UAE - e-services to help cut health costs

Developing electronic and mobile healthcare services will help reduce costs in a post-recession era, said experts at the Arab Health Congress 2012 that opened on Monday.

DUBAI - Developing electronic and mobile healthcare services will help reduce costs in a post-recession era, said experts at the Arab Health Congress 2012 that opened on Monday.

Healthcare experts discussed strategies to align resources to deliver and operate successful electronic systems across the region. The systems, they said, would offer patients greater freedom of choice by facilitating ‘seamless’ patient movement.

A law on Electronic Health Records has been drafted and is currently pending Cabinet approval, said Dr Mohammad Al Redha, Acting Director, Health Data and Information Analysis Department, Health Policy & Strategy Sector, Dubai Health Authority, while addressing the Electronic Healthcare Records Forum held for the first time alongside the congress.

“A health information network is being chalked out for the emirate,” he said, adding that it was currently at the very basic level. “Integration plans between the government and private sector are already underway,” explained Dr Redha. The current number of hospitals in Dubai is 25 and the number is growing.

Dr Redha said that Electronic Health Records (EHR) and the planned network would improve patient care, reduce costs, make Dubai’s presence felt globally and promote medical tourism. “However, we need sustainable and affordable technology,” he added.

Also, in recognition of the growing importance of mobile health in the Middle East, the mHealth conference will be held for the first time today. “Across the region, there is already a huge burden on healthcare systems due to rising costs, scarce resources and lack of capacity. Mobile health technology will enable medical professionals to manage many patients remotely, monitoring conditions in real time and sharing vital statistical information between the healthcare provider and the patient,” commented Farid Faraidooni, chief commercial officer, du.

Mobile Health is a term for medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient-monitoring devices, PDAs, and other wireless devices, and forms part of an increasing movement towards citizen-centred health.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, inaugurated the four-day event. Senior officials from the Health Ministry and DHA said the event is going to be a complete success. Last year, the event generated Dh3.6 billion.

Asma Ali Zain

Khaleej Times Online

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