Ministry of Health and Prevention to showcase interactive health services using artificial intelligence

UAE, January 31, 2017 - The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has announced the launch of a new set of innovative health services featuring futuristic technology solutions – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) during its participation at Arab Health 2017, which is currently being held until February 2, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Center. 

The technologies are part of ongoing expansions for its innovative health services, including the Health Information Systems, which is focused on harnessing technology and digital innovation for the healthcare sector and providing sustainable and practical universal healthcare solutions that can assist healthcare staff in better patient care and optimize clinical operations, as well as improve health care mobility.

His Excellency Awad Al Ketbi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Support Services Sector, Ministry of Health and Prevention, said that the smart services are part of the Ministry’s technology program being undertaken in collaboration with high-profile global companies involved in the field of medical technology which aims to provide comprehensive and unique health services. These initiatives are in accordance with the Ministry’s strategy of promoting individual and community health and following government directives on ensuring the happiness of customers and the entire community. 

His Excellency Al Ketbi, has announced the launch of the Smart Mirror which is the first globally to be used by the Ministry during the event. The Smart Mirror allows patients to analyze their body’s temperature, pulse, weight, height, and their body mass index. It also features a weather forecast component that can be utilized by looking through the mirror. The Smart Mirror is an active tool for patients suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, as well as blood pressure problems, as it monitors their weight, height, blood pressure and body temperature.

Al Ketbi also explained that the Chatbot service is driven by basic artificial intelligence software and facilitates ‘smart’ online chats that help reduce healthcare cost as well as improve the flow of health services. The interactive AI facility can assist the Ministry by mimicking human conversations to answer questions. This can also be integrated with other software platforms to allow other communication activities such as sending messages and holding telemedicine conferences via Skype with a physician.

Another smart technology, ‘Kiomatik’, will welcome patients and guests and perform other reception duties via an innovative system, motion tracking, a high-definition camera, and three-dimensional display devices embedded in a robot. It will also provide necessary information about the health facilities, set appointments, and answer basic questions from patients.

The ‘Kiomatik Beacon’ technology also operates as a wireless device with face-recognition capability. The patient is immediately recognized upon arrival at the health facility and informed about his or her schedule which will appear at the reception platform without the assistance of any hospital employee. Kiomatik reduces the need for computers and other announcement systems as medical staff can use the apps installed on smart watches and smartphones to communicate with patients and inform them whenever they need to visit a health facility for examination.

An advanced self-registration service (‘Kiosk’), on the other hand, can recognize patients’ faces using a 17-inch screen that registers them upon arrival at the hospital or medical center. This pioneering technology is still currently under research and development.