M42's Hasan Jasem Al Nowais Urges Shift To Preventative Healthcare At UK Longevity Forum

M42, a leader in global health driven by AI and technology, is urging leaders in healthcare, technology, and academia to shift the focus from treating illnesses to preventing them. Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director and Group CEO of M42, highlighted this during his keynote at the Longevity Forum. He stressed that the current model of addressing sickness is unsustainable.

Al Nowais pointed out that healthcare costs are projected to reach $10 trillion by 2026. He emphasised the need for global collaboration on AI and genomics to advance prevention efforts. Speaking alongside Jim Mellon and Richard Meddings at the 7th Annual Longevity Forum, he shared how M42 is integrating AI into patient care to disrupt traditional healthcare models.

M42 is developing AI algorithms and solutions like Med42, an open-access clinical large language model. They are also pioneering AI-powered chest X-rays for early tuberculosis detection. At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where Al Nowais is Chairman, AI is used in endoscopic colon screenings to identify abnormalities and potential cancer signs.

Al Nowais stated, "The key here is early detection and diagnosis, and then prevention." He explained how AI can analyse vast data from patient records, lifestyle factors, and genetic information to identify high-risk individuals before symptoms appear.

Genetic testing and genomics are hailed as transformative developments in preventative medicine. These advancements allow healthcare practitioners to foresee potential health issues based on a patient's unique DNA. Al Nowais presented a case study involving a 36-year-old woman with a family history of colon cancer.

The patient tested negative for the MLH1 gene mutation but positive for a BRCA1 mutation linked to breast and ovarian cancer. Thanks to M42’s advancements, she identified her risk early and received preventive interventions.

Global Collaboration for Prevention

Al Nowais called on global leaders to unite for better health outcomes worldwide. "Together, we can march for the benefit of our people and the world," he said. He stressed that health is a universal right and that preventive care can reduce global health disparities.

He added that innovation must be accessible regardless of geography or economic status. The democratisation of care is essential for improving global health outcomes.

The Future of Healthcare

The future lies in prevention through collaboration across borders and sectors. Al Nowais urged sharing genomics data, developing AI-driven care models, and reforming outdated systems. "Prevention is the battleground where diseases must be fought if we are to have any chance of transforming healthcare," he declared.

He concluded by inviting others to join this fight against disease through prevention-focused strategies that benefit humanity as a whole.

With inputs from WAM