Fertility Focus.

• Max Medical’s new self-monitoring blood pressure device featuring colour LCD display, a power saving mode, one touch automatic measurement using Oscillometric measurement methodology and a semiconductor pressure sensor.

NHS Global will be part of the UK delegation for the first time at Arab Health. This is a new organisation that works in partnership with government departments, including UKTI, to coordinate the UK’s healthcare’s offering to deliver healthcare solutions to international governments and organisations.

Notes to editors

• At the UKTI Pavilion it will be possible to meet some of the UK firms, including Physicool and Neoligaments, whose technologies are helping athletes taking part in to recover from injury and also treat medical conditions. Physicool bandages, for example, are not only used by sportspeople to aid recovery from injury and intensive training but also in the medical field to assist in recovery after orthopaedic surgery by reducing swelling and pain.

• The UK is very strongly represented by companies selling infection control and disinfectants for use in hospitals, diagnostic equipment and kits, laboratory technology, medical devices, patient care equipment for use in hospital wards and surgical instruments.

• Britain is not only home to world-leading life science companies, it is consistently ranked as having one of the best business environments in the world, illustrated by the fact that more than half of all European headquarters of all global companies are based in the UK.

• NHS Global is a new organisation that works in partnership with government departments, including UKTI, to coordinate the UK’s healthcare’s offering to deliver healthcare solutions to international governments and organisations. In particular NHS Global aims to strengthen both commercial and philanthropic activity overseas by offering support and advice to NHS organisations wishing to compete in the global market, in addition to building and growing the NHS brand and reputation globally.

• UK Trade & Investment, the Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy and assists overseas companies to bring their high-quality investment to the UK, have an exhibition stand in the main concourse which will act as the main focal point for the UK's presence, showcasing UK companies and direct buyers to the UK pavilions.  We are also bringing 12 commercial officers from 12 markets to the show to introduce them to a range of UK companies.

Media contact

For more information and photographs of the products at Arab Health, please contact Denise Rawls at UKTI 020 7215 4644 or e-mail denise.rawls@ukti.gsi.gov.uk.