Day: June 22, 2021

DUBAI, Smart Dubai has introduced two additional services from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on its flagship DubaiNow application, namely, Premarital Certificates and Generating a Medical Record Number (MRN).

DubaiNow is Smart Dubai’s comprehensive go-to app for all smart city services, providing users with access to more than 130 government and private sector services from over 30 entities, including government departments and private companies.

“Seamless, fast, and paper-free services are a major part of our mission at Smart Dubai, where we strive to build a sophisticated and world-leading smart city of the future that ensures its people’s happiness and wellbeing above all else,” said Wesam Lootah, CEO of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment. “With that in mind, we launched our DubaiNow application to offer citizens and residents a one-stop shop for all government interactions, transactions, and procedures – all available at their fingertips.”

“Smart Dubai is committed to collaborating with government entities across every sector, as directed by our wise leadership,” Lootah added. “We are delighted to be working with the Dubai Health Authority yet again to add two new DHA services to the DubaiNow application, further facilitating access to health services for citizens and residents in the emirate.”

Ahmed Al Nuaimi, CEO of Joint Corporate Support Services at the DHA, emphasised that DHA is keen to foster the use of smart technology, processes and procedures across all aspects of the health sector to further improve efficiencies, enhance hospital management, and enhance patient care and convenience. He said the implementation of smart technology has helped increase the percentage of customer satisfaction.

He added that the DHA is keen to enhance smart transformation and foster the use of smart technologies and solutions in line with the Emirate’s and Smart Dubai’s vision of moving towards a paperless system.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Ahmad Al Obaidli, Executive Director of the Case Management Sector at Dubai Courts, said: “This collaboration forms part of our efforts at Dubai Courts to fulfil the leadership’s directives and establish a smart platform to connect government entities and allow them to provide integrated services, in line with Dubai’s ambitious vision for digital transformation. The objective is to enhance our partnership and collaborate to streamline premarital tests and issue digital marriage certificates.”

“We are both committed to making Dubai the world’s smartest city, offering integrated government services to customers,” Al Obaidli added. “Dubai Courts is adamant to always offer top-quality digital and smart services to our partners and customers.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital (AJCSH), the UAE’s first and only hospital dedicated to treating children and adolescents, is to formulate a steering group to study the workflow of genome sequencing in the intensive care setting. The move follows an agreement between the hospital and Illumina Netherlands BV at Arab Health 2021, the Middle East’s leading medical equipment exhibition, which runs in Dubai until 24 June.

The group will look to develop practical knowledge of healthcare providers in genome sequencing in neonatal and pediatric intensive care settings. It will also seek to improve the use of testing, fostering greater understanding of best-use cases, clinical indicators, and the health economics of genome sequencing in the specialized setting.

Under the agreement, Illumina, the world’s leader in next-generation sequencing, is to provide technical expertise, reagents and analysis tools and training to the group.

“There is increasing evidence for rapid, efficient and cost-event genome sequencing in newborns and babies that will save lives,” said Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi, COO, AJCH. “The application of next-generation sequencing has revolutionised the process of making complex diagnoses in paediatric medicine, significantly shortening the time for accurate diagnosis and optimal clinical management in critically ill children.

“Thanks to the support of our partners and stakeholders, this working group will once again push the boundaries in the quest to save young lives,” added Dr. Al Awadhi.

Illumina says its support for the working group is in line with its drive to promote the development of expert consensus on genome sequencing best practice within intensive care.

We are delighted to be working with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital to evaluate the use of rapid whole genome sequencing as a useful tool to introduce into their service. Al Jalila wants to offer its patients the most accurate, cutting edge applications available, and this is what we will evaluate together as part of our worldwide efforts to develop expert consensus on genome sequencing best practice within neonatal intensive care settings,” said Greg Gonzalez, Director, Illumina, Middle East.

Meanwhile, AJCSH, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the independent University of Balamand Dubai (UOBD) which will see the entities collaborate in mutually beneficial educational, training, research, and internship opportunities for the university’s students and its faculty.

Dr. Jihad S. Nader, UOBD’s Vice Chancellor and CEO, commented: “This agreement with Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital is an opportunity for UOBD to reaffirm its strong commitment towards strengthening the collaboration with leading entities in the UAE. It is at the heart of UOBD’s mission for excellence in teaching, rigorous research, and concern for the public good. As such, this collaboration would allow our students and faculty members to engage in mutually beneficial educational, training, research and internship opportunities at Al Jalila Children’s Genomics Centre, covering areas related to cutting-edge biotechnology and genetics testing. This will support our objective to serve the UAE society and contribute to the advancement of the UAE in every sphere.”

Dr. Al Awadhi said, “This MoU is testament to both UOBD and our dedication to offering students hands-on experience across the various departments and activities at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, including training, research, and internship opportunities. This partnership will help strengthen the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem, and in doing so give the young medical students of today the right tools and techniques to tackle the issues of tomorrow.”

AJCH is participating at Arab Health 2021 as part of the Dubai Healthcare City stand alongside partners Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and Al Jalila Foundation, which promotes medical education and research by investing in the UAE’s medical treatment capabilities.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Al Jalila Foundation, a renowned healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical research, education and treatment in the UAE, to support the UAE’s health and medical research sector.

The agreement aims to provide proactive and effective healthcare services that meet the growing healthcare needs of the UAE society. It also forms an official framework for cooperation between the two parties in the field of health and medical research.

The partnership agreement, which comes in line with both entities’ interest to strengthen their joint collaboration, was signed by Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Centres and Clinics Sector, and Abdul Kareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, on the sidelines of Arab Health 2021, running at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from June 21 to 24.

