Proximie: Bridging the Gap in Saudi Healthcare with Digital Innovation

Proximie: Bridging the Gap in Saudi Healthcare with Digital Innovation

Saudi Arabia's commitment to digitalisation and healthcare has drawn significant interest from global healthtech companies, with UK-based Proximie leading the charge. The company, backed by £64 million in funding, is strengthening its presence in the Kingdom through strategic partnerships aimed at bolstering the country's healthcare system.

"Proximie's mission is to deliver a connected surgical platform to help provide quality surgical care and drive optimal performance for every healthcare system," explained Dr. Nadine Hachach-Haram, CEO and founder of Proximie, in an interview with Arab News.

She emphasised the importance of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the Ministry of Health's directives, which prioritise improving healthcare access across the Kingdom. "Proximie has a key role in helping the ministry meet this objective, via partnerships with local resellers," she highlighted.

Proximie empowers the SEHA Virtual Hospital to overcome geographical barriers, enhance patient safety, and digitally share expertise among over 130 hospitals. "Proximie has already facilitated a cardiology intervention from Riyadh for a patient in Tabuk – effectively saving the patient's life," Dr. Hachach-Haram revealed.

Empowering Local Partners

"We're helping our local partners deepen their relationships with healthcare providers across the Kingdom, supporting the Ministry of Health meet its Vision 2030 goals by widening surgical accessibility," she said.

Dr. Hachach-Haram highlighted Proximie's dedication to reducing healthcare inequity and promoting interconnected operating rooms and healthcare systems. "Embracing technology and improving data collection will be critical if Saudi Arabia is to fully realize the benefits of AI in healthcare. This will move healthcare toward a personalized model and improve patient outcomes," she explained.

Proximie plans to leverage its established local partnerships, ensuring their compliance with relevant regulations and seamless integration within the Saudi healthcare ecosystem. "This way, we can improve patients' access to care and enhance collaboration among healthcare providers," she noted.

Growth Strategy and Future Plans

Proximie's growth strategy for the coming year focuses on consolidating partnerships within both public and private healthcare sectors and expanding its network across the Middle East and North Africa region. "We recognize the Kingdom's innovative approach to digital healthcare transformation as a great opportunity for growth and for solutions like Proximie," Dr. Hachach-Haram added.

Adapting to evolving regulations in Saudi Arabia is a priority for Proximie. "We are committed to providing safe and effective care to patients around the world. This includes complying with the evolving regulations in each region we operate in, including Saudi Arabia. We always prioritize the security of patient data and comply with all data privacy and data hosting regulations," she stated.

Saudi Arabia's market is crucial for Proximie's expansion strategy due to its economic influence and regional leadership. "The Kingdom's 2030 initiatives and drive to embrace technology align perfectly with our mission. Our software platform can significantly impact and help end healthcare inequality," stated Dr. Hachach-Haram.

A Hub for Innovation

Proximie sees Saudi Arabia as a crucial hub for international technology investment and digital transformation, both of which are pivotal for healthcare innovation. "The Kingdom is a magnet for international technology investment and digital transformation – both powerful catalysts for healthcare innovation," said Dr. Hachach-Haram.

The company anticipates rapid adoption of advanced solutions, leading to improved health outcomes for all Saudi citizens. "As the global leader in real-time surgical connectivity, we expect to remain at the forefront of our market in the Kingdom," she added.

Dr. Hachach-Haram also shared her forecasts for the industry's evolution, stating that the global trend toward artificial intelligence and advanced technologies present solutions for healthcare challenges. "Globally, we will see further embracing of AI and other advanced technologies, as governments pursue tactics to address healthcare waiting lists," she noted.

With 5 billion people worldwide lacking access to safe surgery, innovations in healthcare technology are essential to ending inequality, Dr. Hachach-Haram said. "Proximie already uses AI to improve operational efficiency and support technological development across healthcare. We are well-placed to continue this, cementing our position as a global leader in the space," she stated.

Business Fundamentals

The company's business model centres on real-time surgical connectivity, creating value by linking surgeons for virtual interaction and participation to improve patient care. "We also enable medical device organisations and healthcare operators to seamlessly collect data and connect infrastructure across ORs (operating rooms)," said Dr. Hachach-Haram.

Proximie generates revenue through a software as a service model, providing its combination of services globally to democratise healthcare and improve surgical access.

Currently focused on growth, Proximie has not yet achieved profitability but is supported by its investors in this strategy. "As a fast-growing, developing start-up, our business model to date has focused on reaching as many ORs as possible, with profitability to follow," Dr. Hachach-Haram noted.

The company completed a series C funding round in 2022, raising £64 million and reflecting investor confidence in its long-term potential.

A Mission Driven by Experience

The motivation behind founding Proximie came from Dr. Hachach-Haram's personal experiences and professional background. "Growing up in post-war Lebanon, I saw the importance of surgical care firsthand and the impact of its lack on patients," she said.

Her career as a surgeon and involvement in global health initiatives exposed her to inefficiencies in care, prompting her to establish Proximie in 2015. "Building a network of ORs interconnected by the world’s best surgeons, and empowered by real-time diagnostics, data, and analysis, means we can have a greater impact and push the boundaries of what is possible in surgical care," she added.

Key performance indicators for Proximie include its presence in over 800 hospitals across more than 50 countries and its extensive partnerships with medical device organisations. "These metrics are crucial for us as they demonstrate our reach and influence in the healthcare sector," said Dr. Hachach-Haram.

To date, Proximie has raised £104 million in funding, which is being utilised to develop its software and expand its global reach, including in Saudi Arabia. "As we completed a significant £64 million fundraise in June 2022, we are not currently fundraising," Dr. Hachach-Haram stated.

Proximie's commitment to digital innovation, combined with its focus on partnership and its dedication to improving healthcare access, positions the company as a key player in shaping the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

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