A few years ago, the UAE government provided an initiative called the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR) – a unified database that combines all digital data about every patient from every clinic in the country. This condition is mandatory for all healthcare services, and though there are still no real deadlines, the local emirate's governments gradually provide this initiative among their clinics. So, it's only a matter of time before you will need to connect your service data to NUMR.
Sounds like some Big (healthcare) Brother? Only at first glance.
The most mysterious and "terrifying" aspect of this initiative – is the lack of a coherent guide on how to connect your clinic to NUMR and which Health Information Exchange (there are three options in UAE) system is preferable for your clinic.
That's why we decided to prepare one: we collected brief reviews of the NUMR digital network and useful tips about each HIE system that will help you to navigate the rapid modernization of the UAE healthcare environment.
A few words about NUMR
NUMR was created to systematize all important clinical data, optimize the UAE disease control, and boost scientific research in health-related industries. Briefly, this digital database will allow the sharing of patients' information about allergies, specific conditions, treatment courses, etc, between clinics in a few seconds.
Thus, authorities will minimize the chance of human mistakes in the treatment process and get an opportunity to guide the healthcare system development.
The connection to NUMR is mandatory for every clinic. Your clinic can not get the license in Dubai and Abu Dhabi without integration into the network. And in a few emirates, you will face severe penalties if you ignore the NUMR initiative.
How to connect to NUMR?
There are three so-called Health Information Exchange (HIE) systems in the UAE integrated into Unified Medical Records:
Their data is integrated into each other, which means that (for example) Malaffi users' information may be received (with patients' permission) by clinics working with Riayati and NABIDH systems.
If you are the clinic owner, you can not join the system directly — you will need a provider of clinic management software (so-called Electronic Medical Record system — EMR), such as Remedico, for the dental industry. We will provide you with a flexible, high-quality data administration system to digitize and systematize all your clinic processes and medical information.
Then, you, theoretically, will be able to integrate your clinic into NUMR. Why "theoretically"? It's because there are specific conditions and terms for each HIE system to connect with.
So, let's review each system.
Malaffi
Region: Abu-Dhabi
Review: This system was provided by the collaboration of Abu-Dhabi health authorities and the private healthcare sector. Mallaffi launched in 2019, and, as the creators claim, this software connects all hospitals in the emirate and includes information about 99% of all patients in Abu-Dhabi.
Conditions: connection to Malaffi is required for all licensed healthcare providers (with a few exceptions among government institutions) in the emirate. The integration deadline for existing clinics has already passed.
If you want to receive an Abu-Dhabi Department of Healthcare License, you should know that connection to Malaffi is on the prerequisites list. To start the integration process, you should make a request two months before the planned DoH License application.
Your ERM system should match specific technical requirements, which should be tuned by your management software provider, such as HL7 formatting and SDWAN connection. As a clinic owner, you also should pass a Malaffi Security Assessment and sign a few agreements with the Malaffi team once your digital data gets well-tuned. Mallafi has a very complicated integration process, but it is quite possible.
NABIDH
Location: Dubai
Review: The platform has been established by the Dubai Health Authority and for now, it includes about 8 million medical records from about 30,000 clinicians and hundreds of healthcare facilities.
Conditions: The NABIDH system is mandatory for renewing your license or receiving a new one in Dubai. To connect with NABIDH, you should first familiarize yourself with a list of criteria and make sure that your clinic matches them. These requirements are about software specification, data digitalization, and coding standards.
Then, you (or your ERM provider) will need to inform the NABIDH service about your readiness and sign the agreement with Dubai Health Authorities. The next step — is to test your EMR's connection with the NABIDH system, if it’s successful — NABIDH will schedule the integration dates (your software will be gradually implemented into the system). After all technical processes are complete — your system will be integrated into the NUMR network.
Riayati
Region: Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm al Quwain)
Review: The "Youngest" system was integrated with Malafi and NABIDH in 2023. At the integration moment, Riayati includes about 2 billion medical records.
Conditions: Riayati is required for all clinics in the Northern Emirates. Considering it was the last among the E-Health ‘triumvirate’, Riayati adapted all actual coding and network standards, absorbing the most feasible features from existing platforms.
You just should make sure your EMR system matches the posted requirements and send your application to the Riayatti team.
Technical Difficulties and Their Solutions
All HIE system has similar requirements for integration, which can be divided into two groups:
- Formatting and coding standards — includes a focus on HL7 format, connection specification, etc, — all this stuff will be handled by your ERM provider.
- Administrative paperwork — you should pass the security assessment and sign the agreement with Malaffi/Riayati/NABIDH services. The amount of required paperwork depends on which HIE system you choose.
Once you decide to establish a new clinic — you have to receive a license, which, in turn, requires integration with one of HIE Systems.
How to choose an EMR system?
Once you decide to connect your clinic to NUMR you will find dozens of different providers. To find the most suitable for you, you should pay attention to software flexibility and usability:
- Take a look at the interface. If it isn’t too complicated, not overloaded with tons of tabs, and has intuitive navigation – is probably a good choice.
- Check the functionality. ERM systems should cover all your specific clinic needs, from administrative tasks to accounting management. It’s better to use cloud-based platforms
- Ask for special features. It would be good if your software would include some technological tools that can advance your services by using AI or VR technology.
By a lucky coincidence for your dental clinic, Remedico combines all the mentioned points in our web-based management system including RemedicoGPT – a smart AI-based administrative assistant, and Dentaverse – a VR environment for your doctors and clients. Currently, we can connect dental clinics to Riayatti and NABIDH Systems, and Malaffi integration is coming soon!
