Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to utilize AI in the sector of medical care, to enhance clinical expertise and amplify the patient experience.

The MoU was signed by SEHA’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gareth Goodier, and the President of MBZUAI, Professor Dr. Eric Xing. To enable collaborative research projects, the MoU forms a platform for SEHA’s clinicians and MBZUAI faculty to explore and introduce AI-driven solutions that can provide solutions to healthcare challenges and improve patient-led services.

Additionally, SEHA and MBZUAI have collaborated on several research projects. One of the key focus areas would be to use AI-driven solutions to quantify Covid-19 infection by measuring infection scores on different lung lobes. This will allow us to determine infection severity accurately.

The teams also aim to investigate the long-term impact of the virus on people, especially those with pre-existing health conditions like heart, liver, or kidney diseases. This research will also develop federated learning AI solutions to confirm the data privacy of patient records.

Dr. Goodier said, “The integration of technology in the administrative and medical elements of healthcare is paving the way for a stronger healthcare ecosystem, introducing opportunities for streamlined processes, transformative research, elevated patient experience, and ultimately, a more cost-effective industry.”

“The potential for AI in healthcare is vast, and by partnering with MBZUAI, we are committed to exploring its limitless possibilities in medical research, early detection and diagnosis, decision making, and treatment, as we strive towards fostering the foundations of a robust healthcare sector that meets the UAE’s community’s every need with world-class, unparalleled expertise,” continued Dr. Goodier.

The collaboration between SEHA and MBZUAI will also introduce collaboration in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment methods for acute kidney injury, coronary artery disease, fetal health, and AI-driven point of care ultrasound for breast cancer, lung infection, and kidney cysts.

Professor Dr. Xing said, “AI is one of the most transformative tools available to us today. It has already driven innovation and breakthroughs within the medical field and has recently played a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19, as well as in the development of vaccines. By working alongside SEHA’s clinicians and leveraging their world-class expertise, MBZUAI intends to use its technology and talent resources to explore the full potential of AI’s role in the evolution of healthcare throughout the UAE, contributing towards a healthier, more sustainable future for the country and its people.”

Dr. Mohammad Yaqub, an Assistant Professor in MBZUAI’s Computer Vision department, who will lead the collaboration on behalf of the University, said, “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, AI has contributed towards the development of innovative solutions that are reshaping the relationship between healthcare and technology. Combining the medical, research, and technological expertise of MBZUAI and SEHA will enable us to enhance healthcare in the UAE.”

WAM