A Meeting Point to Share Pandemic Lessons

COVID-19 marked a new era for events. All types of industries have shifted from face-to-face events to online platforms to host fully online talks, conferences or congresses.

According to Connex, virtual events grew 1,000 percent following the pandemic. Meanwhile, CNBC ranks events coordinator sixth in its Top 10 of the most stressful jobs of 2019. Has COVID-19 made them resilient and responsive to change? The events industry has created complete digital experiences, from fashion design shows to business networking events.

How can this shift work for an industry so practical like healthcare? To understand this, MBN spoke with, Enrique Cruz, Intensive Pediatrician and Event Organizer for Healthia Medical Spot LATAM. Healthia is a web interface designed for a two-day event of participation and interaction in a completely virtual environment to exchange healthcare knowledge between Latin American leaders. Cruz explained that before the pandemic, there was already a technological breakthrough in smart cities. However, COVID-19 accelerated the process as people had to work from home and communicate remotely with family, friends and clients. “Doctors have had to embrace digital practices with patients who do not want to go to hospitals. Doctors from all branches have been forced to use technological tools to exchange ideas, treatments and experiences with people from all over the world.” This need is what inspired Healthia. “Through it (the event), we want to generate synergies in the industry to allow our journey during the pandemic to be more bearable, less lethal and with a lesser impact on family, society and the economy.”

Cruz detailed the themes Healthia will address:

• Diagnosis and treatment for COVID-10 patients
• Healthcare systems’ transformation in a post-COVID-19 world
• Panorama of exponential medicine in Latin America
• Empowerment and leadership in healthcare in Latin America

This event is targeting three core innovative fields; BIO, MED and Tech, as Healthia puts it. BIO focuses on emerging trends in the biomedical, genomics, science and health fields. MED brings attention to health accessibility for everyone, regardless of the specialty. TECH addresses connectivity in a contactless world through digital tools from communication to medical devices use to improve diagnosis or treatment for patients. Healthia also aknowledges the importance of exposing new technologies, therapies and tools for care provision, which is why it will include a virtual expo with exhibitors, a market place for products and a networking virtual space for companies, industry leaders and experts.

“Now, more than ever, we have to rely on technology to create communities,” said Cruz. Healthia expects to encourage the incorporation of new technologies such as the 5G network, which has abruptly entered our lives and allowed medical professionals to provide comfort to patients and their families, he says. “In recent months, we have seen advances in practices such as the digitization of X-rays and digital clinical records to provide treatment at a distance. Today, the most relevant step is to use technology to close attention gaps on healthcare provision.”