We are delighted to announce that Neolook has been selected as one of the top six startups from an initial pool of 264 candidates in the esteemed Techstars Middle East Program. This accomplishment represents a key milestone in our journey towards advancing neonatal and pediatric intensive care solutions globally. Abu Dhabi’s Catalyst Program, Anjal Z (Generation Z), provides us with a funded entry and a platform to make a significant impact on early childhood health goals set forth by the Early Childhood Authority (ECA). This recognition reinforces our dedication to driving innovation and creating long-term healthcare benefits.
Healthcare: The Precursor to Wealth
Sixty years ago, Abu Dhabi was a small state with a traditional way of life. Today, it stands as a symbol of rapid growth and prosperity. This transformation offers a profound lesson about the fundamental role healthcare plays in a nation’s success. A lesson we take to heart is that healthcare does not merely follow wealth but can indeed be a precursor to it.
I recall hearing the late Professor Hans Rosling speak at a conference in Nice in 2010. His insight from his renowned work on global development, Gapminder, struck a chord with me. Professor Rosling highlighted that improved healthcare standards often drive national growth. In short, as healthcare rises, so does the potential for societal advancement and prosperity.
But this upward trajectory in healthcare comes with its own set of challenges. Improving healthcare standards cannot happen in isolation from a strong economy, and the reverse is also true: healthcare is a crucial investment for long-term economic growth.
Abu Dhabi: A Leading Example in Healthcare Investment
Abu Dhabi’s dedication to early childhood healthcare is evidenced by its investments over recent generations, achieving significant improvements in public health outcomes, especially in reducing child mortality rates. Despite notable advances, a journey of continuous improvement lies ahead. Financial investments, complemented by well-trained professionals and accessible, family-integrated care models, are essential to sustaining and furthering these healthcare gains.
Still the government of Abu Dhabi is crystal clear on the problems with births and early childhood. Child mortality is twice as high as developed European countries. Premature births, too light weight births and developmental delays are recognized problems. On top of that capable staff shortage is also a problem now and in the future.
Healthcare: Beyond a Traditional Market
Healthcare is unique; it cannot be approached as a typical industry. Rather, it is a complex system where the needs and rights of patients, the expertise of healthcare professionals, and the support of payers (governments or insurers) converge. Unlike other markets, healthcare entails shared responsibilities and priorities that extend beyond conventional economic models. This intricate system demands careful policy frameworks that balance individual and collective wellbeing with economic viability.
Typical consumer powers united in a normal market (“chose, pay, consume”) are separated in healthcare:
- The physician chooses the care.
- The patient uses the care.
- The payer (government or insurer) pays.
This division, combined with the collective responsibility to ensure access to healthcare, creates an intricate system of regulations and policies. It requires careful balancing of individual rights, collective welfare, and economic viability.
So, just launching a product or a solution does not work in healthcare. All stakeholders must be involved in order to take their responsibility. See below for our proposed steps to listen, team up, try-out, learn and deliver solutions that work for a single patient to the healthcare system as a whole:
Cherishing New Life: A Shared Cultural Responsibility
At Neolook, we believe deeply in the value of human life, particularly the care and wellbeing of newborns and children. Our mission transcends business; it reflects a commitment to values that resonate universally and deeply within the UAE – the nurturing of life and the responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of society. As we continue our work, our aim is to support Abu Dhabi’s vision for healthcare that promotes not just survival but also quality of life for all children.
We look forward to our continued partnership with Abu Dhabi and the broader Middle East region as we work together to advance neonatal and pediatric care. Our journey with the Techstars Middle East Program and Anjal Z is only the beginning of a meaningful collaboration, focused on building a healthier and brighter future for children worldwide.
Links
- Techstars https://www.techstars.com
- Early Childhood Authority (ECA) https://eca.gov.ae
- Announcement (long read) https://www.techstars.com/blog/program-news/anjal-z-techstars-founder-catalyst-program-announces-startups-selected-cohort-05
- The Investment Bank of Abhu Dhabi ADIO
- The Hub 71 open office and workspace