The UAE Cabinet yesterday endorsed the initiative to establish a national unified database of patients' medical records in the UAE. The initiative is one of the outcomes of the Cabinet's Government Innovation Lab, chaired last year in Sir Bani Yas by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, during the Ministerial Retreat.

It aims to unify all medical records of patients in the UAE, facilitate movements of patients among healthcare providers, as well as connect public hospitals and clinics. Providing up-to-date medical records is a necessity to improve healthcare services provided in the UAE as it will contribute to ensuring an improved level of healthcare, eliminate duplication and reduce registration times, medication errors and the length of hospital stays. It will be implemented in the coming four years.

Sheikh Mohammed said that "Providing healthcare services in the UAE is a joint work among federal, local governments and private sector. Improving the healthcare services will never stop, as the health of our citizens is our utmost priority."

He added, "Building a high-quality healthcare system and providing the best services to patients require streamlining efforts in this sector. Today, we announce a unified national medical record to facilitate the healthcare services and provide up-to-date medical data. We want healthcare services to reach patients no matter where they are in the country, to realise high quality standard of living to our people and ensure their health requirements are met."

The UAE Vice President made the remarks yesterday while chairing the Cabinet session at the Presidential Palace. The meeting was attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Pertaining to healthcare sectors, the Cabinet also approved implementing an initiative on mobile healthcare services programme to provide services in remote areas, especially for senior citizens. The mobile healthcare services will focus on home-care services and outpatient specialty clinics.

The initiative reflects the UAE government's strategy to improve services' quality and accessibility to all members of the community, especially the healthcare services. The mobile healthcare is an indispensable component of the services to ensure all community benefits from the system, especially those living in the remote areas.

The Cabinet also discussed other topics on the agenda, and endorsed amending of the Cabinet Decree on Government Financial Policy Coordination Council. The amendment will include adding more items to the Decree no 26 of the Year 2011 on the Council that will streamline the scope of work of the council to boost competiveness in various sectors in the country.

The Government Financial Policy Coordination Council aims to achieve financial balance between federal and local governments that will result in financial regulation and eventually achieve economic balance. Meanwhile, the Cabinet also reviewed recommendations of the Financial and Economic Committee on amendments to the 2015 federal budget.

On legislative matters, the Cabinet endorsed a federal law on establishing the Emirates Diplomatic Academy (EDA). EDA aims to build capabilities that support the objectives of the UAE's foreign policy by delivering high impact training and disseminating research and thought leadership that furthers the understanding of diplomacy and international relations.

On organisational matters, the Cabinet approved the amendment of organisational structure of the National Media Council (NMC) and its Board in line with government efforts to improve government work. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State will chair the new Board and the members will representatives be from the federal and local authorities concerned.

The amendment aims to streamline the work of the NMC to boost the international reputation of the UAE, raise awareness about its achievements in various sectors such as playing a global role in diplomacy, humanitarian and development aid, as well as hosting international organisations in the country.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet reviewed a recommendation submitted by the Federal National Council related to policy of Ministry of Social Affairs on cooperatives.

On the International level, the Cabinet endorsed the EU-UAE visa waiver agreement, whereby Emiratis would no longer require a visa for short stays in the Schengen countries. In addition, the Cabinet approved the UAE and Kuwait cooperation agreement in aviation services; and another agreement between the UAE and the Comoros in economic and commercial fields.
Source: WAM