The Future of Health Care in Abu Dhabi: AI and Data at the Core
Abu Dhabi is setting a strong example of how artificial intelligence (AI) and data can transform health care. With the genetic profiles of a large portion of its population sequenced, the system can identify high disease risks early and act before symptoms emerge. Mobile apps assist patients in managing their care, and plans are underway to connect these apps with wearable devices, medical records, and direct communication with doctors.
Dimitris Moulavasilis, CEO of M42 — a global health care company based in Abu Dhabi — highlights how AI predicts health conditions and improves outcomes. Better outcomes mean fewer hospitalizations and lower costs for the health system. Using genomics data, population health programs are developed to keep people healthy, while digital technologies organize and streamline health services.
Personalized Treatments and Cost Efficiency
Health care spending varies widely, from 7-8% of GDP in Eastern Europe to about 17% in the United States, and costs are increasing faster than economic growth everywhere. AI-driven care offers a chance to change this trajectory, especially in less wealthy countries that can build more efficient systems from the ground up.
AI enables personalized treatments, allowing patients to receive care tailored to their genetic and health profiles. It can also predict illnesses before they occur, avoiding disease altogether. With people living longer, the focus is shifting to extending the healthy years of life rather than just lifespan.
M42 serves around 15 million patients across 27 countries and has grown its revenue fivefold in seven years. Examples of successful early intervention include a 40-year-old Emirati woman treated promptly for thyroid cancer after a genetic test showed a 100% risk, and an eight-year-old whose vision loss was traced to a gene mutation and treated accordingly.
The health system in Abu Dhabi is fully digitalized, not just by adding technology but by redesigning the system with technology at its core. M42 plays a central role in managing the health information exchange.
Leveraging Genomics and Research
Abu Dhabi’s commitment to high-tech investment and research benefits M42. The Emirati genome program is one of the most extensive globally, with over 800,000 of 1.3 million nationals sequenced. M42 runs this program in partnership with the local Department of Health.
This rich data environment allows M42 to develop new care models and expand globally once outcomes prove effective. They maintain patient privacy by keeping data within a sovereign environment, enabling trusted research collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to develop targeted drugs and other life sciences innovations.
To ensure accuracy and fairness, the genome database recruits diverse participants across different demographics and nationalities. They prioritize protecting individuals' and countries' data privacy rights.
Global Expansion and Focus on the Global South
Beyond Abu Dhabi, M42 operates over 480 facilities in 26 countries with more than 20,000 employees. Growth is expected at 8-10% annually. While not yet in the U.S., M42 is exploring investment opportunities there. Its presence is strong in Europe, Latin America, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf, with strategic partnerships developing in Uzbekistan’s genome program.
Moulavasilis emphasizes the Global South as a key growth area. The recent acquisition of kidney-care provider Diaverum strengthens their position in emerging markets. Discussions with various countries in this region are ongoing.
Addressing Workforce Challenges with AI
The biggest challenge is not technology but the shortage of nurses and physicians worldwide. AI helps healthcare workers focus on what they do best by automating routine, administrative tasks. This improves productivity and makes healthcare jobs more attractive, helping address workforce gaps as populations grow and age.
For healthcare professionals looking to deepen their understanding of AI’s role in health care, exploring targeted courses can provide valuable skills. Resources like Complete AI Training offer specialized programs designed for healthcare workers aiming to integrate AI tools into their practice.
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