Wearable devices, artificial intelligence, and genetic data could soon help doctors in the UAE detect life-threatening conditions years before symptoms appear, experts said at the 5th Future of Healthcare Summit 2025, organised by Khaleej Times.
The session, titled “Diagnosing Before Symptoms,” brought together leading clinicians and technologists to explore how predictive healthcare could shift medicine from treatment to prevention.
Dr Samer Ellahham, Medical Director at Cleveland Clinic, said the effectiveness of predictive medicine depends on the quality of data collected. Drawing an analogy, he compared it to making popcorn: “If the data isn’t good, no matter how sophisticated the algorithm, the result is useless. You can’t make a good snack out of burnt kernels.”
He emphasised that healthcare systems must evolve from physician- or administrator-focused models to caregiver-centred frameworks. “Sensors, continuous monitoring, and electronic health records must be integrated from the start to provide actionable insights,” he said.
Wearable devices and biometric tracking, Dr Ellahham noted, can alert clinicians to early warning signs of heart disease or diabetes, allowing interventions before hospitalisation becomes necessary. “It’s about moving from reactive care to preventive action,” he added.
Dr Ihsan Almarzooqi, Co-Founder of Metabolic, showcased how predictive tools are already transforming diabetes management. Technologies like computational coronary calcium scoring, once reliant on expensive CT scans, can now be performed through retinal imaging — a development he described as both patient-friendly and cost-efficient.
“We’ve implemented this for about a year, and it provides early insights without invasive procedures,” Dr Almarzooqi said.
Predictive tools are also advancing reproductive medicine. Dr Partha Das, Medical Director at Orchid Fertility, shared a case where genetic testing revealed potential hereditary risks for a couple planning a family.
“These tests can save lives or prevent serious conditions, but they can also create complex ethical situations when families act on genetic predictions,” he cautioned.
Dr Das highlighted the importance of counselling and informed consent in using such technologies responsibly.
Despite the potential, all speakers agreed that structural challenges persist. Current insurance policies, clinician hesitancy, and outdated regulations often slow adoption. “As long as reimbursement favours hospitalisations over prevention, these technologies will remain underutilised,” Dr Ellahham warned.
Experts called for policy reforms to align insurance incentives with preventive care and for healthcare providers to embrace digital integration. They stressed that predictive tools will only succeed if combined with patient-centred systems and robust data governance.
The summit, themed “Echoes of Tomorrow | Building the Future of Care,” gathered healthcare leaders from across the region to discuss how innovation, collaboration, and technology are redefining the future of patient care in the Middle East.