By: Chris Bignell, CEO
The world has seen some remarkable developments in healthcare delivery. In 1954, the first successful organ transplant took place and, almost 70 years on, more than 150,000 organ transplantation surgeries take place annually. In 1980, the first clinical whole-body MRI scan took place and now helps monitor potentially life-threatening conditions every day.
More recently, the speed at which the Covid-19 vaccine was rolled out demonstrates how a connected world can combine knowledge, science and technology to address fast spreading diseases in a matter of months.
Managing the load
These clinical breakthroughs are helping people to live longer, healthier lives. The global average life expectancy has increased by approximately 22 years since 1950, allowing many people to live far into their 70s, and sometimes much longer.
Although this is a good thing, an ageing population means healthcare systems need to treat more people. People that live longer are more likely to develop conditions associated with old age, such as heart disease or leg ulcers – many of which need frequent and ongoing medical attention. Slowly but surely, healthcare services’ time, money and resources are spread thinner.
By 2050, the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion. Smart solutions are needed to tackle the health of the population, as well as the increase in conditions associated with old age. This will also need to be paid for by a smaller working population.
Unlocking the key to recovery
Innovation in medical technology (MedTech) has the potential to transform healthcare, offering faster, more efficient, and effective treatments. Sky Medical Technology is a UK-based medical device manufacturer that has developed a neuro electrostimulation technology – OnPulse™ – into its leading medical device: geko™.
The geko™ device is a wearable the size of a wristwatch that is worn at the knee. It works by sending short, painless electrical pulses down the leg – one every second – to gently stimulate the calf muscles. This results in increased blood flow – an outcome that offers a wealth of health benefits.
The device is currently used in a variety of medical settings, including for the prevention of life-threatening blood clots and to enhance recovery following orthopaedic and transplantation surgery.
Innovate, implement, improve
This is just one example of how technology can transform healthcare. AI is already being used for predictive diagnostics of conditions such as cancer and diabetes. Meanwhile a better understanding of our own wellbeing is being driven by fitness watches, smart rings and other devices.
Technology innovation in healthcare is absolutely the key to helping future generations live longer and healthier lives while protecting our global healthcare systems against the risk of being overrun. It will enable healthcare systems to manage an unlimited demand with limited resources and help transform the way we manage our wellbeing.
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