DUBAI, UAE, February 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The New agreement aims to support DHA's development of a comprehensive, integrated health system and achieve goals of Dubai Health Strategy 2021 

Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, have agreed to collaborate on the DHA's strategic goals for developing a comprehensive and integrated health service system and improving the health sector operations and information systems.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA, and Jacqueline Duvoisin, Regional Director for Clinical Solutions MEA Turkey, Iran & Central Asia, Elsevier, signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Commenting on the MoU, Al Qatami said DHA's developmental drive depends on constantly updating its information and data-supporting systems to ensure that the best tools and information are available for decision-making. He added that utilizing the best technology and state of the art systems helps the authority achieve its healthcare goals that are in line with Dubai's developmental drive, be it in its medical affairs, services technology or state-of-the-art equipment.

The MoU's objective is to enhance cooperation between both parties through various evidence-based projects to support DHA's organizational transformation and innovation goals of the Dubai Health Strategy 2021.

"We have been collaborating with DHA since 2010, and we are pleased to build upon our long-standing relationship with DHA to support its effort to achieve its five-year plan and beyond," Duvoisin said. "This agreement demonstrates that Elsevier, the largest medical and scientific content provider globally, leads the way in the region's evidenced-based solutions that improve patient care, decrease variation of care, and reduce of hospital costs."

Key projects that DHA and Elsevier will embark on together include establishing Dubai as a center of scientific research and scientific publications in the medical and health fields based on the procedures and systems at DHA. Supporting the goal of innovation through Elsevier's evidence-based content solutions: integrated decision support related to the unified Electronic Medical Record system; patient engagement systems aimed at raising patients' awareness, safety and satisfaction; integrated clinical decision support through patient-specific pathways; and telemedicine and patient self-care advice and triage services.

The MoU also aims to support DHA in conducting research, identifying risks and building internal competencies in research and quality, as well as building continuing medical education through various solutions.

About Dubai Health Authority 

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

About Elsevier 

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of information solutions that enhance the performance of science, health, and technology professionals, empowering them to make better decisions, deliver better care, and sometimes make groundbreaking discoveries that advance the boundaries of knowledge and human progress. Elsevier provides web-based, digital solutions - among them ScienceDirect, Scopus, Research Intelligence and ClinicalKey - and publishes over 2,500 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and more than 35,000 book titles, including a number of iconic reference works. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. www.elsevier.com

Media contact
Christopher Capot
Director, Corporate Relations, Elsevier
+1-917-704-5174
c.capot@elsevier.com

SOURCE Elsevier