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EF: Inspired by Davos 2024 World Economic Forum Theme “Rebuilding Trust”- How can we build trust in the healthcare industry?
AZ: Building trust amongst the key stakeholders is essential. Our vision includes collaborating with groups and companies that, despite having diverse interests, truly align with our objectives. I will paraphrase the inspirational speaker Simon Sinek when he says that, for both the company and the people, our actions are what matter.
Unity and transparency are fundamental priorities embedded in Boston Scientific's culture. We establish confidence and a winning spirit, which is a powerful engine for growth. Our culture is a vital component of our success, and we inspire people to spread that culture.
A primary objective in our strategy is access to health care. We make significant investments in 360° education to assist doctors and customers in learning how to safely use innovative technology, enabling them to introduce and provide more access to their patients.
Last year, we launched a significant initiative called "Salud en Movimiento," through which we train physicians by visiting different hospitals every week. This initiative has been instrumental in furthering our mission.
EF: What will be the most significant opportunities and priorities for Boston Scientific in 2024?
AZ: Despite the global surge in respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, triggered an acceleration in digital investment and capabilities. In Mexico, we have incorporated numerous digital tools and have completely transformed the business. For example, we are investing in increasing our capacity and providing customers with improved experience across the board, particularly in logistics. We are doubling our capabilities in terms of size, speed, and technology integration to offer more transparency in our deliveries by making information more accessible to our field employees and customers,
We are growing our main distribution center in Mexico City but have also built new locations in the country's north and south to be closer to our customers. The goal is to keep the business strong and ready for the future.
EF: How can we boost awareness about the importance of health promotion in Mexico and encourage long-term sustainability through prevention?
AZ: It helps to illustrate how this can be done with an example: Due to the high prevalence of diabetes in this country, diabetic-related complications such as peripheral artery disease are widespread. Statistics reveal that in countries like Mexico, patients undergo more than 100,000 avoidable amputations annually. This often happens when patients delay seeking treatment due to slow referral processes or a lack of awareness about the different levels of care available. To address these issues, Boston Scientific is investing significant time and resources into mapping assessments to identify patients earlier, influence their care journey, and offer solutions.
We collaborate with major patient societies such as the Mexican Diabetes Society to raise awareness about the importance of preventive measures in people with diabetes for foot care and to prevent amputation. These awareness efforts are also extended to the digital realm through platforms such as “Pacientes como yo”, where we provide serious, responsible, and evidence-based information to patients about conditions and their treatment options.
EF: How is Boston Scientific Mexico using its capacities to accelerate innovation inside and outside the organization?
AZ: Besides having a great product, innovation involves transformational technology. We are constantly searching for technology that improves outcomes, simplifies life, reduces wasted time, and lowers healthcare costs. Our focus is addressing unmet clinical needs.
Beyond the products, we actively seek methods to address the disruption and fragmentation in our healthcare system, particularly in education. We use many different educational approaches. Through our master agreement in collaboration with UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico), we provide high-quality training, certified by this important Institution. We also partner with various hospitals to promote training in innovative simulation technologies.
We have three locations nationwide to cover specialized educational needs for healthcare professionals across the country. These are called CESME (CENTRO DE ENSEÑANZA Y SIMULACION MEDICA ESPECIALIZADA) and are located in Monterrey, Merida, and Mexico City. We are leveraging our remote solutions platform called Expertlink, which includes tools such as Clinical Eye and In Touch to provide remote assistance to physicians with proctoring, education, and treatment. Additionally, we have designed a financial solution to streamline product acquisition for doctors and patients, simplifying the often complex out-of-pocket payment process for patients with our LEAP+ Program.
EF: Which three areas should be in focus when it comes to strengthening Mexico's healthcare system?
AZ: Investing in primary care is crucial, especially as people live longer and non-communicable diseases are expected to become more prevalent. It is essential to prioritize public health to prevent future health issues. It is vital to empower individuals with the tools to manage their health. Teaching healthy eating habits and lifestyle modifications from an early age requires significant resources, but the benefits will be seen in future generations.
Another aspect is the urgent need for more investment in data solutions for the healthcare system, starting with establishing a comprehensive medical record system. Currently, the system is fragmented and complex, and having extensive data is essential for effective healthcare. To properly connect the system, more effort and investment are required, particularly with a large population suffering from non-communicable diseases.
Lastly, we must pursue innovation. Finding technology that reduces the overall cost of diseases, including expenses related to treatment, recovery, and preventive measures, will positively affect future generations. I believe that investment in innovation will pave the way for long-term success and strengthen the country's health policy.
EF: What advice do you have for young people choosing a company to work for, and what should attract them to join?
AZ: There's no secret formula, but I think an organization's culture matters a lot. The workforce at Boston Scientific finds unity and purpose in our company values: caring, diversity, meaningful innovation, high performance, global collaboration, and a winning spirit.
