A smart prescription system that will help reduce medication prescribed by doctors in excess will be launched by the end of the year, said Humaid Obaid Al Qattami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

While addressing public questions on a live Twitter session on Thursday afternoon, Qattami said that the system will be connected to Salama, the DHA's electronic patient medical record project that went live earlier this year.

Qattami answered the questions at the launch of the Leaders at Your Service initiative, which aims to strengthen communication between the authority and the public. The initiative allows the public to ask DHA leaders and officials from different specialisations, any questions, comments and complaints they may have.

He said that the initiative will be held every Wednesday where the public will be given an opportunity to raise their questions and complaints.

Salama project

The Salama project ensures the electronic patient medical record is available across the DHA health facilities. Additionally, it will help provide patients access to their medical record through a patient portal.

The second phase of the project will be launched in August following the success of the first phase, which was launched in April in Rashid Hospital, Barsha Health centre, Airport Medical Centre, Dermatology Centre and Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre.

So far, more than 1.4 million DHA patient medical records and more than 112 million transactions have been transferred to the Salama system. The third phase of the Salama initiative will be launched in November in Latifa Hospital, Hatta Hospital, Thalassaemia Centre, Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre and all DHA Medical Fitness Centres.

"Among the innovative solutions that the authority has adopted is launching the smart robot in Rashid Hospital. The smart robot will be launched in all DHA hospitals by the end of this year," he said.

Preparations for Expo 2020

He also received questions about the authority's preparation for Expo 2020. He revealed that the authority is developing all its hospitals and medical facilities to increase its capabilities to provide the needed services to the people of Dubai and meet the needs of Expo 2020. He said that the authority is now implementing a number of expansions and opening new facilities in preparations for the event.

Al Qattami also said the authority sent a delegation to Expo Milan a year ago to better learn about the medical needs of the event.

Replying to complaints on long waiting time at the DHA's medical facilities, he said that the authority receives a high number of patients, which reflects the trust customers have in the authority's medical services. This ultimately affects the waiting time.

He said that the authority has started the expansion works in the infrastructure and medical facilities to meet the growing demand of customers, which totalled to 2.19 million last year in DHA hospitals. He added that some healthcare facilities increase its working hours to cope with the demand and achieve customer satisfaction.

Twitterati also asked why the Dubai Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre was open only until 2pm to which Qattami replied that there are plans to develop the centre and increase timings to include morning and night shifts.

"The centre's services and procedures will also witness a notable development to achieve customer satisfaction," he said.

He also mentioned that the DHA had a strategic plan to provide healthcare programmes for people with disabilities.

Source: Khaleej Times