By Dr Yacine Hadijat, Associate Professor of Innovation in Health Science and Digital Health at MBRU, and Head of Innovation and Digital Health at Dubai Health.
The healthcare sector in Dubai is undergoing a remarkable transformation, propelled by rapid advancements in digital technology. This progress is positioning Dubai as a leading healthcare hub, attracting regional and global partners and fostering public-private partnerships to drive innovation. As the region embraces modernization, Dubai Health is playing a pivotal role by integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and increase system efficiency.
At the forefront of this transformation, Dubai Health is implementing initiatives that showcase the potential of digital health technologies, that align with the Dubai leadership’s vision in advancing healthcare excellence. Throughout its academic health system, Dubai Health is embracing advanced technologies to shape the future of health.
The transformative shift also aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which emphasizes building an efficient healthcare system that promotes healthy lifestyles and ensures accessible, high-quality services.
Dubai Health’s initiatives—such as digital therapeutics solutions aimed at reducing pain and anxiety during medical procedures – exemplify its Patient First promise, putting patients at the center of all efforts.
Virtual Reality for pain and anxiety reduction in medical procedures
In line with Dubai’s vision of integrating technology into healthcare, a study by Dubai Health explores the potential of virtual reality (VR) to reduce pain and anxiety during medical procedures. The initiative, launched at Dubai Health’s Thalassemia Center, focuses on enhancing patient experiences during cannulation procedures, where needle insertion can cause significant discomfort and anxiety. VR technology immerses patients in calming environments, such as beaches or forests, which have been scientifically proven to distract and relax during treatment.
This study, led by medical students at Dubai Health’s Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), is the first of its kind for thalassemia patients in Dubai. Unlike many previous studies that relied primarily on subjective patient feedback, this study’s approach incorporates objective measures such as heart rate and eye movement to assess the effectiveness of VR. Dubai Health plans to expand the use of VR to other healthcare facilities, including Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and Latifa Hospital. It will also develop next-generation electroencephalogram (EEG) and AI-powered personalized interventions.
Dr Fatheya Abbas Al Khaja, Director of the Thalassemia Center, noted that this program aligns with Dubai Health’s core promise of Patient First care. The long-term vision includes integrating AI-powered VR environments that can be customized to individual patient needs, further enhancing the healthcare journey.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with wearable devices
In a collaboration with Huawei, the Dubai Health Innovation and Digital Health Team is conducting a study to validate wrist-based wearable devices for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). These devices, born from a decade of research and development, offer a more comfortable alternative to traditional arm cuffs, allowing 24-hour monitoring without disrupting daily activities.
Hypertension is a significant public health issue, affecting nearly one-third of adults globally. While accurate, traditional ABPM methods can be cumbersome. The new Huawei wearables address this by providing a non-invasive, compact, and convenient solution that integrates seamlessly into patients’ routines. This technology captures vital data throughout the day and night, offering valuable insights, particularly into nighttime blood pressure fluctuations, which are often missed in clinical settings but are critical indicators of cardiovascular health.
The joint study aims to validate the accuracy and utility of these devices in real-world healthcare settings. The findings could pave the way for broader adoption of wearable health technologies, improving not only the early detection of hypertension but also the management of chronic conditions, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Health technologies are reshaping the healthcare landscape, leading to more personalized care, improved patient outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, and potentially more efficient healthcare system overall.
At Dubai Health, we’re proud to incorporate technologies like VR technology and wearable devices for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring within our system. These digital solutions enhance patient care, improve the overall experience, and optimize treatment outcomes, all while creating a more efficient healthcare system. Importantly, it will also help us shift towards a more personalized, data-driven approach to health and wellness.
These technologies are just two solutions we’ve adopted out of more than ten projects we’re working on bringing to the Dubai Health network. By embracing such solutions, Dubai Health remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, reaffirming its commitment to delivering patient-centered care and advancing the standard of medical excellence in the region.
Looking ahead, Dubai Health is dedicated to integrating more digital solutions into its healthcare system to enhance care delivery and patient satisfaction. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, wearables, and expanded telemedicine services are set to play a significant role in the future of healthcare.
Atif Al Braiki, Chief Digital and AI Officer at Dubai Health, commented: “AI is revolutionizing the future of healthcare, driving medical innovation and creating a more efficient healthcare system. At Dubai Health, we are committed to harnessing these technologies to enhance patient care, in line with our ‘Patient-First’ promise.”
Through these digital health tools, Dubai Health aims to ensure that high-quality care is accessible to all.
Conclusion
Dubai Health’s embrace of healthcare technologies represents a significant leap forward in patient care. From reducing anxiety through digital interventions to improving chronic disease management with smart wearable devices, these innovations are already making a difference in the lives of patients. As Dubai continues to invest in its healthcare infrastructure, the role of digital health will only grow, offering new possibilities for enhanced patient care, better health outcomes, and a more resilient healthcare system.
