EXCLUSIVE Tech ‘Full support’ for Abu Dhabi biotech tie-up with Israel Abu Dhabi would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Israel to accelerate the development of biotechnology capabilities in the UAE. Dr Dirk Richter, senior advisor and director of health sector innovation with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, said the emirate is “really open” to forging a partnership with the likes of the Hadassah Medical […] October 27, 2022
Analysis PureGym eyes up to 130 branches as part of Mena expansion UK-based fitness brand PureGym has revealed plans to open branches in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), beginning in the UAE but with Egypt, Kuwait and Oman also on the radar. The company has signed an agreement with its franchise partner, Ektimal, to open at least 130 gyms across the region over the next […] October 26, 2022
Economy China’s Xi talks up security, COVID stance as congress opens Chinese President Xi Jinping called for accelerating the building of a world-class military while touting the fight against COVID-19 as he kicked off a Communist Party Congress by focussing heavily on security and reiterating policy priorities. Xi, 69, is widely expected to win a third leadership term at the conclusion of the week-long congress that […] October 17, 2022
Opinion Employment Companies must find ways to improve workplace wellbeing Investing in staff wellbeing will be small compared to the costs associated with replacing top performers, rising health insurance premiums, and increased absenteeism October 14, 2022
Health Saudi to offer $12.7bn worth of health projects to private sector Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health is planning to approve 100 projects in cooperation with the private sector over the next five years, the state-owned Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing health minister Fahad Al-Jalajel. These projects will be worth around SAR 48 billion ($12.7 billion), he said, adding it includes the establishment of two medical […] October 11, 2022
Health UAE hospital operator Burjeel in share surge on $300m IPO debut The healthcare firm offered 11% of its shares on the ADX as proceeds from Middle Eastern IPOs continue to rise, bucking the global trend October 10, 2022
World Cup 2022 Qatar to intensify labour inspections during World Cup Qatar will intensify labour inspections during the soccer World Cup including extra health and safety checks to protect workers from exploitation, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said on Wednesday. Rights groups and labour unions have warned that hospitality, transport and security workers are especially vulnerable during the month-long tournament, the first held in a […] October 6, 2022
French cities to ban Qatar World Cup fan zones Several major French cities including Lille, Strasbourg and Bordeaux said they will not organise fan zones or put up giant outdoor screens to show Qatar World Cup soccer matches in protest against ecological and humanitarian issues. Leftist and ecologist mayors in those cities said the loss of immigrant workers’ lives during construction of the stadia […] October 4, 2022
Health Moody’s says hospitals and utilities face high hacking risks Around $22 trillion of global debt rated by Moody’s has a ‘high’ or ‘very high’ exposure to the risk of cyber attack, the ratings agency said in a report on Thursday, with hospitals and utilities seen at the greatest risk. Out of $80 trillion worth of debt across 71 sectors that the rating agency monitors, […] September 30, 2022
Health Europe drugmakers may cut output due to high energy bills Europe’s drugmakers have warned they may stop making some cheap generic medicines because of surging electricity costs and are calling for an overhaul of the way they are priced, the latest industry to seek help as the energy crisis deepens. The generic drug industry lobby group Medicines for Europe, which represents companies including Teva, Novartis’s […] September 29, 2022
Health COVID-19 restrictions in UAE to loosen from Wednesday The situation is stable in the UAE as infections decline, says the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority September 27, 2022
Health Burjeel eyes local investors for IPO after IHC buys stake Abu Dhabi-based hospital operator Burjeel Holdings is seeking local investors for its planned initial public offering, two sources said, scrapping plans to seek foreign investors after Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) took a 15 percent stake this week. Egypt-listed EFG-Hermes and JP Morgan are no longer on the deal, said the sources, declining to […] September 23, 2022
Exclusive Health Altibbi plans healthcare expansion in North Africa and Pakistan Altibbi, the largest AI-based digital health provider in the Arab world, is looking to expand into North Africa and Pakistan after “turbocharging” growth in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, its CEO has told AGBI. Jalill Allabadi said the proceeds from Altibbi’s latest funding round of $44 million – the largest ever single financing round for a […] September 19, 2022
Health Abu Dhabi’s IHC acquires 15% stake in Burjeel Holdings Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) has purchased a 15 percent stake in healthcare provider Burjeel Holdings. The acquisition aims to diversify IHC’s investment in the healthcare sector locally and regionally, WAM, the UAE state news agency, reported. Founded in 2007, UAE-based Burjeel Holdings is a private healthcare services provider, with a growing presence in […] September 19, 2022
Analysis Injection of interest in beauty industry as men turn to ‘Brotox’ Botox injections are becoming increasingly commonplace among men in the business world, but could they really prove the difference in securing that big, career-defining deal? It may sound far fetched but businessmen in the Middle East are turning to botulinum toxin type A, as the pressure to look good in the “Zoom Boom” era continues […] September 18, 2022
Health Pure Health to invest $500m in US hospitals giant Ardent Alpha Dhabi Holding's healthcare subsidiary will acquire a minority stake in Ardent, an acute care specialist that employs 26,000 people September 5, 2022
UAE health firm Burjeel plans Saudi expansion as IPO nears UAE healthcare provider Burjeel Holdings, established under VPS Healthcare, on Wednesday announced plans to expand into Saudi Arabia ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) later this year. The company, which owns and operates hospitals and other healthcare facilities, will invest up to $1 billion in the Kingdom by 2030 as part of a memorandum […] August 25, 2022
Health Britain to recruit health workers from Nepal to offset shortage Britain will recruit health professionals from Nepal under its first labour agreement with the Himalayan country, officials said on Monday, helping Britain offset a labour gap while Nepal bids to boost remittances from migrant workers. A joint statement by Nepal government and the British Embassy in Kathmandu said they had signed a preliminary agreement to […] August 23, 2022
Enhance Fitness muscles in on Saudi health push Enhance Fitness, a Dubai-based personal training platform, has expanded into Saudi Arabia as the kingdom embraces a major health and fitness push, creating new business opportunities. Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics recently revealed that 48 percent of people across the country now practice physical and sporting activities for at least 30 minutes a week. […] August 21, 2022
Food & Drink Healthy fast food startups aim to tackle growing GCC obesity Following its success in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, health food eat-in and home delivery company Under500 is set to expand to Qatar. The firm’s low-calorie meals – served in franchised venues across the UAE and Saudi Arabia and via online delivery services such as Talabat and Deliveroo – are to be ordered by customers in Doha through delivery […] August 15, 2022
Health Johnson & Johnson to end global sales of talc-based baby powder Johnson & Johnson will stop selling talc-based baby powder globally in 2023, the drugmaker said, more than two years after it ended US sales of a product that drew thousands of consumer safety lawsuits. “As part of a worldwide portfolio assessment, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder […] August 15, 2022
Opinion Mark your diaries: the human longevity revolution is coming Ageing populations can be a challenge, but they're a huge opportunity too. By 2030, spending by senior citizens will make up 10 percent of global GDP July 25, 2022
