The curious Biomedical Engineer
This June 2023, we get to know Salah Malek, President at Getinge Middle East & Africa.
Getinge is a leading global provider of products and systems that contribute to quality enhancement and cost efficiency within healthcare and life sciences. Salah and his team have during the pandemic worked extremally hard in saving many lives.
Hej SBC Member!
Who is Salah Malek?
I am a person who has experienced many changes and challenges in my life. I was born and raised in Lebanon, a country with a rich and diverse culture, but also a history of conflict and instability. I had a passion for medicine and wanted to become a doctor, but I realized it was not the right path for me. I switched to engineering, where I discovered a new way of thinking and solving problems. I pursued a master degree in Biomedical engineering, which combined my interests in health and technology. I also completed an MBA, which gave me the skills and knowledge to manage projects and teams. I have been working with Getinge for the past 15 years, a company that provides innovative healthcare and life sciences solutions. I am proud of my achievements and contributions to this field. I am a person who is curious, adaptable, and resilient. I am always looking for new opportunities to learn and grow. I am a person who values my identity and heritage, but also embraces diversity and change. This is who I am.
Salah Malek, President, Getinge MEA
You have worked at Getinge for over 15 years including some years with Maquet Getinge Group, what have been some of the benefits and challenges working for a Swedish Company?
I often get asked similar questions by peers. I can only speak from my experience, as I have worked for one Swedish company, Getinge, for 15 years. However, based on that experience, I can say there are many benefits. The most important one is that Getinge has a clear social ambition next to the commercial one and that the strategy is built around long-term success even if we spend more effort and resources in the short term. This long-term outlook is key for sustainable, profitable growth. It also means that Getinge cares about its employees, customers, and society as a whole and strives to make a positive impact in everything it does.
What are some of the proud initiatives you have driven during these years?
During my long tenure with Getinge, I have led and participated in many initiatives that have contributed to the company's growth and transformation. One of my most meaningful initiatives was how we handled the distribution of COVID-related products and solutions to different regions. We understood that COVID-19 was a novel disease that required new approaches and knowledge. We leveraged our global network and collaborated with the leading healthcare providers in Europe to learn from their early experiences. We realized that it was not enough to supply the products; we also had to provide education and training on how to use them effectively. In a span of three months, we delivered not only the goods but also about 800 hours of online training that benefited more than 4,000 therapists. We know that the local team of Getinge, has truly participated in saving lives.
When opening a new hospital in this part of the world, what are some of the key things to think about when it comes to the different devices?
Investing in a hospital is a long-term strategic decision that requires careful planning and foresight. A hospital is not only a valuable asset that can serve the community for many years, but also a complex and dynamic system that needs to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of its stakeholders. One of the main challenges that hospital investors face today is how to select and procure medical devices that will remain relevant, viable, and competitive in the next 10 to 20 years. The healthcare ecosystem is undergoing major transformations due to the mega trends of aging population and patient empowerment. These trends imply that the future medical devices should have the following features: data collection, decision-making assistance, connectivity and remote access, and predictive maintenance. These features will enable the hospital to provide better care quality, patient satisfaction, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Salah and his family in Dubai
What is your dream in life?
Throughout my life, I have always felt that I was moving from one stage to another, facing different challenges and opportunities along the way. My current goal is to complete the next phase of my journey, which is to support and guide my children as they grow up and become independent adults. I want to see them achieve their dreams and happiness. After that, I will pursue my passion for photography, which I have always enjoyed since I was young. I also want to travel around the world and explore different cultures and landscapes. I think photography and travel are two ways to enrich my life and express myself.
Thank you Salah for sharing your story! We wish you all the best with the coming years!
Salah Malek, President, Getinge MEA
Email: salah.malek@getinge.com
LinkedIn
Website