Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched the third and final phase of the unified electronic system Salama, in Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital, Thalassemia Center, Dubai Gynecology and Fertility Center and all DHA Medical Fitness Centers. 

Salama, which was launched under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai, in February 2016, is a DHA-wide project that aims to provide patients and doctors access to medical records through a patient portal and ensure that the electronic patient medical record is available across the DHA health facilities.

The first phase was launched in April in Rashid Hospital, Barsha Health center,  Airport Medical Center, Dermatology Center and Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center while the second phase was launched in in Dubai Hospital, Dubai Diabetes Center, the Family Gathering Center and all Primary Health Care Centers.

So far more than 1.4 million DHA patient medical records and more than 112 million transactions have been transferred to the Salama system.

Commenting on the launch, His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA said the authority is keen to achieve initiatives and projects that aim to fulfil its goals towards a happier and healthier community in line with the wise vision of the UAE leadership.  

He also pointed out that the authority has completed the Salama project in record time as it was initially expected to launch in 2018, however the authority speeded it up due to the urgency and importance of having such a unified electronic medical record system. 

Al Qutami commended all those who have contributed to the success of the project adding that this reflects the teamwork that drives the development of the authority and the health sector in Dubai.

Amani Al Jassmi, Director of Information Technology at the DHA said Salama allows vital patient information such as the medical history of the patient and his family, the surgeries the patient underwent, lab test results and X-ray reports, to be accessed by DHA doctor at the ease from all DHA facilities.

This reduces the patient’s waiting time, reduce costs and allow patients to communicate with doctors quickly.

Al Jasmi said that patients are not the only benefiters of the system, as it will allow doctors to use pre-customized order sets in seconds to provide patients the care they deserve faster. It helps nurses’ access patients medical record instantly and from anywhere. It allows admins to prepare and print reports for patients more quickly so that they can focus their time on more important tasks and finally it enables allied health to assess patient’s progress using historical lab results to make more informed decisions on their care

Al Jasmi said that what makes Salama special is that it integrates 25 application in one interface making it easier to access different applications at the click of a bottom.

Furthermore, it provides healthcare providers across the DHA network with quick access to patient records.

She said that the Healthcare providers will receive consolidated and integrated patient information, which gives providers a rapid, complete overview of the patient’s condition.

She added that 11,000 DHA employees were trained to use Salama. While the 60 employees who have worked on implementing Salama have been trained in the UAE and in the US by the international company EPIC. 

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Mahmoud Al Ali 
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority 
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority 
klgupta@dha.gov.ae n
nnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455

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 Humaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

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 2017