The healthcare industry is experiencing a revolutionary transformation driven by technological advancements, with cloud technology at the forefront of this change. The advent of cloud technology has allowed healthcare providers to efficiently store, access, and analyze large amounts of data, opening new possibilities for the industry. Personalized medicine, genomics, and precision medicine are just some examples of the innovative healthcare fields that have emerged as a result of cloud-based solutions.
While the Middle East has made remarkablef progress in modernising their healthcare systems, the industry still holds tremendous potential for further innovation. Cloud technology has become an increasingly popular solution in this region, offering new avenues for improvement. The combined digital-health market in Saudi Arabia and UAE could reach $4 billion by 2026, according to McKinsey estimates.
The UAE serves as a prominent example of a Middle Eastern country that has prioritised healthcare modernisation. The country has implemented various initiatives, such as the UAE Vision 2021 and the National Health Agenda, that seek to enhance healthcare quality and access.
Modernising care for better health outcomes
Personalised medicine involves analysing a patient’s DNA to identify genetic variations that may affect their health or response to certain treatments. By leveraging cloud technology, healthcare providers can quickly and easily analyse large volumes of genetic data, allowing them to create tailored treatment plans for individual patients. This has resulted in a significant shift towards personalised medicine, which tailors medical treatments to a patient’s unique genetic makeup and lifestyle.
Genomics is another area where cloud technology is driving innovation. For example, AWS has introduced Amazon Omics, which provides a secure and scalable platform for storing, sharing, and analysing genomic data. Cloud technology has transformed the field of genomics by enabling researchers and clinicians to access and analyse vast amounts of genomic data quickly and cost-effectively. With platforms like Amazon Omics, scientists can now access and analyse genomic data from diverse populations worldwide, enabling them to identify patterns and correlations that were previously impossible to detect. This has led to the discovery of new disease-causing genes, the development of more accurate diagnostic tests, and the creation of personalised treatment plans based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup.
An example of a company that has realised the benefit of genomics is G42 Healthcare, which has collaborated with AWS to offer global genomics services. This collaboration brings together G42 Healthcare’s expertise in genomics and AWS’s cloud capabilities, allowing for the analysis of genomic data from diverse populations worldwide.
Providing unmatched reliability, security, and data privacy
Cloud technology has empowered real-time and on-demand access to medical information and resources. This increased accessibility has empowered patients to take a more active role in their healthcare by providing them with a comprehensive understanding of their medical conditions, diagnoses, and treatments. As a result, patients can make informed decisions regarding their health and engage in preventative measures to maintain their well-being.
Moreover, cloud technology enables healthcare providers to share medical information and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, enhancing the quality of patient care. Cloud-based solutions have also made it easier for patients to manage chronic conditions by providing them with real-time access to vital health data, such as blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and medication schedules. This level of accessibility and convenience has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs by enabling patients to stay on top of their healthcare needs and minimise the risk of hospitalisation.
The power of cloud
Cloud-based technology has the potential to not only transform, but also change the healthcare industry for the better. The entire health ecosystem can rely on the strength of cloud technology and tools as a backbone that allows it to reinvent how to collaborate, make data-driven clinical and operational decisions, enable precision medicine, and decrease the cost of care. This can ultimately lead to a more efficient and effective healthcare system that benefits both patients and providers.
Wojciech Bajda is the Managing Director – Public Sector Middle East and Africa at AWS. Under Bajda’s leadership, the AWS Public Sector team supports and empowers government, education, healthcare, and other key sectors as they modernise their missions with the cloud. Whether it’s to better serve citizens, or build the future cloud workforce, they work with customers and partners to help make the world a better place and improve the lives of citizens, students, patients, and individuals in need through innovative technologies.
