The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), and MSD GCC to experiment with blockchain technology in the first of its kind initiative in the healthcare sector across the region.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director from MSD GCC, a leading biopharmaceutical company, and Kareem Shahin, Acting CEO from ADHDS, the operator of Abu Dhabi’s Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform ‘Malaffi.’
Signed on the sidelines of Arab Health 2024, the agreement will see the three entities come together and collaborate to assess blockchain potential while utilizing the neutral platform of the PharmaLedger Association (PLA), a non-profit global organization, to assess the technology and framework potential to support Abu Dhabi in achieving its ambitious vision of fortifying its healthcare ecosystem.
Arab Health is the largest medical exhibition in the Middle East and is taking place this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 29th January to 1st February 2024.
Furthermore, MSD GCC will play a pivotal role in this collaboration by providing its thought leadership and leveraging its extensive experience with blockchain technology across various application areas and markets.
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi said that, “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s (DoH) partnership with Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS) and MSD GCC serves as a testament to our commitment to working alongside strategic partners within the healthcare sector to shape a future driven by healthcare technology.
“This collaboration further solidifies the department’s ongoing efforts in leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the population’s health and well-being, ultimately paving the way for improved healthcare outcomes and advancing patient-centric care within the Emirate. These efforts further cement Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for healthcare and a hub for life sciences,” Dr. Al Ghaithi added.