Dr. Mohammad Al Olama, Under-Secretary of MoHAP, and Chairman of the Emirates Health Services (EHS), was present at the signing ceremony in addition to senior officials from both sides.

Constructive Cooperation Under the MoU, both entities will cooperate in conducting national health research projects that would yield clear findings, training opportunities, publishing researches and participating in health and medical conferences, among others.

In addition to dedicating a special office for health researchers to help carry out any research activities, they will also make use of each other’s training rooms in accordance with internal policies, procedures followed and available dates.

Both sides will also work hand in hand in developing proposals and collaborative research programs to help their employees make the most of their available resources, laboratories and equipment, along with supporting innovation programs in the health and medical fields based on health research findings.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdulrahman bin Mohamad Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stressed that the ministry’s cooperation with Al Jalila Foundation is one of the tangible results of the National Strategy for Health Research, which constitutes an innovative health scientific platform.

“This platform aims to unify national efforts in developing, supporting and disseminating scientific research, promoting a healthy research culture and providing an attractive scientific environment conducive to developing Emirati scientists and researchers according to the highest international practices,” the minister said.

“The UAE has always been keen to be at the forefront of highly advanced countries in the knowledge industry and spared no effort to sharpen the skills of its national capabilities and competencies in biomedical research. With that in mind, we are doing our utmost to develop national strategies to address chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, and stimulate innovation in health care services in addition to foreseeing the future of the healthcare sector,” Al Owais noted.

“We are pressing ahead in line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to implement the National Agenda and the UAE Centennial 2071, which would eventually enhance the country’s competitive position globally and consolidate its reputation as an ideal hub for scientific and medical research, and an active player in the global health scene,” he added.

For his part, Dr. Mohammad Al Olama lauded the newly signed agreement saying it represents a comprehensive framework that would further support both sides’ efforts in the health research domain especially as they are interested in sharing their expertise in the field of research, health data and research libraries.

He went on to say that the deal will also help create a supportive environment for medical scientific research, develop sustainable solutions to health challenges according to the highest levels of transparency and reliability, particularly when it comes to the early detection and prevention of diseases.

Al Olama affirmed that both entities will collaborate in improving health research infrastructure, supporting existing health research centres, enhancing policies, regulations, and ethics for health research, and managing health research funding programmes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hussein Al Rand stated that the ministry’s cooperation agreement with Al Jalila Foundation will bolster the UAE’s research achievements and set the stage for a paradigm shift that would uplift the healthcare system in the country and improve the quality of life for patients.

“According to the agreement, both parties will exchange health information and data related to research and researchers, develop health and medical research programs and projects for researchers in the ministry, Emirates Health Services and Al Jalila Foundation. Other areas of cooperation include training and developing the skills and capabilities of health researchers, and providing electronic programs and research resources for learning according to global best practices,” Al Rand said.

For his part, Abdul Kareem Al Olama said: “We are happy to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Prevention to promote the local medical research sector in line with the strategic priorities of Dubai and the UAE.

“This strategic partnership aims to underpin health and medical research efforts being made by the ministry and the foundation. We will be taking advantage of our capabilities and training experiences to develop health research skills and findings, and exchange health and medical data, in line with the country’s health and medical research strategies contained in the UAE Centennial 2071, which will contribute to supporting the medical research ecosystem in the country,” Al Olama said.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Emirates Health Services (EHS) have launched the “We Care” app at the Arab Health 2021, which kicked off on 21st June and will conclude on 24th June, 2021, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

“We Care” app aims to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of the nursing cadres. The application provides an array of features such as educational resources, health tips and chatting. The app also enables the nurses to track their health status, share their success stories, feedback and suggestions with the top management.

Dr. Youssef Mohamed Al Serkal, EHS Director-General, said, “The nursing profession is one of the most important and strategic professions in health care systems. Therefore, we are keen to provide the essential components to qualify the nursing cadres, provide them with support and assistance, and attract and retain qualified and specialised competencies.”

This helps establish an integrated and world-class health system, embrace best international practices, and enhance the sustainability and contribution of the health system to the comprehensive development process adopted by our wise leadership under an integrated work strategy, he noted.

“The nursing profession has been significantly developed in the UAE, thanks to the launch of innovative and programmes aimed at promoting the nursing profession and consolidating its status in the health sector, by focusing on the continuous training, the utilisation of information technology and research, and the use of best innovation practices in nursing practices,” he added.

Al-Serkal pointed to the importance of launching the ‘National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery -Roadmap for 2025’, which aims to enhance the attractiveness and sustainability of the nursing profession enacting relevant organisational and professional policies, and provide all means of support to the nursing cadres.

Dr. Sumaya Al Balushi, Chairman of the Supreme National Committee for Nursing Affairs, and Director of the Nursing Department, EHS, said, “We’re talking about nursing, which is one of the noble professions that made a difference in our life, especially after the start of the pandemic. That’s why we’ve launched this app to improve their health and wellbeing and their work environment as well.”

The app also features a survey-based tool, through which the platform can identify the physical and mental health of the nursing cadres, and provide the needed support accordingly, while the live chat enables rapid access and direct contact with nursing leaders.

Meanwhile, the two entities highlighted the latest updates made on the “Reaya” app, a new smart tracking solution that was developed in partnership with DU and aims to monitor COVID-19 patients across the UAE until full recovery.

The platform enhances the capabilities of tracking patients, monitoring their recoveries, and sending them alerts and notifications instantaneously about the regular updates of the disease, based on AI technology to significantly enhance the interaction between healthcare providers and patients across the country. App users can sign up via the “Dubai Pulse” app to make sure that they are receiving regular updates.

Source: Emirates News Agency