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Meeting highlights:
- Abbott’s Commitment to Healthcare Innovation: Abbott’s commitment to innovative healthcare solutions to improve lives in the region.
- Centralized Healthcare Through Clusters: Saudi Arabia's successful transformation efforts leading to centralized healthcare models through clusters.
- Abbott’s Legacy in Saudi Arabia: Abbott's long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia since 1958.
- Evolving Product Portfolio for Local and Global Needs: Evolution of Abbott's product portfolio to address global and local health challenges
- Advancing Preventive Care Through Wearables: Wearable health devices and digital health solutions to shift from treatment-focused care to prevention-focused care.
- Empowering Healthcare Professionals Through Education: Supporting continuous education for healthcare professionals, reaching over 35,000 Saudi healthcare professionals through various educational programs.
- Driving Vision 2030 Through Digitization and Talent Development: Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 by contributing to healthcare automation, digitization, and talent development to support the Kingdom's transformation journey.
- Rising Demand for Diagnostics and Lab Services: Increasing need for diagnostics and laboratories driven by disease prevention initiatives, as evidenced during COVID-19.
- Collaboration and Innovation for Vision 2030 Success: The role of collaboration and innovation as key drivers for achieving shared goals under Vision 2030.
EF: Islam, you've had a remarkable 20-year career at Abbott, with the last 4 years as Managing Director. Can you share more about your career journey and leadership experience?
IJ: I began my career at Abbott 20 years ago as an engineer, and over the years, I've had the privilege of working in various roles that have allowed me to serve our customers in different ways. The journey with Abbott has been incredibly rewarding. Our focus has always been on driving growth and delivering innovative healthcare solutions to help people live fuller lives.
EF: Abbott has a long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia. Can you tell us more about the company's history and current operations in the Kingdom?
IJ: Abbott is a global healthcare leader dedicated to helping people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritional products, and medicines.
For over 60 years, we have proudly contributed to Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector, and we take immense pride in being a strategic healthcare partner to the Kingdom. We contribute to the development of the healthcare sector through a variety of national health programs and activities. Today, our team of over 400 people are working relentlessly to ensure that the people we serve have access to our trusted products and services.
In addition to our long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia through our offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, we inaugurated a Regional Headquarters in Riyadh in 2023. This strategic step underscores our commitment to supporting our consumers and customers, enhancing our ability to serve the people better by being closer to them.
Our presence also contributes to the local economy by creating job opportunities. We are proud to be committed not only to patients in the region but also to our employees, by being a Top Employer in KSA since 2019.
EF: What does Abbott's product portfolio look like, and how does it cater to the Saudi Arabian market?
IJ: Our product portfolio is diverse, from removing the pain of fingersticks for people living with diabetes through our continuous glucose monitoring system to connecting patients with doctors in real-time information monitoring their hearts, from easing chronic pain and movement disorders to testing half the world’s blood donations, our purpose is to make the world a healthier place by bringing life-changing health technologies to the people who need them.
Abbott is at the forefront of wearable health devices, aligning with the global trend of digitization and proactive health monitoring. This innovation is expected to drive growth, especially in diabetes care. More than 10 years ago, Abbott revolutionized diabetes care with the breakthrough FreeStyle Libre CGM system – our first biowearable and now the world’s most widely-used Continuous Glucose Monitor.
We have a long history of bringing global innovations into Saudi Arabia. Our latest digital health solutions are at the forefront of healthcare automation and digitization, helping healthcare institutions shift from a treatment-focused model to a prevention-focused model of care. This shift aims to improve health outcomes and achieve long-term cost savings, aligning with the sustainability goals of the healthcare sector.
And we are pursuing a clear roadmap to advance our local manufacturing capabilities in branded generic medicines and science-based nutrition products.
EF: How does Abbott support the continuous education of healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia?
IJ: We are committed to supporting healthcare professionals in the Kingdom. Through ongoing medical educational programs, we have reached over 35,000 Saudi healthcare professionals. These programs aim to raise awareness of new research and advancements in areas such as nutrition, pharmaceuticals, diabetes care, and diagnostics. This commitment is part of our broader goal to upgrade the knowledge and skills of the Saudi medical community.
EF: What is Abbott's approach to increasing life expectancy in Saudi Arabia?
IJ: We believe that shifting to prevention-focused care models is key to increasing life expectancy. By focusing on preventive care, healthcare systems can improve patient outcomes and result in long-term cost savings. This approach aligns with our commitment to delivering innovative healthcare solutions that enhance the quality of life for the people we serve.
EF: How does Abbott align its goals with Saudi Vision 2030?
IJ: Abbott is fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to continue to be a leading and strategic partner to the Kingdom by enriching our portfolio with new products, and developing local Saudi talent. Our efforts contribute significantly to the Kingdom's transformation journey, particularly in healthcare automation and digitization.
EF: What advice would you give to other business leaders looking to invest in the region in Healthcare?
IJ: Continuous medical education and the adoption of digital innovation are crucial for driving efficiency and improving healthcare services.
The industry is shifting from a capital expenditure (CAPEX) model to an operational expenditure (OPEX) model, where services are bundled in one place. There is a growing trend of moving from simply providing technology to offering full-service solutions, including operations, staffing, and management. While the success of this model in the Middle East remains to be seen, it is clear that the healthcare sector is evolving towards a more centralized and service-driven approach.
EF: Finally, what message would you like to share with the healthcare sector?
IJ: My message to the sector is one of optimism and commitment. I encourage continued collaboration and innovation to achieve our shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Together, we can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the people we serve.
