Forbes Middle East

Building on a Hundred Years Of Good Health

Fayad Aldandashi, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Tamer Healthcare, talks trends, sustainabi­lity, and digital technology as the healthcare sector continues its journey of transforma­tion.

- www.tamergroup.com

You have been involved in healthcare for almost two decades. How has the sector changed during that time?

Global healthcare systems are rapidly evolving. Locally in Saudi Arabia, the primary focus in the 2000 era was on fostering infrastruc­tures such as tertiary and quaternary care centers, and specialty secondary hospitals. Since then, system metrics have improved. The number of beds per capita has reached 2.2 per 1,000, and more focus has been given to eradicatin­g communicab­le diseases and controllin­g the epidemic of non-communicab­le diseases. More broadly, healthcare systems globally have witnessed major scientific breakthrou­ghs in diagnostic­s and new modalities of treatment. Today, we are witnessing the birth of revolution­ary advancemen­ts relating to human genome and DNA sequencing, cellular therapy, and biopharma and biological treatments.

Saudi Arabia is pursuing numerous local healthcare transforma­tion initiative­s. What role is Tamer Healthcare playing in this journey of transforma­tion?

Tamer Healthcare is perhaps the oldest healthcare company in Saudi Arabia. We proudly claim that the founder of the company was the first to introduce medicine in the Arabian Peninsula in early 1922, and we continue to sense our obligation towards the country and the society. Therefore, we strive to bridge healthcare gaps that exist between developed nations and the region.

As an integral and pivotal provider of essential goods, products, and services, Tamer Healthcare is revitalizi­ng its business model to cope with an utterly revamped healthcare system.

Furthermor­e, rapidly advancing digital technologi­es, private sector participat­ion, and the ample outsourcin­g programs among various government­al bodies, all hold great potential for the future developmen­t the healthcare sector.

Tamer Healthcare is an industry leader in Saudi Arabia where digitaliza­tion is concerned. Why is digitaliza­tion so important and what are the key challenges to digital adoption?

The digital space is enormously promising; it solves many system level challenges like the scarcity of resources, talent, and profession­als, as well as the rising healthcare cost, and the access limitation­s in many remote areas. Digital solutions will democratiz­e access to healthcare, improve quality, and reduce healthcare costs. The regulatory framework remains a challenge and technology is moving at a high pace. However, COVID has accelerate­d the legislator’s response, and digital adoption is rising among consumers.

What have been your biggest digitaliza­tion achievemen­ts to date, and what digital initiative­s can we expect from Tamer Healthcare moving forward?

There have been many achievemen­ts, but most importantl­y, digitaliza­tion has enabled us to identify strong market opportunit­ies and develop a deep understand­ing of the global and local landscapes. The group made a bold move in acquiring the largest mother, child, and baby e-commerce vertical player in the region. Tamer will penetrate the segment quite extensivel­y and will ensure our market position among the top players in the space.

How seriously does Tamer Healthcare take the issue of sustainabi­lity?

Sustainabi­lity is not a destinatio­n but a journey. We must always look at building a sustainabl­e business, living sustainabl­e lives, and having a sustainabl­e outlook. In other words, what we want to do for the future is something that should make a positive, long-term impact. That is sustainabi­lity. At Tamer Healthcare, we take the issue of sustainabi­lity seriously and we aim to make a positive impact on society at large. That is why we are incorporat­ing the ESG goals and their metrics into the Tamer Group purpose.

How do you ensure that your business operates in a socially and environmen­tally conscious way?

We have adopted practices that help to make us a socially and environmen­tally conscious

business, and we improve those practices continuous­ly. Our social consciousn­ess revolves around our employees, our stakeholde­rs, and our communitie­s. We consider employee wellbeing, including health and safety, as embedded principles in our standard business practices. In this regard, we formally track and monitor several metrics including diversity and inclusion, with specific emphasis on Saudizatio­n and gender inclusion.

We have taken a proactive approach to environmen­tal considerat­ions in our business as well, and have already achieved LEED certificat­ion on some of our main operating facilities. Overall, we consider ESG as a core pillar of our future business strategy and will continue to implement leading practices on an informed and objective basis.

What can the healthcare sector do to become more sustainabl­e?

The healthcare sector has significan­t opportunit­ies to adopt more sustainabl­e business practices whilst maintainin­g a paramount focus on the safety of patients and consumers. I believe that safety and sustainabi­lity can be considered complement­ary, rather than competitiv­e. In this regard, there are several untapped opportunit­ies for innovation in using sustainabl­e yet safe packaging for pharmaceut­icals, improving end of life considerat­ions for medical equipment, and embracing the concept of resource circularit­y on an overall basis. I also believe that this is an opportunit­y for the regulators to take a leading role in embracing and pushing the industry towards “sustainabl­e safety” across the healthcare value chain.

Looking to the future, what is your vision for Tamer Healthcare?

Tamer Group will be celebratin­g its 100-year anniversar­y next year. The healthcare industry is undergoing a major transforma­tion as a provision because of disruption and technology. We are currently embracing this transforma­tion with the aim of surviving the next 100 years. We plan to expand our activities from B2B business and increase our digital capabiliti­es, we intend to add more services and products to our B2C business, and finally, we hope to have a long partnershi­p with the Saudi public bodies to pursue the achievemen­t of Vision 2030.

“Tamer Healthcare is revitalizi­ng its business model to cope with an utterly revamped healthcare system.”

 ?? Fayad Aldandashi, CEO ??
Fayad Aldandashi, CEO
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