Artificial intelligence will be used increasingly to relieve pressure on “overwhelmed” public healthcare systems around the world, a leading Mubadala executive has said.
Mina Hamoodi, head of healthcare at the Abu Dhabi investment company, said the technology would not, however, replace doctors, and would be adopted gradually to “help optimise” health care.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ms Hamoodi told The National that AI was “a big focus” for Mubadala, which was investing in innovative healthcare companies that make use of emerging technology.
Investors including Mubadala could put capital into businesses that “help advance health care and deal with some of the challenges” facing the sector, she said.
“Because there are challenges,” she added. “I think the public healthcare system globally is overwhelmed. There’s rising demand for healthcare services. We have generally an ageing population, rising incidence of chronic diseases.
“So there’s definitely a role, an important role, that AI and technology can play in alleviating some of the challenges.”
There has been increasing research into the use of AI to diagnose diseases by analysing scans, because the technology can be trained rapidly on thousands of images.
Ms Hamoodi predicted that there would be a “gradual integration” of the technology into health care and it would “augment and help optimise” the sector.
“I don’t see that extreme case of suddenly moving towards AI-powered doctors … I think in health care it'll be probably a slow and steady progression of how we adopt AI and technology. It needs to be thoughtfully done,” she said.
I don’t see that extreme case of suddenly we’re moving towards AI-powered doctors. It'll be a slow and steady progression of how we adopt AI and technology
Mina Hamoodi
Ms Hamoodi noted that technology, such as telemedicine consultations, that once seemed “foreign” in the UAE was increasingly accepted. She praised the country’s health officials for having a forward-looking attitude to tech.
Among Mubadala’s AI-related healthcare investments has been the purchase of a nearly €270 million ($336 million) stake in Evotec, which uses AI in drug development.
AI can also be used in healthcare IT to cut waste in countries including in the US, where Ms Hamoodi said an estimated $1 trillion a year – out of $4.9 trillion in annual healthcare spending – was lost because of “administrative complexity” and “pricing failures”.
Last year, Mubadala invested in Zelis, which Ms Hamoodi said provided an AI-powered “digital platform that connects payers, providers and patients to make payments much more seamless”.
“One of the more frustrating aspects for patients in the US is navigating the financial journey of health care," she added. "So that’s one example of a business that’s tech-enabled that’s helping to address some of these challenges and contain healthcare costs.
“I think we've all heard of the sort of tug of war that you do have in the US between insurers and hospitals and patients. And what a pain point that can be. So this is obviously a business of the future that you’re looking ahead to.”
The US and Europe were the initial focus of Mubadala’s international healthcare investments, but there has since been a shift towards Asia. The fund has also been looking for rapidly growing healthcare sectors in which it has not previously made heavy investments, with capital used in “outsourced pharma services”.
“We invested in businesses across that entire pharma drug-development value chain. And really the premise was, how can we get exposure to the high-growth world of pharma and biotech without taking the binary risk of just one or two products?”
Mubadala has been “riding the wave of innovation” and helping companies to bring products to market at a time when new forms of drugs have emerged, including biologics, made from living organisms.
Early last year it was among three funds that bought a minority stake in Manipal Health Enterprises, described as India’s second-largest hospital chain.
Mubadala has also invested in the Chinese healthcare market for more than a decade. A current interest is the operation of multinational pharmaceutical companies that are choosing to focus on their core markets.
“We see an opportunity to buy those portfolios and create a dedicated China platform or pan-Asia platform and we’ve made a couple of deals in that space with a partner called CBC Group,” Ms Hamoodi added.
Ms Hamoodi, who joined Mubadala’s healthcare arm in 2012, is currently involved in global healthcare projects, but was initially part of a division that focused on investments within the UAE.
She said the UAE had spent a “significant amount of money” sending Emirati patients abroad for treatment, so authorities in the country have made efforts to plug gaps in healthcare access and quality. That includes setting up Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2015, and the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in the capital.
“The first part of our journey within Mubadala is really investing in, upgrading and enhancing the UAE healthcare system,” she said.
For Cleveland Clinic, she said “there were lots of trips back and forth between Abu Dhabi and Cleveland” to understand the US model of care, how that could be imported to Abu Dhabi, and how it could offer speciality care not previously available in the UAE.
The hospital, where Ms Hamoodi is a board member, reached a milestone in 2023 with the opening of the Fatima bint Mubarak Centre, which is named after the Mother of the Nation and specialises in cancer care. Last month Jill Biden, US first lady at the time, visited the centre.
Ms Hamoodi said it was now possible for complex cases that previously required overseas care to be treated in the UAE. Many doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi trained in the US before moving to the UAE.
“That's one that we're very proud of, because of the transformational impact it’s had, not just to the UAE, but the wider region,” Ms Hamoodi said. "It’s truly the same calibre and quality of care that you would get in Cleveland."
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Ten10 Cricket League
Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17
Teams
Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan
Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad
Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider
Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider
Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah
Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
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Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
FULL%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEslam%20Syaha%20(EGY)%20bt%20Robin%20Roos%20(SWE)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EWelterweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAlex%20da%20Silva%20(BRA)%20bt%20Bagyash%20Zharmamatov%20(KGZ)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EMurodov%20Samandar%20(TJK)%20bt%20Lucas%20Sampaio%20(BRA)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EShakhban%20Alkhasov%20(RUS)%20bt%20Salamat%20Orozakunov%20(KGZ)%0D%3Cbr%3EKhotamjon%20Boynazarov%20(UZB)%20bt%20Mikail%20Bayram%20(FRA)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EJieleyisi%20Baergeng%20(CHN)%20bt%20Xavier%20Alaoui%20(CAN)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERashid%20Vagabov%20(RUS)%20bt%20Lun%20Qui%20(CHN)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EYamato%20Fujita%20(JPN)%20bt%20Furkatbek%20Yokubov%20(UZB)%20%0D%3Cbr%3EAaron%20Aby%20(WLS)%20bt%20Joevincent%20So%20(PHI)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20176lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMark%20Hulm%20(RSA)%20bt%20Erkin%20Darmenov%20(KAZ)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20160lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERustam%20Serbiev%20(BEL)%20bt%20Anar%20Huseyinov%20(AZE)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECatchweight%20150lb%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIslam%20Reda%20(EGY)%20bt%20Ernie%20Braca%20(PHI)%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFlyweight%20(women)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%0D%3Cbr%3EBaktygul%20Kurmanbekova%20(KGZ)%20bt%20Maria%20Eugenia%20Zbrun%20(ARG)%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
