In a move to strengthen international collaboration, the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs has announced the signing of strategic partnerships with the United Arab Emirates to exchange expertise and develop innovative solutions in the digital health sector. This partnership aims to address future challenges and create added value in the UAE’s healthcare system, leveraging Estonia’s leadership in digital health to improve the quality and efficiency of medical services in the UAE.
Janika Merilo, Head of the Digital Health and Care Department at the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “We are pleased to announce this strategic partnership with the UAE, which represents a global model for digital transformation. We are committed to sharing our expertise in digital health to support the UAE’s efforts in developing a sustainable healthcare system for the future.”
Merilo emphasized that Estonia’s experience in digital transformation has shown how technologies like e-prescriptions and blockchain can revolutionize healthcare delivery. She hopes the partnership will serve as a global example of how innovative technologies can enhance healthcare systems.
Since adopting a comprehensive digital health system in 2008, Estonia has become a world leader in this field, managing over 40 million electronic health records. The system facilitates more than 2.3 million monthly interactions between doctors and patients, with 99% of prescriptions issued electronically. This digital approach has saved Estonia an estimated 2% of its annual GDP by reducing paperwork and enhancing efficiency.
The UAE’s digital health sector is currently experiencing rapid growth, with a significant increase in the number of prescriptions issued annually. This partnership is designed to help the UAE adopt advanced digital systems, including e-prescriptions, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology, to improve services and ensure the security and confidentiality of health data.
Estonia’s use of blockchain technology to protect health data from cyber threats aligns with the UAE’s emphasis on improving cybersecurity in healthcare systems. This collaboration aims to build a safer and more sustainable health system in the UAE, benefiting the Emirati community by offering innovative solutions that combine technical efficiency with operational flexibility.
The partnership is expected to deliver significant economic and developmental benefits, potentially leading to cost savings similar to Estonia’s experience. Enhancing security through blockchain will foster trust in the healthcare system, and ongoing innovations will contribute to building a sustainable, advanced healthcare model for the UAE.
