Latest news with #TomColeman
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Cape Town to host Thrive by WHX: A new global health and wellness experience
The WHX Thrive will be launched in September Image: Instagram Cape Town has been named the inaugural host city for Thrive by WHX, a global health and wellness experience launching in September 2025. Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets – Healthcare, said the choice was deliberate, citing the city's unique combination of natural beauty, innovation, and an active lifestyle culture. 'Cape Town embodies the spirit of wellness, innovation, and active living that Thrive celebrates,' Coleman said. 'It offers a unique mix of world-class infrastructure, an emerging health-conscious community, and a growing culture of fitness and wellbeing.' Thrive aims to place Cape Town on the global stage as Africa's wellness capital. While the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is not formally involved, the Ministry of Sports has pledged official support, helping to open the event. The event will spotlight three central themes: education, innovation, and inclusivity. It will include CPD-accredited content, nutrition and longevity sessions, and a strong focus on women in sport and youth wellness. 'What sets Thrive apart is its immersive, holistic approach,' Coleman said. 'It's not just a conference or expo. It's a space where science, sport, and real-world health converge. Attendees will not only learn but participate—through high-impact workouts, expert-led talks, and hands-on demos of the latest wearables, recovery tools, and tech.' Confirmed speakers include South African rugby legends Juandre Kruger and Bryan Habana, and Dr Joshua Awesome, a New York Times bestselling author and mental health advocate. The final programme will also explore topics such as youth mental health, digital health, and women's performance. Coleman said the event seeks long-term impact. 'Thrive by WHX is about more than an event. It's about catalysing a shift in how we think about wellness — from grassroots community health to global policy. In Cape Town, we see the potential to build a sustainable, inclusive wellness economy that inspires change across the continent.' He added, 'Cape Town will be our home for the foreseeable future. This event was conceptualised here, and there's simply nothing like it anywhere else on the continent.' The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is also backing the initiative, although not a formal partner. The department is exploring future collaboration opportunities in wellness, performance, and community upliftment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie Image: Leon Lestrade MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, delivered the keynote address at the media event, reinforcing the government's aim to make the province Africa's hub for cultural and sporting excellence. 'Cape Town combines world-class infrastructure, natural beauty, a vibrant outdoor culture, and a fast-growing ecosystem of innovation,' said Mackenzie. 'It has all the ingredients to become the wellness capital of Africa.' An avid runner and cyclist, Mackenzie shared how physical activity transforms communities. He underlined the need for inclusive public events and development programmes that enrich lives across the province. The department is instrumental in promoting physical activity through grassroots sport and recreational initiatives, including the flagship MOD Programme (Mass participation; Opportunity and access; Development and growth), which reaches thousands of young people after school. 'With Thrive by WHX set to position Cape Town as a global centre for wellness tourism and health innovation,' Mackenzie added, 'we are fully committed to building healthier communities through initiatives that celebrate movement, wellness, and human connection.' Meanwhile, Professor Pierre Goussard, a paediatric pulmonologist at Tygerberg Hospital, commented on the broader public health significance of such events. 'Events like these bring together science, wellness and community health—areas that are often treated separately,' Goussard said. 'The real value lies in direct access to cutting-edge medical equipment and technologies that are rarely showcased in the South African context.' He explained that professionals in South Africa often use the same equipment for years due to limited access to international suppliers. Thrive offers an opportunity to engage global manufacturers directly, potentially improving equipment access and establishing essential service networks. Cape Town, he noted, is well positioned to lead in wellness and preventative health, with strong academic and private health sectors and an established global reputation. 'We've already used donated funds through the Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust to access medical equipment not available via traditional public channels,' Goussard said. 'This enhances both patient care and the training of future specialists. Cape Town is uniquely placed, with infrastructure and research capability, to drive innovation.' He identified minimally invasive procedures like bronchoscopy and the use of artificial intelligence tools—such as CADS for TB diagnosis—as key developments aligned with Thrive's themes. 'These innovations make it possible to act quickly and precisely. As research progresses, AI will play an even greater role in diagnosing and managing complex conditions,' he said. He also stressed the significance of in-person interaction at such events. 'You can read brochures, but nothing compares to seeing and testing equipment in real time while discussing it with global experts,' Goussard said. 'These interactions can lead to collaboration, innovation, and even product development tailored to the African context—particularly in niche fields like paediatrics, where equipment is often hard to source.'
Zawya
19-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Kenya to Host Landmark Global Healthcare Expo in October 2025
Kenya is set to host the World Health Conference and Expo by Informa Markets in October 2025 in Nairobi, marking the first major global healthcare expo in East Africa. This event will provide a platform to showcase Kenya's healthcare innovations, investment opportunities, and advancements in medical technology. With evolving global disease patterns and rapid technological advancements, the conference will bring together specialists from commercial, professional, and academic sectors to foster knowledge transfer, strategic partnerships, and healthcare investment. The event aligns with Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, reinforcing the country's position as a leader in healthcare innovation and investment in Africa. It will offer networking opportunities for local and international stakeholders and further establish Kenya as a regional healthcare hub. Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, met with Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director at Informa Markets, to discuss the planned conference. Kenya looks forward to welcoming global health leaders and investors to Nairobi as the country continues to advance its healthcare transformation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Health, Kenya.
