UAE’s EHS to modernize radiology services

Emirates Health Services (EHS) is giving its radiology services a serious facelift — not just a tune-up, but a full-scale overhaul aimed at marrying cutting-edge technology with patient-first care. This ambitious program dovetails with the UAE's wider digital transformation vision, where better healthcare is a pillar of a better life.

As Dr. Amina Al Jasmi, Director of the Radiology Department at EHS, puts it, these moves mark "a qualitative leap in service quality" — one that's as much about speed and accuracy as it is about comfort and accessibility.

How does it work?

At the heart of the plan is a multi-pronged push:

• Artificial Intelligence in Imaging: AI now helps spot early breast cancer in mammograms, detect lung diseases like tuberculosis from chest scans, flag hairline fractures invisible to the human eye, and even identify osteoporosis from X-rays originally taken for other reasons.
• Smarter Workflows: Patient journeys are being redesigned so the process feels less like a maze and more like a straight line.
• Next-Gen Equipment: Digital imaging systems, high-resolution ultrasound tech, and smart interfaces are rolling out across multiple EHS facilities.
• Comfort-Driven Spaces: Imaging rooms are being refitted to make the experience less clinical and more human.

The AI rollout is already paying dividends. Breast imaging repeat visits have plunged by 88%. Waiting for results has gone from nearly three weeks to a "same-day diagnosis" model. As Dr. Amina notes, "AI adoption has significantly improved image quality and reduced diagnosis times," making a tangible difference to patients' lives.

Why does it matter?

In medicine, minutes matter — and in diagnoses, days can change outcomes. By collapsing diagnostic wait times from 19 days to one, EHS isn't just making life more convenient; it's potentially saving lives. Faster, sharper imaging means earlier interventions and less anxiety for patients.

Plus, integrating these services into EHS's smart app gives patients more control — from booking appointments to accessing reports without setting foot in a hospital.

This isn't just an upgrade; rather, it's a redefinition of what timely care looks like in the digital age.

The context

The UAE has been steadily building a healthcare ecosystem that's as integrated and tech-savvy as its smart cities. Radiology, often tucked away in the background of patient care, is now being brought into the spotlight as a driver of prevention, precision, and trust. These changes at EHS are part of a broader wave — one where healthcare systems use AI not to replace clinicians, but to sharpen their tools and free them to focus on what they do best: care for patients.

As Dr. Amina emphasizes, the transformation is about creating "integrated, innovative, and secure healthcare solutions" that align with the country's long-term vision for a digitally advanced health sector.