UAE Health Ministry Introduces Blockchain Storage Platform for Medical Data

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City and other authorities has introduced a health data storage platform based on blockchain.

The recent news release of The Emirates News Agency from February 2 reveals, that the platform is designed to enhance the efficiency of MoHAP and other health authorities’ smart health services. It will facilitate search for health facilities and medical experts, as well as medicine supply chains, with a dedicated MoHAP App.

Dr. Lubna Al Shaali, the Director of the Public Health Policy Department, detailed that the new blockchain-based data storage platform will ensure an immutable, decentralized and encrypted database with high protection level, which will assist in verifying data validity and reliability.

The Ministry also disclosed its plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare services. Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention’s Public Health Policy and Licenses, said:

The AI-based projects will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of health care services and providing smart medical solutions, in accordance with the UAE Centennial 2071, and its artificial intelligence strategy.”

The UAE and blockchain

Several reports indicate, that 80% of government organizations besides healthcare in the UAE have begun implementing blockchain. For instance, the Department of Economic Development in Dubai has announced its shift to a blockchain-based unified business registry platform aimed at simplifying business in Dubai and allow license issuers to manage trade licenses and corporate registries.

Leveraging decentralized, secure and transparent blockchain technology, the healthcare sector may benefit substantially. However, there are several issues which should be resolved, such as the real-world adaptation of its applications, when regulation, privacy, business and provider and patent interactions unique for healthcare are taken into consideration.