The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently hosted a virtual event to mark the occasion of "UAE Codes Day". The event was attended by leading doctors and healthcare workers from the government, MoHAP, and private entities and institutions.

As part of the webinar, the MoHAP took the review of various national initiatives launched by the government to support the digital health sector in the UAE such as Riayati, Tatmeen and Sphere platforms. Participants also discussed potential ways to support digital trends in federal operations.

Notably, the UAE Codes Day is observed on an annual basis on October 29 to celebrate coding and programming professionals. The annual occasion was approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with the aim of celebrating exceptional initiatives to attract and develop a new generation of programmers in the country. It will further enhance the country’s journey towards the future and help relevant agencies in achieving the goals of the UAE Centennial 2071.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Al Ajmi, Director of Digital Health Department at the MOHAP, underlined that the online gathering provided an ideal platform to the participants to discuss the achievements of the ministry in the fields of coding and programming. Al Ajmi added that the ministry is ensuring all possible measures to deliver innovative solutions and enhance the UAE's digital health sector by utilising the advanced, state-of-the-art technological infrastructure.

Al Ajmi affirmed that the MOHAP will proactively employ the latest techniques and technologies to boost the digitisation of the country’s health services in accordance with the best international practices and artificial intelligence.

"This comes in line with our ongoing efforts to capitalise on the latest technologies provided by the Fourth Industrial Revolution," he said.

In addition, Al Ajmi highlighted that Riayati and Tatmeen platforms were launched by the ministry to support the UAE’s digital health sector.

Explaining the Riayati platform, he said it features updated data of patients' medical records and links the public with private health facilities to share the data with concerned entities. As of now, the platform is being used to implement the post office initiative with the aim of providing a seamless workflow between healthcare facilities and insurance companies.

He added that the ministry has been working diligently to ensure the safety of all medicines dispensed to patients. In this regard, the ministry launched the Tatmeen digital platform that uses advanced serialisation and tracing technology to keep a track of medicines from production to end delivery to patients to enhance the health and safety of medical products.

Dr. Nada Hasan Al Marzouqi, Director of MoHAP's Preventive Medicine Department, further asserted that the SPHER platform consists of an integrated system to conduct early surveillance, investigation, follow-up and management of various strategies impacting public health.

Al Marzouqi clarified that the integrated platform documents the impact of preventive health interventions to strengthen public health and safety. It also monitors the growth of epidemics, limits their spread, and follows up on immunisations.

"From conducting epidemiological analysis to measuring relevant indicators and using them to make decisions based on evidence, and creating an instantaneous dashboard at the state level, the platform will significantly contribute to preserving public and community health," Al Marzouqi added.

 WAM