Dr Saleh Fares Al Ali, Consultant of Emergency Medicine, EMS and Disaster
Medicine at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, has underscored the UAE’s expertise in managing disaster situations A robust governance framework, well-defined standards and policies critical to an effective response system
AI, telehealth, digital transformation and telematics are increasingly playing a
critical role in managing disaster situations, according to Dr Al Ali
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A leading expert in health crisis and disaster management has underscored the importance of pre-hospital care, hospital services, and enabling services, including laboratories and training programs in disaster management, as we move from classical operations to technology-driven disaster medicine.
Speaking at the Public Health Conference on the emerging trends in health crisis and
disaster, Dr Saleh Fares Al Ali, Consultant of Emergency Medicine, EMS and Disaster
Medicine at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, revealed disaster management
involves more than just having an ambulance on standby at the emergency department.
“It encompasses a wide range of services and requires a comprehensive approach to
governance. This includes pre-hospital care, hospital services, and enabling services,
including laboratories, training programs, and even poison centres. To effectively
manage disasters, we must consider all of these elements as part of a larger system,”
said Dr Al Ali.
“An effective response system requires a robust governance framework, well-defined
standards, and policies. Additionally, you need an efficient operation centre to connect
all the dots. It’s crucial to cover all domains, from pre-hospital to hospital to enabling
services, to create a well-orchestrated system,” he added.
One of the key trends discussed by Dr Al Ali was technology and its critical role in
managing disasters, where he underscored the importance of artificial intelligence (AI),
telehealth, digital transformation and telematics and outlining how AI enhances medical
diagnosis and triage by swiftly and accurately analysing patient data, predicting outcomes, and offering treatment recommendations; additionally, AI-driven chatbots
provide real-time medical guidance to first responders.
Telehealth technologies help enhance access to medical expertise, expedite remote
consultations between prehospital providers and physicians, and optimise resource
allocation, benefiting patients in rural or underserved areas by saving critical time during
emergencies.
The burgeoning industry of advanced data insights utilises digital twins, enabling virtual
replicas of entities such as emergency departments or ambulance systems, fostering
crisis management, and employing predictive analytics to mobilise resources
proactively, exemplified by anticipating ambulance needs at events such as Arab Health
due to the volume of people gathering in one area.
Finally, telematics systems in ambulances, utilising 5G connectivity, offer real-time
tracking for location, speed, and status, enhancing response times and route optimisation. Dr Al Ali highlighted a prototype collaboration between the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi and Etisalat whereby ultrasound images to hospitals will be transferred through this technology.
Elsewhere on the agenda at Arab Health, Dubai Health, the first integrated academic
health system in Dubai presented a comprehensive overview of Dubai’s first integrated academic health system model.
H.E. Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, said: “Through a unified commitment to
patient-centred care, we are not just shaping the present healthcare landscape, but also
laying the foundation for a transformative future anchored in our primary value of
“Patient First.’ This commitment extends beyond the present, as we strive to create a
lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of our community for generations to come.”
Arab Health 2024 continues until tomorrow, Thursday, 1 February 2024, at the Dubai
World Trade Centre, when the winners of the Innov8 startup competition will be
revealed. The competition included 24 health-tech startups pitching unique concepts
and innovations. The winners of the Cre8 competition will also be revealed. The
competition has been designed to foster creativity and innovation among participating
students in the UAE. Contestants were required to conceptualise and innovate a
solution for an actual healthcare problem within an imaginary AED 100,000 budget.
For more information or to register for the event, please visit
http://www.arabhealthonline.com.
