Maliha Hashmi, Executive Director, Health Wellbeing Biotech NEOM Deputy Chair, NEOM COVID-19 Leadership Taskforce • Interview

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEALTH WELLBEING BIOTECH NEOM DEPUTY CHAIR, NEOM COVID-19 LEADERSHIP TASKFORCE

How do health and biotechnology factor into future plans for NEOM?

NEOM will be the first major development built from the start in the age of digital technology, and so technology will contribute to the development and functioning of NEOM in every way theoretically possible today, and in ways not yet even imagined. Everyone in NEOM is welcomed and encouraged to think about how technology can be used to further their goals, because we will have the technological infrastructure required to make these ambitious aims a reality. In the area of health, this means looking at applications in biotechnology. And health is a priority for NEOM, not only because of the exciting opportunities lying at the crossroads of health and technology, but because we aim to be the most livable city in the world, and this won’t be possible unless we make the health and wellbeing of NEOM citizens a priority.

How is NEOM adapting to take advantage of increased digitalization over the coming years?

Digital-first systems are in NEOM’s DNA, and our health and wellbeing systems are no exception. At NEOM, our digital backbone means that we will be using and encouraging advances in health-tech wherever they are most useful and feasible. From administration, handling records and analyzes efficiently, to prevention using wearables and AI-supported diagnostics, all the way to digital twinning which we intend to implement as widely as possible across NEOM.

What lessons have you taken from COVID-19, and how has that created an aspect of learning and changed your direction?

If anything, it has actually validated our strategy, and provided useful experiences for the future. The pandemic has validated two aspects of our strategy in particular: the need for virtual care, and the importance of and demand for mental health care, not just physical care. Mental health is more important now than ever as lockdown fatigue and uncertainty about the future leave people feeling anxious and alone. A core aspect of our strategy is the principle that there are five dimensions of health and wellbeing: mental, physical, virtual, social, and emotional. We want to be able to provide all NEOM residents and visitors the tools to fulfill these five elements of wellbeing.