We’re combating the spread of infection through new technology solutions.
Take two potentially lethal ingredients, an economy struggling to bounce back from a recession and a worldwide swine flu pandemic. Mix them together and you have a recipe for socioeconomic disaster. It is estimated that a severe pandemic could cut a country’s GDP by 5 percent, causing the economy to shrink by more than 7 percent in 2010.
With over 160,000 infections reported worldwide and the number of cases expected to increase significantly though the autumn and winter of 2009, prevention of infection and containment of the disease is now uppermost on many government agendas.
The million-dollar question is, how can governments halt the spread of a pandemic that threatens to postpone the economic recovery through to 2010 and possibly as far as 2012?
One solution has been adopted by Thailand, a country that welcomed 14.8 million international visitors in 2007, making it a prime candidate for the spread of swine flu seriously affecting the local population.
In order to limit the spread of swine flu the Thai government has commissioned Active Tagging, a company based in the UK, to supply it with 1,000 Xtags. The Xtags will be utilised to ensure anyone showing symptoms can be quarantined and their movements monitored to reduce the risk of further contamination.
The Xtag utilises active Radio Frequency Indentification (RFID) technology, with each unit containing a radio transmitter that sends a signal every second to show it is functioning properly. These messages can be utilised to monitor the movement of the patient through a dedicated PC. The technology is already in place in many UK hospitals, particularly in maternity wards to ensure the safety of new born babies.
This ingenious use for the tags means that anyone showing signs of the disease can be treated before they enter a country, with the opportunity for spread being greatly reduced.
As one of the most important regions for medical R&D and product development in the UK and Europe, it’s clear to see why companies like Active Tagging are finding success in Yorkshire and Humber.
The region has one of the fastest growing healthcare technology sectors in the UK, offering unrivalled access to clinical trial research collaborations. It is home to over 10,000 industry specialists and 360 healthcare technology businesses and Yorkshire and Humber contains the largest concentrations of orthopaedic and medical device companies in the UK.
The region also boasts 3 world-class medical schools coupled with strong academic research in medical engineering, tissue engineering and other healthcare related departments.
As winter approaches and the swine flu pandemic worsens governments across the world will be looking to the healthcare sector for solutions to avoid a socioeconomic disaster. It is companies in regions like Yorkshire and Humber who will be best placed to answer that call.
Our role is to support foreign owned businesses who wish to set up operations in the Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK. For more information on what service and support we can offer click here or to contact us now click here.