In line with the UAE vision and Dubai Health Strategy 2016-2021 that seeks to make the population of the emirate healthier and happier by providing world-class healthcare services and fostering creativity and innovation, the Dubai Health Authority has established an Innovation Centre to support healthcare innovation. The launch coincides with the on-going UAE Innovation Month initiatives.
The new Innovation Centre is located next to the Rashid Medical Library in DHA. His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority inaugurated the centre. He said, “At the DHA we are keen on harnessing new technologies and fostering innovation not just in the medical field but also across allied services such as healthcare management, pharmaceuticals and medical devices so that all aspects of the health sector develop and thrive.
“In healthcare, innovation directly leads to better patient outcomes and this is the at the core of our strategy: providing high-quality patient-centric care. Through this centre, we aim to work consistently with the private health sector and universities to ideate and bring to life meaningful innovations in healthcare that will transform the health sector and directly benefit patients.”
Al Qutami highlighted that since DHA began the journey towards implementing new innovative technologies in healthcare, there have been significant achievements in the field of 3D printing. DHA has already conducted several successful surgeries using this technology. Moreover, the DHA dental department has implemented 3D printing in its practice.
Dr. Farida Al Khaja, Head of the Innovation Council at the DHA said, “This centre will be a catalyst and help us support innovation in healthcare, which transcends beyond the DHA and includes the medical community in the UAE and abroad. We are keen to work with stakeholders to develop innovations that will benefit patients and enhance the well-being of our community.”
Mai Al Dossari, Head of the Innovation Centre at DHA said, “The Innovation Centre will ensure round-the-year activation and participation. Harnessing creativity and innovation by generating and transforming ideas into reality to deliver value based and sustainable healthcare services by engaging all partners and stakeholders is our mission.”
She said in line with the DHA innovation strategy 2017-2020, the Authority will enhance the culture of innovation in the DHA, develop innovation management processes and implement innovation across DHA services.
Al Dossari added that the Authority will organise an annual hackathon and invite students to develop innovative ideas in healthcare.
