The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has revealed plans to “enhance” its use of smart health technology, exploring remote-patient monitoring in the first instance.

To coincide with the occasion of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Innovates 2021, the authority said that it is currently collaborating with Enpy, a Dubai-based startup that specialises in medical artificial Intelligence (AI), to consider the use of Enpy’s latest AI-powered device for remote monitoring. No further details were provided by the DHA at this time.

On its LinkedIn page, Enpy describes itself as on a “mission is to accelerate the world’s access to preventive healthcare”.

“We are keen to use the latest health technologies with an aim to better both healthcare management and patient-centered care,” explained Manal Taryam, CEO of DHA’s Primary Healthcare unit. “Over the last few years, we have focused on home patient monitoring especially for elderly patients. We have also swiftly foraged into telemedicine. 

“The use of technology for remote-patient monitoring is of particular importance in the current healthcare landscape of the world and we are keen to continue collaborating with firms locally and globally to implement healthcare technologies after an evidence-based analysis.”

Enpy’s AI-powered product has been described as an “all-in-one, non-invasive medical device” that is able to be paired with a smartphone or tablet. It then monitors important information, such as vital signs, in order to make patients make better decisions.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

A report released last month revealed that the majority of health and service (HHS) organisations in the UAE plan to invest further in digital technology and data solutions after “seeing their value and increasing importance during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Led by EY, in collaboration with the Imperial College’s Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI), the report – titled 'Harnessing the power of data to improve the health and wellbeing of citizens: Can reality catch up with ambition?' – found that the country is leading the way in the uptake of digital technology and data solutions recently. It is believed that the UAE was able to scale up technology more rapidly due to “its sound technological infrastructure and investments in cutting edge technology such as AI in recent times.” 

Looking ahead, 53% of UAE respondents from HHS organisations said that they planned on further investing in these advanced solutions over the next three years.

“Over the next few months, the actions of regulators, payers, service providers, vendors and service users will become increasingly important, and will pave the way for increased usage of digital technologies and analytical tools within HHS organisations around the world,” commented Mohammad Sear, MENA Digital Government and Public Sector Consulting at EY. “Doing so successfully, however, will require all stakeholders in the sector to come together, innovate and find ways to ensure that these promising technologies are being used to their maximum potential and delivering improved – and in many cases, vital – services to their citizens.”

ON THE RECORD

Awadh Al Ketbi, Director General of the DHA stressed the importance of “fostering and promoting a culture of innovation, particularly in the health sector,” in the emirate.

He added: “DHA will continue to focus on research, innovation and implementation of smart technologies across all aspects of healthcare delivery and management. At the same time, the authority will continue its focus on medical education and specialisations in the health sector.

“DHA plans to implement such technologies across its primary healthcare centres to foster its remote patient monitoring initiatives to empower patients, ensure they stay on-track with their health and to aid in early detection. It will also help healthcare professionals by providing them with vital patient data to ensure regular follow-up and better patient compliance.”