Al Maidoor reviews the latest healthcare-technology innovations during his recent visit to the USA.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 21, 2015: A Dubai Health Authority(DHA) delegation  headed by HE Eng. Essa Al-Maidoor, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority(DHA) participated in the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference and exhibition that was held in the USA.

The HIMSS  conference is considered amongst the finest gatherings of information technology specialists working in the field of smart health solutions.

Al Maidoor said that Dubai is making great strides towards transforming its services to smart government services, mentioning the DHA's plans to  launch the Smart Personal Medical File and complete all smart solutions projects by the end of 2017.

Al Maidoor further spoke on this project saying that it stems from the DHA's plan to implement smart solutions in the health sector.

He said DHA is working towards comprehensive smart solutions in the healthcare field from management, lab work, digital archiving etc.

Furthermore, the Director General added that the presence of over 1300 companies in the accompanying exhibition allows the Authority to examine the latest medical practices.

More than 250 non-profit health-related organizations and 600 healthcare institutions participated in the HIMSS conference.

A number of specialist smart solution providers working in the field of comprehensive smart solutions for patient e-medical  files, met with Al Maidoor, on the side-lines of the  exhibition,  as the DHA plans to develop its existing system to be one of the smartest in the world. The delegation also visited the largest providers of community healthcare systems, with the aim of building a detailed health database for all the patient's residing in Dubai.

The delegation visited a number of kiosks during the exhibition to review the latest innovations, amongst which were: a digital display allowing in-patients to select the choice of dietary foods that will be prepared for them by dietary experts as per their conditions. The delegation also visited existing smart hospitals with an aim to see how such smart services can be implemented at DHA hospitals, and to review latest innovative solutions for the smart archiving of digital photos, which began in the DHA in 2007. Thanks to the continues development of technology, digital photos can now be viewed by physicians via smart applications without the need for the physician to be physically present.

Al Maidoor stressed on the importance of establishing a comprehensive healthcare database as it plays a vital role in positively changing the habits and lifestyles of people and society.

Al Maidoor said that a recent US study showed that 70 per cent of medical practitioners use smart apps in their practices. He praised the Dubai leadership in successfully creating a smart society capable of using this technology to a point where it becomes a way of life across the UAE.

The DHA has recently launched a large number of smart apps that it continues to update, and is planning on launching even more specialized apps with the aim of building a safe and happy society by providing smart technologies that serve patients and physicians alike.

Accompanying Al Maidoor on his US trip are Dr. Manal Taryam, CEO of Primary Healthcare Sector and  Head of the Smart Services Committee,  Amani Al Jassmi, Director of DHA IT Department, Dr Mohammad Al Redha, Director Health Data  and Information Analysis Department, Naeema Hassan Al Balooshi, Acting Head of Corporate Applications Section, Ameera Al Sheiban, Senior Systems Analyst and Nadia Al-Marzouqi, member of the Smart Pharmacy Committee.

About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery. 

© Press Release 2015