Reportedly the second fastest growing healthcare market in the GCC, the UAE’s healthcare infrastructure will experience rapid development facilitated by digitization of services. With the rise of medical tourism and public health high on the national agenda, the UAE has demonstrated an affinity to integrate pioneering technology in its healthcare services and has already taken actions to further digital healthcare initiatives. In 2013, as many as five of the 10 approved cabinet initiatives put forward that year concentrated on e-health.
Increased public spending on e-Health enterprises has primed the technology industry to cater to the growing demand for personal health data and smart health technology. Wearable technology developers are taking great strides in this regard; from fitness sensors that monitor heart rate to smartwatches that track physical activity, wearables are earning a greater share of the technology market in the UAE.
IDC forecasts predict worldwide wearable device shipments will reach 111.1 million units this year, while smartwatch shipments will reach 34.3 million units, in line with estimates that state that smartwatches will claim the lion’s share of the smart wearables market over the next few years. Samsung, a champion of wearable technology, has racked up the most patents in wearable devices of any company in the world.
BI Intelligence reports that 35% of consumers would opt for smart wrist wear, and the UAE is no exception, where the wearable devices market is expected to grow to $3.97 million by 2018. With an expected average annual growth rate of 41.86 percent, there is a tremendous opportunity to integrate the UAE’s healthcare into the digital sphere alongside the country’s other smart city objectives.
Diversifying consumer offerings that give individuals more control in monitoring and managing their health is at the core of Samsung’s budding health care strategy. The S Health application was introduced as a key offering in the Samsung Galaxy S4 suite of applications in early 2014. The app has since been developed and enhanced to include more fitness-tracking capabilities and wider integration with other devices, such as the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch.
Recording and sharing health data that consumers can use to set and reach concrete goals are some of the features that the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch offers. Both the Gear S2 Classic and the Gear S2 Sport enable users to track steps, measure heart rate, document exercises, and record calories burned, allowing for a reliable health companion that is always in hand, motivating you with reminders to drink more water or take a walk to reach a step goal each day.
With plans to delve deeper into the intersection of health and technology, Samsung is working on new devices and applications that will enhance the connected care experience. Currently leading international brands in filed patents on wearable technologies, through the Samsung Architecture Multimodal Interactions (SAMI) initiative, the company is proposing to partner with the best talent from outside on sensor and wearable development.
Through open collaboration with developers and partners, Samsung is continuing to enrich its wearable ecosystem and provide users with a more optimized and unique smart wearable experience that furthers their health goals.