The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DoH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai recently, to bolster joint efforts in health data and information exchange.

The agreement, signed by Dr Salem Abdulrahman Al Darmaki, Advisor to the Minister of Health and Prevention, and Dr Rashed Obaid Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector at Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, seeks to integrate statistical efforts and national disease registries across the UAE.

The MoU outlines a framework for the organised exchange, issuance, and dissemination of data, adhering to international standards and best practices. It aims to make full use of health records and databases to enhance system performance through detailed studies and reports, in addition to empowering the workforce, equipping them with skills they need to manage everything from data collection, documentation, and auditing to sharing and dissemination.

Dr Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, emphasised that the recently signed MoU with the Department of Health—Abu Dhabi represents a significant step forward in enhancing collaboration in health data exchange across the UAE. 

He added, “The secure and effective exchange of health information is the backbone for building a healthcare system that is not only smart and sustainable but also competitive and in step with national priorities.”