Abu Dhabi's AI Health Revolution

Abu Dhabi Uses AI in Fight Against Diabetes and Cancer

The Department of Health (DoH) of Abu Dhabi has taken a pioneering step in the realm of healthcare digitalization in the United Arab Emirates by implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the quality of life of its residents and increase life expectancy. The new AI-based patient risk profile is aimed at predicting the likelihood of serious diseases such as diabetes and various cancers before any symptoms even appear.

Early Intervention Based on Lifetime Health Data

The core of this new system is that artificial intelligence analyzes a patient's entire health history, starting from birth. This so-called 'patient risk profile' is now available in every hospital and clinic in Abu Dhabi, allowing doctors to take preventive measures before diseases develop.

The system does not rely on just a few data points but evaluates the likelihood of developing 14 different diseases, including diabetes and several types of cancer. AI can recognize subtle patterns in a patient's medical history that might never be observed by the human eye.

AI as a Support, Not a Replacement

The DoH emphasizes that artificial intelligence does not replace doctors but aids their work. The final decision always rests with the doctor—the system merely provides guidance by highlighting which previous lab results or exams might indicate increased risk. This helps doctors understand why AI might suggest a certain risk level and incorporate this into a personalized treatment plan.

This form of 'explainable AI' plays a crucial role in gaining the trust of medical professionals who use the technology. The system transparently communicates the basis for its risk assessment and never automatically decides on treatments.

Universal System Participation—Complete Coverage in Abu Dhabi

The healthcare authority achieved its goal of full integration: all hospitals and clinics in Abu Dhabi are connected to the 'physician portal' system, enabling doctors to access a patient's complete medical data set from anywhere. This system is built upon the Malaffi health information exchange platform, ensuring that even during the first visit, comprehensive data is available for the doctor.

This type of digitalization allows patients to not start from scratch at a new clinic, as their previous exams, treatments, and risk profiles are already accessible to their doctor.

Two AI-Based Language Models Assist the Process

Abu Dhabi's AI ecosystem is capable of more than analyzing health risks: it operates with two large language models (LLM) that support real-time medical decision-making.

One of these models is the 'Intelligent Medical Assistant,' which helps doctors quickly retrieve relevant data related to the current patient. For example, if a specialist asks when the patient last had a blood test or if any abnormalities occurred, the system immediately displays the most recent and critical information.

The other language model is accessible through the Sahatna mobile app, where residents can ask questions about their health in natural language. This is particularly useful for those who want to better understand their test results or navigate the healthcare system.

Healthcare Strategy Built on Three Pillars

The entire development is part of Abu Dhabi's long-term healthcare strategy, which rests on three main pillars: longevity, world-class care, and system resilience. The aim is not only to provide residents access to the most advanced healthcare but also to ensure the system remains sustainable and flexible to future challenges.

The application of artificial intelligence enables not only early disease detection but significantly contributes to the efficiency of the healthcare system as well. Doctors save time, diagnoses are faster and more accurate, and patients can feel secure knowing they receive an unprecedented level of care, even during a single visit.

The Future Has Already Begun

Abu Dhabi's example shows that artificial intelligence is not a technology of the distant future but part of the present. The implementation of population-wide patient risk models, real-time medical decision support, and AI assistants for the public indicates that the emirate is not just keeping up with global leaders but is itself playing a leading role in healthcare innovation.

Such developments bring Abu Dhabi—and indirectly the entire UAE—closer to the goal of having one of the world's healthiest, safest, and most foresighted healthcare systems, improving not only local lives but also setting an example for other countries on how technological innovation can drive genuine social change.

(Source: Ministry of Health Release.)