GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and start-up event, is well-underway in Dubai.
The five-day annual event witnessed an exclusive interaction with Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy. During the conferences, some exciting announcements were also made such as the UAE’s first metaverse hospital and a sneak peek into how robotics is transforming surgery.
GITEX: UAE minister spotlights importance of talent
Talent is the “fuel” for any economy, said UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri during a keynote address at GITEX Global.
The UAE minister then highlighted that UAE is making “huge” investments in research and development and supporting talent development through its focus on science and technology.
Sharing the country’s macroeconomic outlook, he noted that the UAE experienced one of the fastest recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic, while foreign trade surpassed AED 1 trillion in H1 2022. The UAE expects 6.5 percent GDP growth by the end of 2022, including a rise of 4.3 percent for the non-oil sector, he said.
GITEX: UAE’s first metaverse hospital
Thumbay Group, a diversified international business conglomerate, announced a number of futuristic initiatives at GITEX GLOBAL.
The group is working on building a full-fledged virtual hospital in the metaverse to provide patients with an immersive healthcare experience. From multiple doctors consulting a case in a virtual clinic to first aid and preventive health programs using AR/VR and AI technologies, the metaverse hospital aims to provide state-of-the-art healthcare backed by cutting-edge technology and research. Phase one of the project is expected to go live by the end of 2022.
GITEX: Robotics transforms surgery
A total of 230 operations have been carried out in the UAE using Da Vinci surgical robotics since 2019, the first Emirati surgeon licensed to use the technology told the GITEX GLOBAL audience.
Dr Muna Kashwani, specialist at the gynecology department of Al Qassimi Women and Children Hospital in Sharjah, said that operating the Da Vinci technology enabled her to carry out highly precise and effective bloodless operations using just a single-entry point.
“Robotics can play an important role in the future of surgery, with a transatlantic operation already having been carried out in France using Da Vinci technology operated remotely from the US,” she said.
She added that autonomous robotic operations are already possible for hard tissue such as bone.
