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Digital Lactation Support: How Telehealth Is Empowering New Moms

By Ibtisam Shiraz | August 11, 2025

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, a time to honour, inform, and encourage new mothers as they embark on their feeding adventures. Even while breastfeeding has unparalleled health advantages for both mother and child, the first few weeks can be stressful, with issues ranging from latching issues to poor milk production, nipple soreness, and feeding frequency worries.

Tech to the Rescue: How Digital Transformation Can Curb Healthcare Cost Inflation in the GCC

By Ibtisam Shiraz | August 8, 2025

The healthcare industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is dealing with a triple threat: increasing demand, rising operating expenses, and inflation that is higher than the global average. The Middle East is expected to see one of the biggest rises in medical expenses globally in 2025, with an estimated 12% increase. The cost of mental health services may increase by more than 33% over the next three years, while pharmacy costs alone are predicted to increase by more than 25% (GlobalData Healthcare, 2024–2027).

Unlocking RCM Potential in Perioperative Care: From Scheduling to Post-Op Billing

By Ibtisam Shiraz | August 7, 2025

Perioperative care, the period encompassing pre-surgery, surgery, and post-surgery recovery, is one of the most intricate and revenue-intensive components of hospital operations. Effective Revenue Cycle Management in this area is no longer a back-office concern; it’s a frontline strategy for financial health, operational efficiency, and patient satisfaction.

Beyond the Buzzword: What 'AI-Ready' Really Looks Like in Hospitals

By Ibtisam Shiraz | August 4, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become healthcare’s favorite buzzword, splashed across product launches, conference keynotes, and executive roadmaps. But being “AI-ready” is more than piloting a chatbot or adopting the latest imaging algorithm.

Margins Are Shrinking: How Middle East Hospitals Can Stay Ahead in a High-Cost Era

By Ibtisam Shiraz | August 1, 2025

Hospitals in the Middle East are facing challenges as medical expenses are projected to rise by 12% in 2025, surpassing the global average of 10.4% (WTW, 2024). This is the sharpest financial pinch on providers in ten years, marking the third consecutive year of double-digit hikes. Hospital margins are being squeezed throughout the region as expenses rise due to increased utilisation, rising pharmaceutical spending, and costly new technologies.)

The Hidden Effect of M&A on CMS Patient Safety Indicators

By Ibtisam Shiraz | July 31, 2025

As healthcare systems race to expand, reduce costs, and increase market dominance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become increasingly common, averaging more than 250 transactions annually over the past five years. While most conversations around M&A emphasize financial growth and operational efficiencies, a vital aspect often goes unnoticed: the effect of these transformations on CMS Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs)

Fighting Hepatitis with Innovation: Why Digital Health Is the Missing Link in Elimination Strategies

By Ibtisam Shiraz | July 28, 2025

The global battle against hepatitis is at a turning point in 2025. Despite decades of progress, viral hepatitis remains one of the top ten global causes of death, claiming 1.3 million lives annually and infecting more than 6,000 people every day. Types B and C account for the vast majority of these cases, silently fueling liver cancer and chronic liver disease worldwide.

How UAE Health Systems Can Avoid Digital Fragmentation After Expansion

By Ibtisam Shiraz | July 25, 2025

The UAE is experiencing a digital health renaissance. Fueled by Vision 2031, sweeping government initiatives, and strategic public-private investments, the country is fast becoming a regional leader in smart healthcare. From AI-powered diagnostics and virtual consultations to smart hospitals and integrated EHR systems, the UAE is building a future-ready healthcare ecosystem.

Denial Rates Up? The Revenue Cycle Ripple Effect of Healthcare M&A

By Ibtisam Shiraz | July 24, 2025

In 2025, the U.S. healthcare sector finds itself at a critical inflection point. On one hand, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are accelerating at an unprecedented pace as providers seek to scale, survive, and gain a competitive advantage. On the other hand, claim denial rates are soaring, costing hospitals billions and placing an enormous strain on revenue cycle operations. What many healthcare leaders are beginning to realize is that these two trends are deeply intertwined, and the financial risks of ignoring their intersection can be devastating.

Perioperative Pitfalls: How Poor Surgical Outcomes Hurt CMS Rankings

By Ibtisam Shiraz | July 21, 2025

As U.S. healthcare moves deeper into the era of transparency and value-based reimbursement, hospitals are under unprecedented pressure to deliver safe, efficient surgical care. The stakes are high: in 2025 alone, over 820 hospitals experienced CMS rating drops due to poor surgical outcomes and readmission rates. Meanwhile, CMS penalties tied to hospital-acquired conditions and readmissions have surged past $2 billion annually, with some hospitals losing millions in incentives for a single star rating downgrade.