Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Emirates Health Services (EHS) has received the Global Patient Safety Award 2026 for an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging project designed to improve diagnostic accuracy, speed and patient safety.
EHS was the sole winner in the National Health Authority category in the inaugural edition of the award, according to a statement.
The award recognised its project, “The Future of Medical Imaging: Detection to Prediction”, which uses artificial intelligence to analyse medical images, help specialists detect medical conditions more efficiently and anticipate potential risks.
The project applies AI across several clinical areas, including the early detection of breast cancer, tuberculosis screening, stroke diagnosis and the proactive diagnosis of osteoporosis.
EHS said the solutions could shorten diagnosis times, improve accuracy and efficiency, support early detection and allow timely clinical intervention.
Dr Abdullah Al Naqbi, Executive Director of Supporting Health Services at EHS, said the award reflected the UAE’s progress in developing healthcare models based on innovation and future-focused technologies.
EHS being the sole global winner in the category demonstrated the maturity of its approach to converting AI from a promising technology into practical solutions that affect healthcare quality and patient safety, he said.
Al Naqbi added that EHS was continuing to develop a more proactive, efficient and sustainable healthcare system in which innovation strengthened the capabilities of healthcare professionals, supported clinical decision-making and contributed to better health outcomes.
EHS received the award during UNIFY 2026, the Joint Commission’s annual conference in Washington, DC. The organisation was represented by Dr Amina Al Jasmi, Director of its Radiology Department, who led its delegation to the ceremony.
Al Jasmi said the project represented a shift in medical imaging from using technology mainly as a diagnostic-support tool to developing an integrated ecosystem that uses AI to analyse images, assist specialists and anticipate risks.
Integrating the technology into clinical workflows allows specialists to access relevant clinical information more quickly and make timely decisions, improving the quality of patient care, she added.
The model was designed for expansion across different clinical fields and healthcare facilities. It combines clinical innovation and artificial intelligence with governance, data protection, workflow development and patient-safety measures.
EHS developed the project in partnership with Unison Capital Investment. The integrated model incorporates AI into medical imaging services to support clinical decisions and improve the quality of diagnostic services.
According to the statement, the partnership demonstrated the role that cooperation between healthcare providers and private companies could play in adopting advanced health technologies and developing diagnostic services.
The Global Patient Safety Award was launched by Joint Commission International to encourage the international exchange of knowledge and expertise and recognise healthcare organisations and authorities that develop innovative and sustainable models for safer and higher-quality care.
The selection committee commended the project’s integrated approach and the regulatory and governance frameworks established by EHS to ensure the systematic and safe use of the technology while protecting patient and medical-imaging data, the statement said.
