Within the context of its participation in the UAE Month of Innovation 2019 under the theme “Innovate For Health”, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) launched its Innovation Strategy 2019-2021 for the healthcare future, In the presence of H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry’s Hospitals Sector, Head of Innovation Committee, Mr. Saqr Al Hemeiri, Chief Innovation Officer, Learning & Development Director in Sharjah. These Month’s innovation activities aim to consolidate the position of UAE as a worldwide hub for innovation and motivate the members of the society, engage them in designing innovations that provide solutions for the challenges, in addition to developing lifestyles in accordance with a future vision.
H.E Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, said: “UAE Month of Innovation is considered the biggest initiatives of innovation in the world and also a sustainable platform that surpasses future boundaries in order to foster the leadership position of UAE in the global competitive fields according to the courses of “National Innovation Strategy”, which has been launched by the country’s leadership. It’s a strategy aiming to p UAE within the most innovative countries around the globe, and within the framework of accomplishing the National Agenda 2021 and its outstanding march towards UAE Centennial 2071.”
A Sustainable International Destination
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said that MOHAP’s strategy stems from the ambitious vision of the wise leadership to strengthen the position of UAE as a leading international model in the proactive confrontation of future challenges. Moreover, this vision aims at making UAE a leading international destination for sustainable future in the smart healthcare, through the renovation of the entire healthcare services , development of research centres and establishment of local and international partnerships, so as to be well-prepared for facing future diseases, through technology integration into diagnostic and therapeutic methods by making use of analytical data and enhance the readiness to prevent diseases and epidemics, in addition to exploring it proactively.
Road Map Towards the Future and Beyond
H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry’s Hospitals Sector, Head of Innovation Committee, said that UAE Month of Innovation represents an annual national occasion to celebrate the innovators and innovative accomplishments, with a view to shaping the road towards the future and beyond as well as providing healthcare services system with international standards in order to reinforce the position of UAE as a worldwide hub for innovation in the health sector.
Dr. Al Serkal further elaborated: “This month, also, will deliver Artificial Intelligence-based smart medical solutions, stimulate the virtual reality, provide predictive analysis and remote healthcare services.”
He added: “MOHAP’s innovation strategy 2019 – 2021 includes 4 key pillars: healthcare leadership, R&D, healthy society and leading operations and services. Moreover, the strategy relies on 5 elements including human capital to develop the possibilities of innovation and research, creating a platform for information exchange, facilitating sources of innovation funding in health sector, making the best use of advanced technology updates and building partnerships to enhance innovation and research.”
H.E. Awad Al Ketbi, Assistant Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention's Support Services Sector, emphasized MOHAP’s keenness on organizing innovation month activities in line with the directives of the country’s leadership and as pursuant to the National Innovation Strategy for the consolidation of innovation culture in the institutional work environment and improvement of work systems as per the international standards, so as to achieve the leadership in the performance and innovation for the happiness of society.
Innovation Month Agenda
In the same context, Mr. Saqr Al Hemeiri, Chief Innovation Officer, Learning & Development Director in Sharjah, said: “The activities include launching a number of innovative projects, such as Innovation Strategy, Khorfakkan Dentistry Specialized Centre, besides three conferences on innovation in Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), nursing and innovation health accelerators.”
Mr. Al Hemeiri added that the activities will also feature Hackathon Contest for Programmers, interactive lectures and workshops on researches and future of medical professions, in addition to innovation exhibition in both healthcare and medical education fields.
Medical Districts’ Activities
The medial districts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention witnessed several activities on the occasion of UAE Month of Innovation. In this context, Sharjah Medical District showcase the smart operation theatre, a smart communication device for neurologic patients, medical updates in wounds remedy, innovative cardiac techniques, and surgical exploration instrument. Also, the employees showcase their health innovations as part of the activities.
While Ras Al Khaimah District will organize a programme on the innovation in the antibiotic field, an exhibition for innovation and a training course on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The district will also open a pain clinic and hold brainstorming sessions on innovation.
In the same context, Dubai Medical District organize lots of activities including innovative bikes and “innovation game”. The activities also include a brainstorming workshop at Zabeel Park, in addition to showcasing success stories on social media platforms.
In turn, Ajman Medical District organize Health & Innovation Exhibition and hold a workshop for its staff under the theme “Innovate for Health” and another workshop on the robot industry.