Al Bawaba
30-01-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Medlab Middle East set to open next week with groundbreaking innovations
The 24th edition of Medlab Middle East will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 3-6 February. Themed 'Empowering today's medical labs for tomorrow's future', the event will feature over 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, with 20,000 visitors expected to explore the latest technology and updates for the laboratory industry. The upcoming edition will build on the success of Medlab Middle East 2024 when the event generated an estimated business value of USD670 million (AED2.46 billion), fueling medical laboratory growth across the Middle East and beyond. The event will feature the most prominent names in the industry, with key exhibitors showcasing their innovations including Snibe, PureLab, World Data Exchange, Merck and Abbott. 'The 2025 edition of Medlab Middle East promises to be a landmark event which spotlights cutting-edge advancements and sustainable practices in laboratory medicine. The event offers a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse range of companies and professionals in the medical laboratory industry, opening doors to new networks and opportunities for growth,' said Tom Coleman, Group Exhibition Director, Informa Markets Healthcare. UAE TV and Radio personality Kris Fade will be the Master of Ceremonies for the opening of Medlab Middle East and will also host the opening plenary session which will feature global health experts including Professor Nicaise Ndembi, Deputy Director-General International Vaccine Institute, Africa Regional Office, Kigali, Rwanda and Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Vice President - Global Health Strategy, United Nations Foundation, USA. The world's only multidisciplinary congress in the medical laboratory industry, the Medlab Middle East Congress returns with 12 CME-accredited conferences in Lab Management, Clinical Chemistry, Lab Quality, Haematology, Clinical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Blood Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapy, Histopathology, Lab Sustainability and Immunology. A new Lab Automation conference will debut this year, designed to explore the transformative impact of automation and IT workflows on laboratory operations. The Congress will feature 150 local and international speakers and 60 VIP guests and is expected to draw over 4,000 delegates from the medical and laboratory fields. Key topics explored at the event include 'The role of laboratory leadership to prepare laboratories for outbreak detection', 'Advances in stem cell therapy' and 'The past and the future for biomedical sciences and career options for the next generation'. Medlab Middle East 2025 will introduce two new leadership forums dedicated to women's health and precision medicine. The Women's Health Leadership Forum will be held on the opening day of Medlab Middle East and aims to enhance women's health through laboratory diagnostics. The event will showcase cutting-edge innovations, address key challenges and uncover collaboration opportunities that will enhance diagnostic capabilities for addressing women's health needs. The Women's Health Leadership Forum will open with an inaugural address from Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Former Minister in the Government of the UAE and will be chaired by is Dr Kadria Sayed, Consultant in Anatomical and Clinical Pathology and Chief of the Pathology and Laboratory Department at the American Hospital in Dubai. She will be joined by highly regarded experts in the field, including Dr. Rita Nayar, Vice Chair of Education and Faculty Development and Director of Cytopathology in the Department of Pathology and a Professor of Pathology (Cytopathology) in Medical Education at Northwestern University. The Precision Medicine Leadership Forum aims to offer insights from top experts in precision medicine, fostering a dialogue around cutting-edge innovations in genetics, personalised healthcare and new targeted therapies shaping the future of patient care. The programme will include sessions on how genetic data is being integrated into treatment plans and the impact of precision medicine on improving patient care, among several other key topics in the precision medicine field. The forum will feature precision medicine experts, including Dr Karolina Kobus, Chief Scientific Officer of Lifespan Group; Dr Hamad Yaseen Ali, Associate Professor, Genomic Medicine Health Sciences Centre, Kuwait University; and Dr Said Ismail, President of Qatar Precision Health Institute. Also new for the 2025 edition, the Global Lab Leaders Breakfast Forum on 4 February will unite Medlab portfolio global advisers, scientific chairs, international partners and stakeholders in an exclusive, invitation-only dialogue, concentrating on topics that are crucial to advancing laboratory practices worldwide. On the following day, the GCC Lab Leaders Breakfast Forum will gather officials, experts, and specialists from both public and private sector laboratories, as well as national standardisation bodies across the GCC region. The event aims to foster collaboration and open dialogue on critical topics, including laboratory management, quality assurance, and proficiency testing. On 6 February, the ABCHealth Session at Medlab Middle East will explore the transformative role of AI and advanced technologies in reshaping diagnostic business models across Africa. The session will be led by Dr Mories Atoki, CEO, African Business Coalition for Health (ABC Health), with the keynote address delivered by Professor Hatem Mostafa Elgabaly, Former Minister of Health, Egypt. Medlab Middle East will showcase the latest innovations and technologies across eight dynamic product categories, which include Disposables and Consumer Goods, Emergency Medicine, Imaging and Diagnostics, Healthcare and General Services, IT, Laboratory, Medical Equipment and Devices and Pharma and Nutrition. The event will be held in Hall 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre and Za'abeel Halls 1-7.
