29 March، 2024

News from Emirates

Pfizer Collaborates with FibriCheck and AlTibbi to Launch the First of Its Kind Atrial Fibrillation Screening Program in the UAE

  UAE – October 18 2022 – Pfizer is further highlighting its commitment on becoming a more patient-centric company by launching the first of its kind screening program in collaboration with FibriCheck and AlTibbi, to detect Atrial Fibrillation disease, in the UAE.

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders that result in irregular heartbeats often leading to a stroke. Characterized by its fickle nature, it can even present no symptoms at all which makes it a difficult disorder to obtain proper diagnosis for.

As a result, Pfizer will provide patients at a high risk of Atrial Fibrillation with an innovative digital solution through a strategic partnership with medical platforms FibriCheck and AlTibbi.

Combined, the two platforms create an integrated program that brings FibriCheck’s remote detection and monitoring of heart rhythm disorders together with AlTibbi’s large platform in the region to not only detect disorders such as Atrial Fibrillation, but also provide patients with the appropriate medical content and telehealth services they may need as a result.

“At Pfizer, we continue to exert our best efforts to ensure that patients receive the help they need effectively, and to empower them to take their health into their own hands by equipping them with cutting-edge digital solutions,” said Nadine Tarcha, Medical Director at Pfizer Gulf.

We are pleased to be collaborating with FibriCheck and AlTibbi in designing a cohesive platform that we are confident will encourage patients to be more proactive with their health moving forward. This project is a great representation of how Pfizer’s Global Digital Innovation Lab is supporting the adoption of novel technologies to enhance patient care around the world,” she added.

Commenting on the benefits of this partnership, Lars Grieten, FibriCheck CEO, said, “The FibriCheck platform enables patients to take heart rhythm measurements via their smartphone. When rhythm irregularities or signs of atrial fibrillation are detected, FibriCheck provides these patients with the actionable data they need to seek timely medical attention and prevent serious complications, such as a stroke. We are excited by this innovative partnership and how it enables us to reach out to even more people who may benefit from access to our solution.”

“Up until this point, AlTibbi has had the pleasure of enabling patients across the Arab region to access much needed telehealth services with one tap of a finger. We believe that integrating such a service paves the path for a new, more innovative healthcare landscape that enables patients to detect their existing risk factors and understand them before undergoing the often long and complicated processes associated with a hospital visit,” said Ayman Sharaiha, AlTibbi CoFounder & Chief Operating Officer.

“Statistically speaking, at the age of 40, people have no less than a 25% chance of developing a disorder like Atrial Fibrillation, and the risk only increases with age. This new screening program will provide healthcare professionals some relief in knowing that people will no longer have to wait for serious problems to arise in order to identify existing risks in their lives,” said Dr. Omar Al Falasi, Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist.

Through this new integrated program, Pfizer aims to facilitate the screening of 100,000 individuals across the Gulf region, with plans to further launch in other Gulf Countries.