JEDDAH, 29 May 2005 — The five-day expo on Saudi Health Care & Hospital, which opens at Jeddah International Exhibition Center today, focuses on the Kingdom’s emerging status as the largest market for health care products and equipment in the Middle East-Gulf region.
National and international health care companies and hospital equipment designers have signed up to exhibit with specific objective of reaching decision-makers in the medical sector.
“We’re also seeing a growing community of Saudi hospitals and health care providers participate in such events, particularly in response to the need for continuous improvement in the health care sector,” a top executive for a major medical company, said.
“The expo is aimed to provide a vital access point to the Saudi health care sector,” said the spokesman for Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions Ltd. (ACE), which is organizing the 13th international edition for medical, insurance, dental, pharmaceuticals, scientific equipment and labware.
More than 150 companies from over 15 countries are taking part in the biennial show. First-time participants include Brazil whose national pavilion is organized by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and officially supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Trade. Companies representing other countries include China, Slovenia, Malaysia, Australia, Britain, Pakistan, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Korea, India, the UK, Egypt and the UAE.
On the local scene, the show enjoys the support and active participation of many of the Kingdom’s related official bodies and medical societies, and a large number of government and private hospitals.
The exhibition is considered the most opportune at a time when the Saudi health sector is facing new challenges to keep up with demand, as its rapidly growing population of nearly 23 million is growing by about 3.5 percent.
The Ministry of Health is the largest buyer representing around 60 percent of the GCC market for medical products. In its last budget, the Saudi government earmarked more than $7 billion for health and social care expenditures.
Supported by the Ministry of Health, Dr. Yaser Al-Ghamdi, director general of health affairs, Makkah region, will open the expo at 5 p.m. today.
“Health care in the Kingdom: Challenges and Aspirations” is the title of a symposium being held at the show venue daily evening from May 30-June 1.
The symposium program will conclude with recommendations on the final day, with panel members comprising Dr. Yaser Al-Ghamdi, Dr. Sultan Ba-Habri, vice consultant and administrative supervisor, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Jeddah; and Dr. Adnan Al-Bar, professor family and society medicine, King Faisal University.
The exhibition is for businessmen and professionals, daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free for the symposium, which will be held between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.