Healthcare | Tuesday 21 January, 2020 12:18 am |

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating over 30 million people suffer from sepsis every year, and the infection causing the deaths of over six million globally, Medlab Middle East, the MENA region’s largest medical laboratory event, will showcase the technology being used to increase the survival rates of sepsis sufferers.

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection. The body normally releases chemicals into the bloodstream to fight an infection. Sepsis occurs when the body's response to these chemicals is out of balance, triggering changes that can damage multiple organs and tissue – media reports have previously indicated every third patient in the UAE admitted to an Intensive Care Unit is suffered from sepsis. 

As part of a central show theme of Transforming tomorrow’s diagnostics, the Medlab Middle East tradeshow will showcase how innovative technological advances are crucial to the development of the future of laboratory medicine in the region, and in the case of sepsis, the early identification to avoid complications related to the condition.

During the four-day laboratory showcase, Dr. Elena A Sukhacheva, Director Medical and Scientific Affairs, Beckman Coulter - experts in enhancing the diagnostic laboratory’s role in improving healthcare outcomes - will showcase the organisations technology to identify sepsis through the first FDA-cleared haematology sepsis biomarker, the Early Sepsis Indicator (ESId).

Speaking ahead of the event, Dr. Sukhacheva, said: “Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that is overwhelming the global healthcare community. Most sepsis patients enter the healthcare setting through the emergency department, where early identification is critical to improving patient outcomes. With this new technology, healthcare providers can support better sepsis-related patient care through earlier recognition.

“ESId is unique compared to other sepsis markers, as it measures morphological changes in monocytes—cells that play a role in the immune system’s early response to infection. Monocytes become more heterogenous in sepsis and by measuring the Monocyte change, ESId can inform clinical decision making earlier.” 

Due to the severity of the threat of sepsis, several technologies have been introduced to combat the infection in the MENA region. Last year, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) developed a first of its kind protocol in the MENA region using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect hospital-acquired infections and pre-empt sepsis early to prevent fatalities arising due to the condition. 

Rejoy Penacerrada, Conference Director, Informa Markets Healthcare, Medlab Middle East, said: “Sepsis continues to be a burden on the healthcare industry which is why Medlab Middle East is such an important platform as it showcases to laboratory professionals the latest technology and innovations taking place within the industry, and could ultimately contribute to reducing fatalities and promoting better health of residents in the region.”

The forthcoming Medlab Middle East Congress, which takes place from 3-6 February 2020 at Dubai World Trade Centre, aims to empower every lab professional with advanced knowledge and skills as laboratories transform for 21st century healthcare.

Organised by Informa Markets, an estimated 600+ exhibitors from more than 35+ countries and 25,800+ professional visits are expected to attend the 2020 edition of the show.