Dr. Bahaa El Shaarani
C.E.O
SURGITECH
For Medical Supplies
Exclusive interview by :
Lotfi Khelifi
Years pass around us and things change, but Dr. Bahaa does not change – the friendly smile is the same, the love for people and striving to support them is the same, and the diligence and hard work is the same… That is Dr. Bahaa Al-Shaarani as I have known him for more Than a decade.
His principles and ethics are diligent and innovative in his work. Thanks to his insightful vision, SurgiTech’s successes increase, and its field of work expands in quantity, quality, and the presence in more than one place…its mission is innovation and value creation, its goal is to serve the patient, and its charter is people first, before profit and trade.
Trade, according to Dr. Bahaa, is the goal of people, and he is not the means to it…
In this interesting and rich interview, which I chose to be the issue’s main interview, our guest touched on many topics related to SurgiTech and what concerns the medical sector in general, and its focus is ultimately patient service and care….
Question 1: A few years ago, we had an interview with you where we delved deeply into why and how you decided to transition from practicing medicine to entering the business side of the medical field. I was personally impressed by that choice. Can you please brief us on the secret behind establishing SurgiTech and its products and services?
I founded SurgiTech as a means to serve the community and help patients in ways that extend beyond traditional medical practice. I realized that by stepping into the business side, I could have a broader impact, facilitating the introduction of cutting-edge medical products that significantly improve patient outcomes. My fascination with these products, especially in the fields of orthopedics, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgeries, was a key driver. These innovative solutions were then new to the Middle Eastern market and demonstrated excellent results, providing better recovery times and less invasive options for patients.
Establishing SurgiTech allowed me to bring these advancements to a region where they had previously limited availability, thus directly enhancing patient care. Additionally, I saw an opportunity to create value by offering extensive training for surgeons, ensuring they could effectively adapt to these new technologies. This combination of advanced products and skilled practitioners has led to more innovative outcomes, such as faster recovery rates and improved overall patient health.
My first real insight into this potential came during a medical exhibition in 1990. It was there I realized the profound impact these products could have if introduced to the Middle Eastern market. This experience solidified my commitment to SurgiTech’s mission: to innovate, create value, and ultimately improve patient lives through superior medical technology and dedicated professional training.
Question 2: Companies go through many stages in their journey, face difficulties, and witness development and progress. Tell us about the journey of your company and how you faced such difficulties.
SurgiTech has navigated a dynamic journey, facing several challenges along the way. One of the major difficulties was adapting to the rapid technological developments in medical products and effectively communicating these innovations to healthcare providers while managing the costs involved. Adapting new technology required significant investment, which was sometimes a tough hurdle.
For instance, the introduction of biologics, which in many cases provided better outcomes for patients, was a notable challenge due to its complexity and expense. To keep on track, we focused on continuous learning and staying updated with the latest advancements by attending international exhibitions and engaging with current research.
We also placed a strong emphasis on making these advanced technologies more accessible. By prioritizing cost-effectiveness, we aimed to ensure that more patients could benefit from the latest medical innovations. This approach helped us in gradually overcoming the challenges and achieving steady development and progress.
Question 3: Can you please share with us your thoughts and evaluation about the growth of SurgiTech until now? Are you satisfied with its achievements and what can we expect from SurgiTech in the future?
The growth of SurgiTech has been closely tied to the overall expansion of the healthcare sector. We’ve had to constantly adapt and evolve to support and drive this growth. In the trading aspect, we’ve learned to source the best suppliers and understand the intricacies of the system. This experience has paved the way for the possibility of becoming manufacturers and suppliers for other countries in the region.
We are witnessing significant healthcare reforms, especially in places like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are driving massive expansions in the sector. Post-COVID, markets are increasingly focused on self-sustainability and pushing towards self-sufficiency in all aspects of care. As a long-standing regional company with expertise in orthopedics, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgeries, we are naturally well-positioned to be at the forefront of these healthcare reforms.
Looking to the future, we are excited about the potential to continue growing and contributing to the advancement of healthcare in the region. Our goal is to leverage our extensive experience and strategic position to support these ongoing reforms. We also see the potential to transition into manufacturing, which would further enhance our role in the healthcare landscape and allow us to provide even more value to the market.
Question 4: According to you, what is the key to developmental growth in healthcare for the region and how can the private sector play a pivotal role in this development?
The region is currently undergoing significant healthcare reforms, with a strong shift towards involving the private sector in the provision of care. One key aspect of this growth is the emphasis on boosting local manufacturing of medical devices and pharmaceuticals. For instance, Saudi Arabia aims to increase the private sector’s contribution to GDP from 40% to 65% by 2030. Similarly, the UAE, particularly Dubai, is launching 100 transformative projects with an economic target of AED 32 trillion over the next ten years. Egypt is also at the forefront of this reform by centralizing procurement through the Unified Procurement Authority and enhancing opportunities for private sector participation.
The private sector’s agility and ability to quickly adapt and implement international standards and innovations locally is crucial. This flexibility allows the sector to introduce global innovations in a way that suits local needs, elevating the competitiveness and quality of services and products in the market. As the private sector grows, it fosters the transfer of knowledge, enhancing local expertise and self-sufficiency.
From a patient’s perspective, the involvement of the private sector means access to better products and care at more affordable prices. By driving innovation and efficiency, the private sector plays a pivotal role in improving overall healthcare quality and accessibility in the region
Question 5: Your final message to our readers about business, medicine, healthcare, and SurgiTech?
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the intersection of business, medicine, and technology holds immense potential to transform patient care. At SurgiTech, we are committed to advancing healthcare by bringing innovative solutions to the market, supporting medical professionals with cutting-edge tools, and improving patient outcomes.
For anyone involved in or considering entering the healthcare industry, remember that adaptability, continuous learning, and a patient-centric approach are key. The private sector plays a crucial role in driving progress and ensuring that high-quality care is accessible and affordable.
As we look to the future, SurgiTech remains dedicated to leading these advancements and contributing to the growth and sustainability of the healthcare sector. Together, we can build a healthier, more innovative world.