Moh highlights significant accomplishments and emergency enhancements during mid-year assessment
In the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) continues to lead the charge in healthcare improvements, digital health services, and international cooperation.
Amidst the transition from the Afia insurance contract, MoHAP has assured the public that medical services will remain uninterrupted. This commitment is evident in the ministry's response to over 86,000 emergency cases in various sectors, including 5,000 traffic accidents and 420 airlifted patients, in January alone.
In a bid to enhance healthcare service efficiency, the ministry's Artificial Intelligence Office is accelerating AI adoption. This move aims to support data-driven decision-making, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a "Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme".
MoHAP's efforts to foster medical research were on display at the Second Scientific Conference on Health and Medical Research, which aimed to promote national capabilities and build a dynamic ecosystem within the UAE’s health sector.
To further improve public health, mandatory genetic testing will be part of the premarital screening program for Emiratis, starting January 2025. This proactive step is designed to enable informed health decisions.
Internationally, MoHAP collaborates with global and regional entities, such as the Pan American Health Organization and WHO, facilitating projects like cholera vaccination campaigns and digital health system expansions in other countries.
The ministry's recent initiatives also include the launch of the "First Responder" service with 28 field units, improving emergency response times, particularly in remote areas. A new triage system based on Canadian standards has been adopted, and a new MRI wing was opened at Al-Razi Hospital, alongside a full-service medical center at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing.
MoHAP has introduced traveler services, including vaccination clinics and digital maps, to cater to the influx of visitors. Primary healthcare sees improvements with 117 centers operating nationwide, 30% of them operating around the clock. Online pre-booking for visiting doctors has been made available, streamlining the process for patients.
The ministry has welcomed 140 international medical experts to treat patients and train local staff, and is recruiting about 300 nurses monthly from abroad to meet healthcare demands. The number of traffic accidents has decreased following the enforcement of new traffic laws.
In a press conference, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad reaffirmed MoHAP's commitment to high-quality care and urged the public to rely on official sources to combat health misinformation. The Sahal app, a digital health service, is now used by over 338,000 people.
These latest updates from MoHAP underscore the UAE's dedication to advancing healthcare, promoting digital health technologies, enhancing public health screening programs, fostering medical research, and engaging in international health cooperation and emergency response partnerships.
- The MoHAP's Artificial Intelligence Office is not only accelerating AI adoption to support data-driven decision-making but also exploring AI-driven therapies and treatments in the realm of mental health and wellness, aiming to create a more holistic health-and-wellness ecosystem.
- As part of its proactive approach to health, MoHAP plans to integrate fitness-and-exercise programs into its premarital screening and education initiatives, emphasizing the importance of physical health alongside mental health and genetics.
