United Arab Emirates

In May 2021 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention announced that the UAE was to become a Member of SNOMED International, joining a global effort to develop, maintain, and enable the use of SNOMED CT in health systems around the world.

The UAE is the fourth Middle East country, following Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, to join SNOMED International, further extending the SNOMED CT use, implementation experience and collaboration opportunities for the region. UAE users can register to request a free license for use of SNOMED CT by visiting the country’s National Release Center website. In addition to the many benefits the country can realize through implementing SNOMED CT, its use will also support the UAE in achieving its strategic healthcare objectives and beyond.

In a Healthcare IT News article, Ali Al Ajmi, the UAE’s Director of Digital Health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, indicated that the use of SNOMED CT will improve functionality and coordination between health facilities and contribute to enhancing the exchange of organizational data among the country’s health-related organizations in both the public and private sectors, including insurance companies, healthcare providers and governmental organizations.

In the article, Al Ajmi added: “The electronically stored detailed data in this system would help increase access of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies across the UAE to electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs).”

More information about SNOMED CT in the UAE can be accessed here.