professionals and trained technicians to support the emerging digital medical technologies. • Regulatory, Procurement and Policy challenges - Need for clear regulations and policies to guide use and implementation of technologies responsibly. Priority budgeting to procure technological assets from reputable and expert providers, to ensure reliable after sales support and maintenance where applicable. Resistance to change - Fostering a mindset of change in order to adapt to and adopt new pathways of aligning with priority needs, Non-Communicable Diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading cause of death or immobility in the region, due to lifestyle factor largely due to poor diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. PAHO statistics cite approximately 62 million people live with diabetes in the Caribbean and Latin America. Nearly 180 million adults suffer from hypertension and Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Americas. The utilization of medical technology and advancements will aid in ensuring early detection and treatment plans, improving survival rates, and enhancing the quality of life for patients. The T&T Ministry of Health together with its five Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) are focusing on integrating technology in public hospitals and community clinics.The roll out of Emergency Health Resources exemplified by the COVID 19 response served as a catalyst for expanding response in a proactive approach, including telehealth, gathering centralized data and Public Education. While private healthcare providers are more likely to be at the forefront of adopting new and advanced technologies, offering diagnostic tools, telemedicine and personalized treatment plans, based on precision diagnosis and analysis, the free public sector Healthcare institutions are also understanding the impact and difference that technologies can make to enhanced services. The implementation of medical technologies and AI for predictive analysis, diagnostics, early detection and management of health issues greatly compliments the trajectory towards reducing the impact of non-Communicable Diseases. BARRIERS TO THE ADOPTION OF HEALTH TECHNOLOGY INCLUDE: • Infrastructural limitations, inadequate digital platforms, internet connectivity, particularly in underserved and remote communities and reliable power supply. Cost constraints associated with implementation and maintenance of technology assets are key to the sustainability delivery of reliable, quality, and impactful services to patients. • Lack of skilled Workforce - insufficient Healthcare Kieran Thompson, Managing Director 18 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 09
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