Dubai: The 1 Billion Followers Summit, now in its fourth edition in Dubai, underscored the significance of specialised, high-quality content in digital media as a tool to enhance public awareness, deliver reliable information, and bolster development, particularly in health and education, by enabling experts to directly engage with the public via digital platforms.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Ahmed Ezzat, an Egyptian doctor specialising in women’s health and a medical content creator, emphasized that medical education and awareness are as crucial as the work performed in clinics and operating rooms. He pointed out that many patients often become aware of their health issues only when conditions have progressed to advanced stages due to the absence of accurate information when needed.
Speaking on the sidelines of the second day of the 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Dr. Ezzat highlighted the transformation in how people receive health information due to social media. He noted that in many instances, patients tend to trust influencers more than doctors, as they frequently encounter influencers through videos, live streams, and stories, while they may avoid doctor visits due to fear of confronting illness.
He explained that this gap has facilitated the spread of inaccurate and unreliable information shared by some non-specialist influencers, posing risks to people’s health. He emphasized that the remedy lies in doctors themselves becoming content creators and influencers who present accurate medical information in a straightforward and engaging manner.
Dr. Ezzat further stated that this strategy benefits the entire healthcare system and society by promoting awareness and early diagnosis in the initial stages of disease. Early awareness directly aids patients, reduces treatment costs, enhances the efficiency of digital platforms, and supports government initiatives in preventive healthcare.
He also commended the role of the UAE in this domain, highlighting that the past three years have witnessed significant growth in medical content on digital platforms. However, he stressed that the objective is not to showcase or film patients, but to elevate health awareness and provide trustworthy medical information.
