Latest news with #workforcewellbeing
Zawya
19-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
International SOS reopens enhanced Dubai Assistance Centre amid rising regional risk demands
Dubai – As organisations across the Middle East and Africa face growing complexities in health, security, and operational risk, International SOS - the global leader in health and security risk management—has announced the reopening of its upgraded Dubai Assistance Centre. The relaunch marks a significant milestone, coinciding with the Group's 40th anniversary, and underscores its four-decade legacy of safeguarding workforce wellbeing and delivering critical support during times of crisis. Serving as a command hub for a vast and volatile geographical region - including the Gulf, Levant, Central Asia, North Africa, and parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, the Dubai Assistance Centre monitors and assesses situations inmore extreme and high-risk countries than any other in International SOS's global network of 28 Assistance Centres. International SOS has a multilingual team capable of communicating in over 110 languages and dialects worldwide, with 24 spoken at its Dubai Assistance Centre alone. It now includes a dedicated Telehealth Suite that showcases International SOS's remote site telemedicine capabilities, demonstrating how cutting-edge healthcare delivery can reach even the most isolated locations. The renovation was guided by key operational goals such as to modernise the facility, enhance collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, and offer a state-of-the-art environment for providing the best services to organisations. It now includes a dedicated Telehealth Suite that showcases International SOS's remote site telemedicine capabilities demonstrating how cutting-edge healthcare delivery can reach even the most isolated locations. 'The enhancement of our Dubai Assistance Centre is a strategic investment in our ability to better serve organisations in one of the most dynamic regions of the world.,' said Sebastien Bedu, General Manager - Middle East, International SOS. 'This centre is the operational backbone for hundreds of organisations who rely on us for rapid crisis response, health and security insights, and the tools they need to protect their workforce and operations.' Over the past year alone, , the Assistance Centres around the world have managed more than 300,000 cases, offering 24/7 support in medical and security emergencies, real-time information and analysis, consulting services, and tailored training. Its critical role in safeguarding employees and operations makes it a lifeline for companies prioritising Duty of Care, business continuity, and talent retention in unpredictable environments. Another significant enhancement for the centre is the integration of real-time risk intelligence through a strategic alliance with Ontic, a leading provider of Connected Intelligence software for threat management. This collaboration will integrate Ontic's advanced security technology with the global assistance capabilities, intelligence network, and decades of travel risk expertise of International SOS. The partnership aims to deliver unified solutions that empower security professionals to proactively manage threats, activate crisis response, and ensure the safety of their workforce worldwide reinforcing the Centre's position as an essential business resilience asset. Operational resilience as a focus is underpinned by robust mitigation and response to health, wellbeing and security risks. The enhancement of the Dubai Assistance Centre serves as a reminder of how vital reliable infrastructure and intelligence are to businesses today - particularly in regions where crises are not a question of if, but when. About the International SOS Group of Companies; 40 years of saving lives The International SOS Group of Companies is in the business of saving lives and protecting your global workforce from health and security threats. Wherever you are, we deliver customised health, security risk management and wellbeing solutions to fuel your growth and productivity. In the event of extreme weather, an epidemic or a security incident, we provide an immediate response providing peace of mind. Our innovative technology and medical and security expertise focus on prevention, offering real-time, actionable insights and on-the-ground quality delivery. We help protect your people, and your organisation's reputation, as well as support your compliance reporting needs. By partnering with us, organisations can fulfil their Duty of Care responsibilities, while empowering business resilience, continuity, and sustainability. Founded in 1985, the International SOS Group has been saving lives for 40 years. Headquartered in London & Singapore, it is trusted by over 9,000 organisations. This includes the majority of the Fortune Global 500, a. As well as mid-size enterprises, governments, educational institutions, and NGOs. Nearly 12,000 multi-cultural security, medical, logistics and digital experts stand with you to provide support & assistance from over 1,200 locations in 90 countries, 24/7, 365 days. Between them, International SOS employees speak nearly 100 languages and dialects in our Assistance Centres, Clinics, and offices. To protect your workforce, we are at your fingertips;
Arabian Business
08-05-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
GCC healthcare sector urged to unlock $2.5bn by investing in staff wellbeing
Investing in workforce wellbeing could generate $2.5bn in savings in the GCC healthcare sector, according to research by Strategy& Middle East, part of the PwC network. Long hours, high-intensity work environments, and physically demanding tasks contribute to chronic fatigue and other health problems, the research shows. According to reports, almost 50 per cent of healthcare professionals worldwide are affected by burnout, while nearly 48 per cent globally suffer from musculoskeletal issues each year. GCC healthcare staff wellbeing With the GCC healthcare sector workforce comprising more than 800,000 workers in 2025, investment in strengthening workplace wellbeing has the potential to create significant impact across the sector. Recent studies indicate that healthcare burnout contributes to a fourfold decrease in job satisfaction, while doctors experiencing burnout are 2.2 times more likely to have made a medical error in the past three months. Additionally, the emotional toll of patient suffering, navigating difficult diagnoses, and making life-or-death decisions take an emotional toll. As these challenges mount, healthcare systems become increasingly stretched, with workforce shortages compounding existing pressures. Irfan Merali, Partner at Strategy& Middle East, said: 'With the GCC healthcare sector undergoing rapid transformation and a sizable workforce already employed in the industry, prioritizing workforce wellbeing is more critical than ever. 'Beyond benefiting employees, efforts in this area could deliver clear financial gains and drive broader improvements across the sector, enhancing overall system performance'. The impact on personal wellbeing also extends to financial and systemic repercussions, with poor wellbeing driving absenteeism, staff turnover, and declining job satisfaction, creating a vicious cycle that harms both healthcare workers and patients. Research shows that prioritising workforce wellbeing leads to an increase of up to 25 per cent in productivity, a 17 per cent reduction in absenteeism and an 11 per cent decrease in staff turnover. This also includes an overall impact on the sector including higher job satisfaction, fewer medical errors, and enhanced patient outcomes – and a system-wide potential saving of $2.5bn in the GCC. The research suggests healthcare providers adopt a structured approach that combines preventative and intervention strategies to help drive improvements: Primary interventions, which aim to eliminate or mitigate workplace stressors at their source, could help to foster long-term improvements over temporary morale boosts. By assessing the work environment, organisational practices, and job roles, healthcare institutions can tackle issues such as excessive workloads, rigid shifts, and role ambiguity Secondary interventions, focus on empowering healthcare workers with the skills and strategies to cope with stressors that cannot be avoided or eliminated, such as high patient volumes, ethical dilemmas, and emotional strain. This can be achieved through resilience training, stress management workshops, mindfulness programs, and peer support networks to help employees navigate high-pressure situations effectively Tertiary interventions, designed to assist healthcare professionals already experiencing significant stress-related symptoms can ensure they receive the support needed to recover and reintegrate effectively. Access to counselling, physiotherapy and employee assistance programs can help professionals recover, reduce the risk of physical strain and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as return to optimal functioning. Given that health organisations already provide similar services to patients, there is an opportunity to extend these resources to employees in a cost-effective and sustainable manner Dr. Christelle Abou Nader, Manager at Strategy& Middle East, said: 'A resilient healthcare system depends on healthy, supported professionals who can meet evolving demands. Investing in workforce wellbeing isn't just the right thing to do; it is essential to create a resilient system that enables better outcomes for all. 'By prioritising their wellbeing, the sector ensures long-term quality, efficiency, and sustainability of the entire healthcare system'.
