Climb aboard the Clinic in a Can

With more than two million people expected to descend on Makkah for the Haj this year, issues relating to healthcare are hoped to be addressed by the introduction of up to 30 'Clinic in a Can' mobile units throughout its five-day duration.
On the opening day of Arab Health 2016, GE Healthcare (in partnership with Clinic in a Can) signed a distribution deal with Saudi Arabia-based company Samama, making it the sole agent for the re-locatable clinics for the whole of the GCC.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Chairman of the Board for Samama Nasser M. Almutawa Alotaibi said the mobile units will mostly be used in the Haj-populated areas.
"It is not feasible to build a fully-fledged medical facility in this area, but with large numbers of people congregating in one place, Clinic in a Can will be able to provide medical care to those who need it. We hope to have thirty in place for Haj this year."
In layman's terms, Clinic in a Can is a customised container used to mobilise medicine, globally.
Several units have been distributed in West Africa to help tackle the Ebola outbreak and they are ideal for catering to remote or mobile populations.
With a basic unit costing about $80,000 (with price increasing depending on customisation), it is a much more affordable alternative to some medical mobile units already in the market.
"The difference between Clinic in a Can (a fixed unit) and other wheel-operated mobile units is about half a million dollars," Paul Morton, GE Healthcare General Manager of Hospital and Healthcare Solutions, said during a tour of one of two demonstration units in the UAE.
With a strong demand for re-locatable medical units in conflict zones and disaster-hit areas, Morton said its benefits compared to a clinic on wheels goes far beyond just the price.
"These units are made from steel containers and can withstand extreme weather conditions, earthquakes, harsh terrain and security threats. Though the certification for equipment inside remains the same for both types of units, what you can have on board differs. We have fewer limitations because it is a sturdier model. It is very robust."
Given the overwhelming needs of people affected by conflict in the Arab world, a United Nations report recently noted that 31 of 33 active conflicts are in Muslim majority countries, many of which are in this region.
As a result, major issues like housing, transportation, sanitation and healthcare arise. Though it is largely up to governments to address such issues by introducing various development programmes, Morton said NGOs play a big part here.
"There is a big position for NGOs. Classically they are the ones that have boots on the ground in these rural or war-torn affected areas so Clinic in a Can could be their choice when it comes to addressing issues relating to medical needs."
He said they can be moved to rural or remote areas in Yemen for use as a field hospital or can be built within refugee camps in the likes of Jordan to act as on-site clinics.
"It can move with the population and we can configure it to meet the required need whether it be an operating theater or a mother and infant care unit."
With just two demonstration units currently in the UAE, Alotaibi said they are currently in talks with the ministries in the UAE to bring more units to the country.
"This year we hope to sell about 100 across the GCC." Kelly@khaleejtimes.com