• Representatives from Malaffi will discuss the new image exchange platform that facilitates the sharing of medical images between DOH-licensed hospitals and clinics

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Malaffi, the first Health Information Exchange (HIE) in the Middle East and North Africa and a strategic initiative of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, today announced its participation at HIMSS23 Global Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, USA. Malaffi has been selected for the third consecutive year to present at the annual conference, which runs from April 17-21 this year.

With HIMSS one of the most important global meetings for the digital healthcare industry, the participation of Abu Dhabi at the conference reflects the visionary strides the emirate is making in the area of digital transformation in healthcare.

Robert Denson, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Dr Sanji de Sylva, Vice President of Clinical Engagement and Informatics at Malaffi, will deliver an education session titled ‘Transforming Healthcare in Abu Dhabi: Implementing an HIE-wide Image Exchange,’ on April 20. As part of the technology and interoperability track, the presentation will discuss the journey to implement an Image Exchange Solution as the latest advancement of the HIE platform and one that few select HIEs boast of globally. The solution offers Abu Dhabi physicians access to their patient’s diagnostic images from different health organisations and therefore reduces duplication, cost, and unnecessary radiation, while improving decision-making and patient outcomes.

Robert Denson shared: “Since its launch in 2019, Malaffi has connected almost the entire sector in Abu Dhabi. Adding to our centralised database that links more than 2,500 private and public healthcare facilities, the Image Exchange Solution enables the sharing of medical images and supports physicians in Abu Dhabi to work in alignment, irrespective of their location. We are excited to return to the HIMSS global conference and share the experience of implementing this significant advancement to the Malaffi platform. HIMSS is the ideal environment to explore cutting-edge solutions that are optimising the delivery of modern healthcare and we are delighted to contribute to the global knowledge,”.

Visitors to HIMSS23 will have the opportunity to see the Image Exchange Solution in action at a panel discussion on April 18, also featuring Dr De Sylva and Denson hosted at the booth of Philips, who provided the solution together with EMITAC as the local implementation partner.

Marc Antoine Zora, General Manager, Philips Gulf & Levant said: “At Philips, we believe that advanced technologies have the power to enhance patient-centric care that improves people’s lives. Indeed, our latest research in the UAE has highlighted that one of the four top factors making it easier for people to focus on their health is doctors having access to their information, regardless of the facility they visit. We are proud to provide a solution that enables a seamless exchange of diagnostic images in Abu Dhabi, together with the DOH and Malaffi, enabling radiologists and clinicians to reach the best possible diagnosis and outcomes for the patient, while lowering costs and improving the patient and caregiver experience. We are very proud that this successful implementation with our partners is being showcased at the global digital health stage at HIMSS23.”

Malaffi’s participation at HIMSS23 is a testament of the concerted efforts to provide world-class healthcare to Abu Dhabi’s residents. Their ultimate aim is to lead a transformation in the healthcare services paradigm – one that sees the current model of disease treatment and the patient as a passive recipient of care to one of disease prevention and empowered individuals, making informed choices.

Malaffi connects over 2,500 healthcare facilities offering healthcare services to more than three million people in the Emirate. 100% of Abu Dhabi-based hospitals, 99% of clinics and 99% of pharmacies in the emirate are connected to the platform. Through Malaffi, more than 45,000 authorised users have access to over 1.7 billion unique patient records in Abu Dhabi.

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About Malaffi

Malaffi (Arabic for ‘My File’) is the region’s first Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform that safely and securely connects public and private healthcare providers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Malaffi enables the meaningful, real-time exchange of important patient health information between healthcare providers, creating a centralised database of unified patient records to ultimately improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Malaffi is operated by Abu Dhabi Health Data Services - Sole Proprietorship LLC (ADHDS), having been established under a Public Private Partnership with the Department of Health–Abu Dhabi. As part of the DOH’s strategic priorities, Malaffi is a key component of the digital transformation of the healthcare system in Abu Dhabi.  

By providing instant access to the patient’s longitudinal medical file, Malaffi facilitates the making of better-informed and more efficient clinical decisions, enhances coordination and transition of care, reduces unnecessary duplication of tests and procedures, reduces the risk of medical error, and improves patient safety and experience. As a centralised database of robust population health information collated from nearly all patient episodes in the Emirate Malaffi informs and drives the DOH’s public health initiatives for a healthier Abu Dhabi. Malaffi has received the ISO 27001:2013 Certification (International Organization for Standardization) and accreditation by the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) for the Health Information Exchange Accreditation Program (HIEAP) – recognising excellence in data privacy and security best practices. Malaffi is the first HIE outside of the US to ever have been awarded HIEAP accreditation. 

By connecting 100% of hospitals and 99% of all patient episodes in Abu Dhabi in just three years, Malaffi is noted as of the fastest HIE rollouts in the world. 

For more information, please visit www.malaffi.ae.  

For media inquiries: Sakshi Sreewani / malaffi@bcw-global.com

About Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips’ patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2022 sales of EUR 17.8 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

For media inquiries: email: rengin.erdinc@philips.com