Together with the support of Dubai Future Foundation through the Global Blockchain Council, du announced plans to revolutionize healthcare in the UAE using pioneering blockchain technology. For the first time in the UAE, du's pilot will introduce a safer common system for instantly sharing and verifying electronic health records (EHR) between hospitals and clinics.
In a presentation at the Keynote Blockchain Technology Conference in Dubai, du explained how it plans to replace the lengthy existing manual process with a system that can transfer, and automatically verify, patient records in seconds. The medical record-sharing process used prior to this technology was both lengthy and cumbersome, and prone to human error. Crucially, blockchain helps tamper-proof sensitive patient records by adding enhanced layers of security, which renew each time a file is shared. As a result, patients are left reassured that any hospital or clinic they visit will have instant access to their medical records. For hospitals and clinics, the new service introduces a more efficient method of treating patients, saving valuable resources and saving costs. The initiative is one of the first to come from the Global Blockchain Council, led by the Dubai Future Foundation, as part of Dubai's Future agenda that was approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum vice president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Carlos Domingo, senior executive officer New Business & Innovation at du said: "We're proud to be bringing another first in innovation to the UAE, and at the same time help Dubai in achieving its ambitions for a healthier, smarter future. We're creating a common, faster protocol for sharing patient information across the UAE, bringing a new age of efficiency to the healthcare sector."
EHR through blockchain technology can also help UAE government to develop big data for the residents of UAE which can assist civil defense and health authorities to plan strategies to overcome any medical emergencies or epidemics. This pilot also marks an important step towards digitizing hospitals to become part of Smart City.
du has also partnered in another Blockchain Technology pilot with Loyyal and Dubai Tourism with the Dubai Global Blockchain Council. Loyyal's Dubai Points initiative is a world-first for any tourist destination to have this scheme. du will be facilitating this loyalty points program by providing communications & identity authentication. This program will offer more business opportunities in the loyalty space.
