Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 17, 2019: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launched today the Doctor for Every Citizen initiative to achieve Article Five of the Fifty-Year Charter, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

This initiative will further empower DHA’s drive towards the use of latest digital technology to better patient care, enhance efficiencies in the health sector and better support medical professionals as well as provide patients with added convenience and comfort. 

HE Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority and HE Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai launched the initiative. Several senior officials including HE Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development, HE Khalifa Bin Drai, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, Dr Mohaymen Abdelghany, CEO of Al Zahra Hospital and Dr Sara Alom, Chief Strategy Officer at Kings College Hospital in Dubai attended the event.
The 24/7 telehealth consultation programme is currently available for UAE nationals. For patients registered with the DHA, their complete electronic medical record will be available to the doctor at the time of consultation. 

The telehealth consultation is presently available for the family medicine specialty. In the first phase, it will include consultation for diabetes, allergies, hypertension and dermatological issues as these are the most common health concerns. In the future, services that are more specialized will be added.

To book a consultation, the patient can download the DHA app or the patient can call the DHA toll free number 800 342 and book an appointment. The doctor and patient have an option of video calling or the patient can opt for a voice call only.

The telehealth consultation includes initial diagnosis, the patient can be referred to specialized centres and post the consultation, doctors can provide an e-prescription for certain conditions; they can even request for lab tests which will be registered online through the electronic patient medical record system for DHA patients for added convenience. The telehealth consultation does not include any emergency care.

Al Qutami said that this initiative is one of the DHA’s strategic goals as directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

He said that the Authority has mobilized all its efforts and capabilities to achieve an integrated health system and through telemedicine, the Authority will provide immediate consultations around the clock, in accordance with the highest standards.  

Al Qutami said that the DHA has recently signed a number of MoUs with key private health sector entities in the UAE that were keen on taking part in this initiative. 

Al Qutami said that the Doctor for Every Citizen initiative has made a notable impact and a major shift in the concept of integrated healthcare. “DHA strives towards the provision of a healthier future for its community members, in line with the directives of our leaders and aspirations of our beloved city, Dubai. The Doctor for Every Citizen initiative, which is derived from the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid aims to build a world-class health model and improve quality of life. It is our new beginning to achieve “2020: Towards the next 50”, which was announced by His Highness.” 

Al Qutami thanked all those who have contributed to the success of this initiative. He thanked H.E. Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai and all members of the council for their support. 

He also thanked DHA’s strategic partners and the DHA teams working on the project for their effort and dedication in making the Doctor for Every Citizen initiative a reality. 

Dr Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of Health Regulation Sector and Team Leader of the Doctor for Every Citizen initiative said the initiative further enhances DHA’s goals to strive towards the use of digital technology in healthcare to empower both health professionals and patients.  He said the initiative also reflects the deep commitment towards collaboration between the public and private health sector in the Emirate with a common goal of striving towards excellence in care and enhancing quality of life and happiness. 

At the end of the launch ceremony, Al Qutami felicitated strategic partners including Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, which is part of Aster DM healthcare; King's College Hospital in Dubai and Al Zahra Hospital.