articles 1 to 5 of 12
Reaching Out to Africa's Poorest Heart Patients with Mobile Cardiology
Cameroonian inventor Arthur Zang developed the Cardiopad, a mobile tablet that can perform ECGs, to enable better medical attention for rural heart patients in his country. Most simply don't get the help they need, Zang says, because of a shortage of cardiologists, most of whom can only be found in the two largest cities. "In Cameroon, there are fewer than 40 cardiologists for more than 20 million inhabitants," Zang says.
Published: April 30, 2013
What's Driving China's Biopharmaceutical Boom?
One of seven priority industries championed by China's 12th Five-Year Plan, China's biopharmaceutical sector is on the go. Once predominantly focused on producing generics and performing contract research for Western companies, the industry is developing at a rapid clip. Spurred by generous government investment and the return of thousands of China-born, Western-trained researchers and managers, more Chinese companies are now engaging in new drug discovery, and foreign pharmaceutical companies are clamoring to set up partnerships with them. However, the industry is still in its early days, experts note, and it has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to innovation and challenging global competition.
Published: April 02, 2013
Argentina's Burgeoning Biotech Sector Aspires to Be a Major Player
Biofuels, animal cloning, and genetically modified seeds for crops and biopharmaceuticals are just some of the developments in biotechnology that have been achieved by Argentina over the past 40 years. Observers say the country has enough natural, scientific and technological resources to become a major player and high-value added exporter in the sector. However, some obstacles are preventing faster development, such as a shortage of investments and a lack of regulation.
Published: April 02, 2012
Harvard's Clayton Christensen: Can Medical Innovation in Developing Countries Disrupt the U.S. Healthcare System?
The Middle East, along with Asia and Africa, are skipping the personal computer era and moving directly to the mobile and tablet age. In a decade, access to voice and data in the world's least developed countries has gone from an average of 1.2% to nearly 30%. Because of such growth, Harvard professor Clayton Christensen tells Arabic Knowledge@Wharton that these regions are poised to create innovations that will disrupt industries, such as healthcare, in developed nations. The challenge for them is whether they can see those innovations advance to a global stage.
Published: February 20, 2012
Health Diplomacy: In Africa, China's Soft Power Provides a Healing Touch
Sometimes dubbed "health diplomacy," China has been offering much-needed medical aid to African countries for over half a century as a soft power strategy to strengthen bonds with African governments. It has paved the way for Chinese companies to do business in Africa and profit. The goodwill generated by China's medical aid has also translated into political support, as the Chinese government has been able to influence the way African countries have supported it on the international stage, including in the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Published: November 22, 2011
