Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched an information security project, which comes in line with the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy.

The strategy was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with an aim to strengthen Dubai’s position as a world leader in innovation, safety and security.

The DHA’s board identified several phases of implementation for the information security project, which include information gathering, security analysis, policies and procedures, risk assessment, plan development, application, business continuity, workshops and outreach and the internal audit.

The DHA has established a senior monitoring and evaluation committee that will oversee the implementation of information system management and controls, promote a culture of information security and disseminate information to DHA staff. The committee will also conduct periodic review of the system, follow-up of all internal and external audits, and review the risk assessment methodology periodically.

Humaid Mohammad Al Qatami, director-general of the DHA, said that in line with the vision of the strategy launched by Shaikh Mohammad, DHA will ensure implementation of the project that is vital to further protect health information in a digital environment.

Al Qatami said that DHA has adopted a training programme for the Information Security project. So far, 5,000 staff members have been trained and by the end of the year 10,000 staff members will be trained in data achieving and information protection and security protocols.

The DHA said it is committed to the implementation of the Dubai Government’s Information Security Regulation (ISR) as per Resolution No 13 of 2012, passed by the Dubai Executive Council.

The DHA added that it is the world’s first government health organisation to receive Uptime Institute (UTI) Tier III Data Centre design certification.

DHA recently launched the first phase of its Salama project, which is DHA-wide project that aims to provide patients and doctors access to medical records through a patient portal and ensure that the electronic patient medical record is available across the DHA health facilities.

After all phases of the Salama project will be completed, the DHA will also work on implementing the NABIDH (pulse) project. NABIDH stands for Network and Analysis Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health. The project will enable the creation of a unified medical record for each individual in Dubai by connecting the information contained in all public and private health care facilities. NABIDH’s community view of patient’s health record will lead to improved quality and patient safety, reduced cost and evidence-based care.