In recent years, Dubai, has embarked on a digital transformation journey, targeting pivotal service sectors, notably healthcare. This compelling shift towards the integration of digital technologies in healthcare is anticipated to be a focal point at the forthcoming 6th edition of the GCC eHealth Workforce Development Conference (eHWDC 2023). Orchestrated by the GCC Taskforce on Workforce Development in Digital Healthcare (ZIMAM) in collaboration with MWAN Events, this esteemed conference is slated from 31 October to 2 November 2023 at the iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers.
Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Dr. Mohammad Abdulqader Al Redha, Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Dr. Sara AlShaya, Rizwan Tufail, and Shadab Khan, are scheduled to grace the event. Their discussions will encompass a myriad of pertinent topics, ranging from the latest developments in the region’s health information exchange platforms, healthcare governance, digital health maturity models, the Emirati Genome Program, to the intricacies of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, analytics, and population health.
When casting a spotlight on digital healthcare within the GCC, the United Arab Emirates emerges as a trailblazer, ardently pursuing groundbreaking solutions to uplift the quality of life of its denizens. Focusing on Dubai, the second-largest city in the UAE, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) emerges as the pivotal governmental body propelling digital transformation in healthcare. With a vision to position Dubai as a global smart city and innovation nexus, the DHA initiated its transformative journey in 2014. This commitment remains unwavering.
Delving deeper into Dubai’s digital endeavours, NABIDH emerges as a recognisable name in health information exchange. This platform, dedicated to the seamless exchange of healthcare data amongst licensed entities, boasts a repository of 7.8 million unified medical files and has exchanged over 352 million messages since its inception in October 2020. Another noteworthy initiative is Sheryan, designed to bolster healthcare facility services and professional licensing in accordance with the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s guidelines. Since its automation in 2019, Sheryan has adeptly managed over 4 million transactions by mid-2023, registering 85,000 health professionals in Dubai, and auditing the credentials of approximately 116,000 professionals.
The recent global health crisis underscored the imperative for innovative projects dedicated to disease management. Responding to this, the DHA enhanced its public health surveillance system, HASANA. Collating records from diverse healthcare facilities, HASANA provides a consolidated immunisation record for every resident and early warning mechanisms for timely disease outbreak detection. Presently, this system caters to over 15.8 million individuals in Dubai.
As artificial intelligence gains momentum and with the nation’s drive to enhance public health, the DHA is poised to unveil more initiatives in the imminent future, focusing on digital health, health technology, and value-based healthcare.
Dubai’s healthcare digital transformation is not merely about integrating technology; it’s a testament to the emirate’s visionary leadership and commitment to its residents. While many regions globally embark on digital journeys, Dubai’s approach stands out because of its holistic integration, encompassing healthcare facilities and the broader ecosystem, from licensing to public health surveillance. The planning, execution, and continuous evolution underscore Dubai’s position as a global city and a beacon for healthcare innovation. The world watches, and undoubtedly, many will seek to emulate.
