UAE Health ministry launches blockchain-based platform for medical data

The platform aims to raise the efficiency of health authorities' smart services, in line with the outcomes of the annual meetings of the UAE government.

UAE Health ministry launches blockchain-based platform for medical data

The Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City and other relevant health authorities, has recently launched the first advanced digital platform to store the data for health, pharmaceutical government and private facilities, health practitioners; as well as drug information.

The blockchain-based platform aims to raise the efficiency of MoHAP and other health authorities’ smart health services, in line with the outcomes of the annual meetings of the UAE government.

The new platform is part of MoHAP’s plans for incorporating AI into health services, pursuant to the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy, one of the pioneering projects of the UAE Centennial 2071.

Based on the best technologies, high-end equipment and owing to the comprehensiveness of its benefits provided to all members of society — the project is forming a “significant shift in the health sector.” It will help streamline the search for health facilities and its licensed medical and technical personnel and their expertise, in 3 steps using MoHAP App.

It is also possible to inquire about any medication, in terms of the manufacturer, the active substance, the price, the approved agent, and the method of use.

Furthermore, the project would help provide ease, efficiency, and effectiveness of work for health inspectors, all while encouraging medical tourism by providing easy access to high-quality integrated information on health care in the country.

“The transition to the AI technologies is in line with the directives of the wise leadership to make the UAE a leading global model in the proactive confrontation of future challenges and focus on smart health care,” said Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Public Health Policy and Licenses. “The AI-based projects will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of health care services and providing smart medical solutions, in accordance with the UAE Centennial 2071, and its artificial intelligence strategy.”

Dr. Lubna Al Shaali, Director of Public Health Policy Department, also commented, “This blockchain-based platform would help secure an unchangeable, decentralized and encrypted database with high-security protection to verify data validity and reliability.”

She added that the use of blockchain technology would help improve data and information verification and consistency. This, in turn, will provide a high level of transparency and confidence in the healthcare services sector.