Abu Dhabi patients to get access to medical records on new app

The move will encourage people to take better care of themselves, officials hope

A preview of the app is shown at the Arab Health conference in Dubai
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Abu Dhabi residents will soon be able to access their own medical records on their smartphones, it has been announced.

A new app to be rolled out later this year will mean a summary of a person’s medical history, test results and medication will be accessible at the touch of a button.

The move is part of a wider digitalisation of patient medical records in Abu Dhabi, which health chiefs believe will improve patient care, through a portal known as Malaffi.

Malaffi is an example of the critical role of technology in transforming the patient experience

The new app will help people take a more pro-active approach to their health, Department of Health officials said.

A recent poll, conducted by YouGov, found that nearly nine in ten (88 per cent) of residents would be interested in downloading the app.

“DoH continues to work in unison with strategic partners in the healthcare sector to set the stage for a future driven by healthcare technology, innovation and artificial intelligence, all in the name of enhancing the quality of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector,” said Mohammed Hamad Al Hameli, undersecretary of the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi.

“As such, Malaffi is an example of the critical role of technology in transforming the patient experience and empowering residents to monitor and manage their medical care.”

The wider Malaffi system is available to 15,000 care providers, and includes the records of 3 million patients.

Officials hope the initiative will ensure medics are guaranteed accurate records, regardless of whether patients have been looked after elsewhere. Patients are not able to opt out of the system.

"We believe that the way to overcome today’s considerable healthcare challenges – particularly in this brave new, digital world – is to develop more advanced and accessible approaches to healthcare delivery,” Atif Al Braiki, chief executive of Malaffi said.

“We are extremely proud of the strides we have made so far and remain committed to creating a healthier Abu Dhabi – as exemplified by our Malaffi patient app.”