Person-centred approach key to quality healthcare, experts agree

AMMAN — Person-centred quality healthcare systems that employ high-end technologies are the foundation of excellence for internationally-accredited medical institutions, health experts agreed on Sunday.

Despite differences in specialisation or the type of patient, medical institutions must remain up-to-date with the newest innovations and must strive to implement them, a panel discussion agreed at the Global Healthcare Travel Forum (GHTF).

Abdallah Abbadi, chairman and CEO of the Cell Therapy Centre, said the centre, a pioneering institution in the region, works primarily in mesenchymal stem cells, gene delivery and gene correction, tissue and cell engineering and organ manufacturing.

He said the centre has developed treatments for cases of knee osteoarthrosis and has succeeded in producing skin layers.

Furthermore, the centre has seen “promising” results in projects on the epithelial of the cornea and chronic spinal cord injuries, Abbadi said, adding that the centre uses advanced technologies of the ever-expanding field. 

For his part, King Hussein Cancer Centre Director General Asem Mansour said a person-centred care approach, effective care, continuous research and education, and organisation development are key components of excellence in cancer care.

He explained that patient-support services include psychosocial oncology, pain management, physical therapy and rehabilitation, nutritional services, patient and family education and the provision of support groups.

Mansour noted that these measures, among many others, have resulted in high patient satisfaction rates, survival rates comparable with international databases and the recognition of the centre as a leading academic and research institution.

From Saudi Arabia, Tawfik Khouja, secretary general of the Arab Hospitals Federation, highlighted the importance of utilising technology for better patient services.

Inaugurated on Saturday by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, who was deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, the GHTF is organised by the Private Hospitals Association in cooperation with the Global Healthcare Travel Council.

The forum seeks to provide medical tourism stakeholders around the world with the opportunity to meet, network and strengthen cooperation in the field.