Over the weekend, the Emirates News Agency reported that the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) launched a blockchain platform for storing healthcare and pharmaceutical data.
The platform has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City, and other health authorities in the country. It is part of MoHAP’s strategy to integrate AI into health services and raise the efficiency of smart healthcare.
The blockchain platform will be offered to users through MoHAP’s app, and enable storing of health and pharmaceutical data, government and private facilities, and health practitioners. Using the platform, users can search for health facilities, licensed medical and technical personnel, and their expertise.
Hence MoHAP’s solution does not look like merely a health data blockchain. It will work as a registry of healthcare workers and centers, and in theory, will provide easier verification by government agencies.
Last year, Ledger Insights reported on MoHAP’s launch of a blockchain system to record and share the assessment information of health professionals. It is likely the learnings from this project were used for the new health blockchain.
The platform also allows users to search for drug details, such as manufacturer and method of use. Additionally, the platform will promote medical tourism by providing data about the healthcare available in the UAE.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is perhaps the more pervasive technology in the solution. “The AI-based projects will play a key role in enhancing the capabilities of health care services and providing smart medical solutions,” said Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of MoHAP’s Public Health Policy and Licenses division.
“This innovative platform comes as part of MoHAP’s strategy to develop smart systems and provide the best smart electronic services, to achieve customer happiness and implement the standards of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and smart government enablers,” added Al Amiri.
This blockchain initiative may be linked to the recent launch of the ‘Digital Healthcare’ Centre by the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, and telecoms company Etisalat. The project aims to drive innovation in digital health by using blockchain, AI, and big data, further enhancing healthcare services in the country.
Other healthcare projects
Several entities are trialing healthcare blockchains to improve data verification. The ProCredEx blockchain credentialing system initiated by Hashed Health includes membership from the U.S. National Government Services, Spectrum Health, WellCare, Accenture, and The Hardenbergh Group.
IBM is working with health insurance companies Aetna, Anthem, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), and PNC Bank on a blockchain project for claims and payment processing, health data exchanges, and up-to-date provider directories.
Meanwhile, MD-Staff developer Applied Statistics & Management (ASM) has launched a blockchain credentialing solution called Checksome for health professionals.
