SRTI Park, Doctory to launch smart medical bag Masand to support Hajj pilgrims

When faith meets innovation, powerful things happen. This year's Hajj season has become the stage for a tech marvel from Sharjah: the "Masand" smart medical bag. Born from a collaboration between Doctory, a rising health-tech star, and the ever-forward-thinking Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), this mobile medical unit is already turning heads.

Designed and built at the Sharjah Open Innovation Lab (SoiLAB), Masand isn't just a bag — it's a portable health hub that brings critical care to pilgrims right when and where they need it most.

How does it work?

The Masand bag is no ordinary first-aid kit. Think of it as a doctor's clinic shrunk down into a sleek, transportable box:

• Packed with diagnostic tools powered by smart electronics
• Built using cutting-edge 3D printing, laser tech, and circuit design
• Able to link patients directly to a network of doctors — live, on the spot

That means even if someone is miles from a hospital, help isn't far. As Doctory's Co-Founder Osama Shamsi Pasha puts it: "The 'Masand' medical bag represents a significant leap in mobile healthcare, made possible by the advanced innovation environment and world-class team at SoiLAB."

Why does it matter?

Hajj brings together millions of pilgrims in intense heat, tight quarters, and physically demanding rituals. That's a recipe for health emergencies. The Masand bag steps in where traditional medical infrastructure can fall short:

• Speeds up emergency response in hard-to-reach areas
• Offers remote diagnoses in real-time
• Cuts down strain on overburdened health stations

It's not just a tech demo — it's a lifeline. And according to SRTI Park's CEO, Hussain Al Mahmoudi, "This project reflects our commitment to empowering creative and innovative companies to turn their ideas into tangible solutions that improve lives."

The context

Sharjah's SRTI Park isn't new to innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it helped develop protective masks. It's built smart prosthetics with research teams. And now, with Masand, it's proving that meaningful tech can move fast when the environment's right.

Here's what makes SoiLAB — the heart of this mission — so special:

• Offers advanced tools for 3D printing (from metals to polymers)
• Hosts labs for robotics, textiles, electronics, and digital manufacturing
• Brings together startups, scientists, and seasoned industry players under one roof

As Al Mahmoudi notes, "The Hajj season provides a unique opportunity to test these solutions in real-world conditions, showcasing SRTI Park's ability to turn research and innovation into practical outcomes."

With Masand already catching the attention of health regulators during the 1446 AH Hajj season, it's clear this is more than a pilot — it's a glimpse into how healthcare might travel in the future. And Sharjah, quietly but surely, is carving its name into the tech map of the region — one smart idea at a time.