Digital modelling features in Dubai’s post-COVID plans

Introducing collaborative and proactive approaches will revolutionise healthcare. Further development is still needed, though, to ensure that the future potential of novel technologies can be fully exploited to track patients’ data and leverage the information to predict when interventions are needed in real time to avoid medical complications. 

A recent workshop, organised by Dubai Economy as part of a broader Future Economy Lab project, explored how to maximise these opportunities in Dubai, and across the UAE and Middle East.

The workshop identified a number of key areas where further development in the UAE would be needed. Building strong frameworks upon which to build the technology is one of the first steps, together with ensuring ethical policies are in place to protect patients’ information and how it is used. Attracting investments to the region is another vital piece of the puzzle – with medical R&D a high priority. Healthcare costs in Dubai are high, considering 80% of medical needs being met through imported goods. As digital and home-based healthcare increases when compared to traditional face to face treatment models, there will be a similar need to ensure linkages between systems are seamless.

Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, CEO of corporate strategic affairs at Dubai Economy said, “Dubai has great opportunities to capitalise further on the digitisation of healthcare, and I am encouraged to see many ideas on how Dubai can be the test-bed for new digital healthcare innovation and new business models.”

Private sector partnerships with the government will also be key to the digital future of healthcare, allowing access to the most innovative and specialised services.