DHA looking to further embrace AI

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA), in partnership with Roche Diagnostics Middle East, recently hosted a workshop titled "NABIDH Elevate." This initiative showcased Dubai's commitment to advancing healthcare through AI and diagnostic integration.

With its NABIDH platform, Dubai aims to enhance patient care, streamline healthcare processes, and position itself as a global leader in digital health.

How does it work?

NABIDH, which stands for Network & Analysis Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health, has made significant strides in unifying healthcare data. The platform now connects over 1,300 healthcare facilities and integrates more than 9.47 million patient records. It enables 81% of Dubai's healthcare professionals to access comprehensive patient medical histories, including diagnostics, fostering personalized and informed care.

Through ongoing upgrades, NABIDH will soon incorporate imaging data, further expanding its capabilities. This secure environment ensures reliable health data exchange while upholding privacy and efficiency standards. By providing real-time insights into patient health, the platform empowers healthcare providers to deliver better outcomes and improve coordination across the public and private sectors.

As Dr. Mohammed Al Redha, Director of DHA's Health Informatics and Smart Health Department, noted, "Integrating diagnostics, imaging, and AI into NABIDH is pivotal to Dubai's smart healthcare strategy. This expansion supports DHA's commitment to improving patient outcomes."

Why does it matter?

AI and data-driven innovations are revolutionizing healthcare. NABIDH's integration of diagnostics and imaging with AI enhances early disease detection, improves treatment outcomes, and reduces administrative burdens.

Ms. Mona Bajman, CEO of the Shared Support Services Sector at DHA, emphasized this impact: "Artificial intelligence represents a true revolution in the healthcare sector, enhancing the quality of services provided to patients, streamlining administrative and medical processes, enabling early disease diagnosis, and improving treatment outcomes for patients."

In addition, these advancements align with Dubai's broader goals of health sustainability and competitiveness. By connecting healthcare facilities and offering stakeholders comprehensive data, NABIDH supports informed decision-making and strengthens the healthcare system's resilience to challenges.

Moritz Hartmann, Global Head of Information Systems at Roche, praised Dubai's approach: "Digital transformation in healthcare unlocks tremendous opportunities — from early diagnosis of diseases to prevention and treatment... Successful integration of data not only better supports patients but also improves internal coordination, drives efficiencies, and brings down costs for healthcare providers."

The context

Dubai's digital health initiatives reflect a strategic vision for a connected and data-driven healthcare system. With NABIDH at its core, the city is paving the way for a future where AI and advanced diagnostics play central roles in improving patient care. These efforts also align with the global shift towards personalized medicine and value-based healthcare.

The "NABIDH Elevate" workshop is part of an ongoing collaboration between DHA and the private sector, demonstrating the potential of public-private partnerships to drive innovation. As the platform evolves, it will continue to support Dubai's goal of becoming a global leader in smart health technologies, offering a model for other regions to follow.

By integrating cutting-edge technology and fostering collaboration, Dubai Health Authority addresses present healthcare challenges and builds a resilient and forward-looking health ecosystem.

As Ms. Bajman stated, "Through initiatives like NABIDH, we have significantly improved healthcare services in Dubai by connecting healthcare facilities and providing comprehensive data to stakeholders."