Wellness In The Future: Insights From The Majlis Mohamed Bin Zayed Lecture On Holistic Healthcare
His Highness Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, attended a lecture titled ‘Wellness in the Future: A Holistic Approach to Healthcare’. This event was held at the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed venue within Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Lucien Engelen, a global healthcare innovation strategist, delivered the lecture.
Engelen initiated the discussion by prompting the audience to imagine reducing healthcare pressure while boosting economic returns and achieving 4% economic growth. He suggested that such advancements are possible in today's world. Engelen, who is also CEO of Transform.Health, emphasised that human interaction is central to healthcare but is diminishing due to fewer people entering the medical field.
Engelen described healthcare as facing "a plumber’s problem," where issues are addressed only when they arise. He highlighted that traditional healthcare accounts for just 6% of health determinants but consumes 90% of budgetary resources. The solution, according to him, lies in enhancing 'health' rather than expanding 'healthcare'.
The lecture explored adopting a broader societal approach to health and wellness beyond current offerings. Engelen underscored technology's role in providing personalised healthcare through innovations like self-measurement kiosks and digital pharmacists capable of speaking multiple languages.
Engelen discussed how technology and AI can predict health conditions and intervene early. Examples include kiosks recording vital signs and health-monitoring facilities in retail spaces. The goal is to use data and technology for proactive health management.
The session was moderated by Thekra Al Zaabi from New York University Abu Dhabi's Public Health Research Center. It included pre-recorded inputs from several experts such as HE Dr Ahmed Al Khazraji from Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre and Dr Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of Health Beyond Borders.
Expert Contributions
Khawla Hammad, CEO of Takalam; Tina Wadhwa from NYU Abu Dhabi; and Dr James Wilcox from Specialized Rehabilitation Hospital also contributed insights. Their perspectives enriched the discussion on future wellness approaches.
The lecture ‘Wellness in the Future: A Holistic Approach to Healthcare’ will be broadcast on Saturday, 2 November at 5pm on local TV networks. It will also be available later on the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed YouTube channel (youtube.com/@MajlisMohamedbinZayed).
With inputs from WAM
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