US featured innovative medical technologies at Riyadh event

RIYADH: The United States Commercial Service, the trade promotion arm of the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration recently organized a US-Saudi Patient Day, which focused on medical technologies and procedures.
The event highlighted American products that can save the lives of patients and enhance quality of life.
Mark O’Grady, deputy commercial counselor at the US Embassy here, said, “We are pleased that the Saudi government has identified the US as a strategic partner for the implementation of its transformation plan.”
He added: “In line with that commitment and in cooperation with American medical companies, the US Commercial Service is organizing the first US-Saudi Patient Day to showcase the growing collaboration between the US and Saudi health care partners.”
The event featured medical products and procedures of four leading American companies currently in Saudi Arabia. They are 3M, DaVita, Johnson & Johnson and Medtronic.
O’Grady said: “The event featured renowned local physicians and health care practitioners, who shared their daily professional experiences in utilizing US technology and medical procedures to treat and improve the lives of their patients.”
3M is an American multinational conglomerate that produces more than 55,000 products ranging from medical devices to electronic circuits and optical films. The company operates in more than 65 countries with $30 billion in annual sales. DaVita provides health care services to patients internationally, especially kidney care. With more than 67,000 employees and over 2,200 dialysis centers globally, DaVita strives to improve patients’ quality of life.
Johnson & Johnson is a pharmaceutical and consumer goods manufacturer. The Kingdom represents more than 40 percent of Johnson & Johnson total sales in the Middle East. Johnson & Johnson recently received their license to establish a joint venture office in the country.
A major company, Medtronic, meets the needs of patients and health care professionals in 155 countries. The company has been operating in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and established their branch office in Riyadh in August 2015. The Kingdom is Medtronic’s largest market in the Middle East and the company employs more than 144 people. Two-fifths of the workforce are Saudis.