LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Joined-up healthcare data is crucial to quality patient care

As Middle Eastern governments look to the future, I am a firm believer that the healthcare industry will continue to be a key driver in the region’s success. In the GCC alone, healthcare is expected to grow to a $71 billion market by 2020. We are witnessing this investment in the sector through the bold goals being set by some of the region’s most powerful nations. In line with the UAE’s 2021 National Agenda, the UAE alone pledges to become among the best countries in the world in terms of quality of healthcare.

As the chief executive of a major regional hospital, serving nearly 400,000 patients annually, I am continuously asking how we can ensure quality of care while remaining competitive financially. I’ve learned that accurate clinical documentation is imperative to high quality patient care, improved physician engagement and increased reimbursement revenue.

We are now well on our way to making major improvements in quality patient care and the revenue cycle and I will be discussing these results during a healthcare information summit on October 25 in Abu Dhabi. It’s my hope that more healthcare providers, service providers, associations and government entities in the region will recognise just how crucial a role clinical documentation can play, not only for the financial health of the organisation but for the health of patients as well.

Humaid Amhi Al Mansouri, chief executive, Al Ain Hospital

American brands have the ticket to worldwide success

I write in reference to Rashmee Roshan Lall’s opinion piece It’s time for American brands to put the rest of the world first (October 17): Ms Lall’s meaningful article on American brands was an excellent read and was packed with insight.

The key reasons why American brands are so well-known and popular globally are their exceptional marketing strategies, world-beating delivery and distribution systems and above all, their superb customer service. A simple interaction with Amazon will demonstrate that.

It is for these reasons, which are easy to identify but far harder to replicate, that American brands tend to come first. K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Praise for Usain Bolt, a star sprinter turned footballer

I write in reference to your article Usain Bolt has been offered a two-year contract by UAE-backed Valletta FC (October 17): good for him. I wish he would sign up for rugby sevens. That’s where his speed would be most useful. M Smalberger, Abu Dhabi

Go Usain Bolt! It doesn’t matter where you go, you will always be Jamaican to me. We will cheer you on, whoever you play for. Glenis Johnson, Jamaica