Andrew Forder, Country Division lead, HIM Southern Africa, is enthusiastic about the opportunities the African Health Exhibition presents for the health industry. ‘The exhibition brings together all facets of the healthcare industry under one congress, providing a rich networking platform for clinical colleagues from around the continent,’ he says.

Forder adds that this is important because there is a growing need for collaboration between specialists. 'With fewer professionals entering the industry, we need to encourage knowledge sharing, because we can all learn from each other. For instance, certain diseases are more prevalent in certain countries, so there are valuable lessons to be imparted from practitioners in different countries on the African continent.’

Another benefit of the exhibition is that it provides a showcase for suppliers to display their offerings to the industry.

As an international organisation that is keenly aware of the potential to offer solutions to African practitioners, the Africa Health Exhibition will be a particularly advantageous platform for Siemens. The company has responded by sponsoring the event: not only is the company a Platinum sponsor of the Leaders in Healthcare Conference (where Tom Miller, CEO of Customer Solutions for Siemens globally, is a keynote speaker); it is also a gold sponsor of the MEDLAD and Imaging and Radiology conferences.

Added to this, the company is hosting a booth where delegates will be able to interact with various Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics products. ‘The event is significant for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics because it will be attended by many high level delegates from Central and East Africa. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics’ products are available in these markets either directly or through contracted distributors, so we are pleased to have this chance to show practitioners the power of our technology – especially since this territory is relatively new to us,’ says Juanita Ward (DESIGNATION).

Products from the Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics portfolio which will be on show include items from ranges for Chemistry, Automation and Immunology; Haemotology, Haemostasis and Specialised Products; Point of Care (including cardiac, blood gas, urine chemistry and diabetes) and Molecular and Microbiology. Key products include the Dimension EXL 200 with LOCI Module (part of the chemistry portfolio); Pointcare Now (for CD4 testing) TruGene (which is used in molecular sequencing) and the DCA Vantage, used in diabetes tests. The booth will also showcase the CLINITEK Status Connect, for urine chemistry, and blood gas tester RAPIDPoint 405.

‘The rest of the portfolio can be reviewed with our specialists on the booth via DVD presentations,’ Ward informs, adding that there will be a special focus on the newly launched Dimension EXL 200 as well as Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics’ product offering in terms of HIV total disease state management.

‘All the products on display here aim to enhance practitioners’ workflow and improvement available treatments so that we can take a proactive stance in addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges,’ says Forder.

‘We believe the Africa Health Exhibition is an event with tremendous scope for growth,’ he concludes.

Sithembile Mokaeane
Tel:+ 27 11 652 2146
Mobile: +27 7989 06280
Email: sithembile.mokaeane@siemens.com