Think about the last time you visited a new clinic. Did they ask you to repeat your entire medical history? Did you bring previous test results or start over with new lab work? Now, imagine a better experience—one where every doctor you visit already has your up-to-date health records, from allergies and chronic conditions to imaging and prescriptions. That’s the power of Health Information Exchange (HIE) in the UAE.
With NABIDH in Dubai, Malaffi in Abu Dhabi, and Riayati serving the northern emirates, the UAE has built a connected healthcare ecosystem. These platforms don’t just store data—they empower healthcare professionals and protect patients like you by enabling faster, safer, and more personalized care.
Let’s explore how these systems work and why they matter to everyone in the healthcare journey.
What is Health Information Exchange (HIE)?
Health Information Exchange (HIE) lets healthcare providers share patient information electronically in real time. Instead of fragmented records across clinics and hospitals, HIE creates a connected network where every authorized provider sees the full medical picture.
This system helps your doctor make better decisions, reduces repeated procedures, and keeps your care consistent—even if you switch clinics or move between emirates.
Why the UAE Needed Health Information Exchange
Healthcare in the UAE moves fast. People often seek treatment across different emirates or switch between public and private providers. Without a unified system, your health data gets scattered. Providers repeat tests. Patients explain their medical history again and again.
The UAE tackled this problem by launching three powerful platforms—NABIDH, Malaffi, and Riayati. These HIE systems bring structure and visibility to your health data, making care faster, safer, and more accurate across the country.
NABIDH: Health Information Exchange in Dubai
NABIDH (National Backbone for Integrated Dubai Health), developed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), links all licensed healthcare facilities in Dubai under one digital roof.
What NABIDH Does:
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Gives your doctor instant access to your medical records
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Uses clinical alerts to prevent medication errors and misdiagnosis
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Ensures all providers meet DHA’s compliance standards
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Supports real-time updates across hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies
If you receive care anywhere in Dubai, NABIDH makes sure your health data stays up to date and easy to access for the right people.
Malaffi: Uniting Abu Dhabi’s Medical Records
Abu Dhabi took a big step forward with Malaffi, its official Health Information Exchange platform built by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi G42 Healthcare. Malaffi means “my file” in Arabic—and that’s exactly what it delivers.
Why Malaffi Works:
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Covers over 90% of Abu Dhabi’s population
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Shares lab results, discharge summaries, prescriptions, and imaging across facilities
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Supports disease surveillance and public health initiatives
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Reduces delays by giving clinicians everything they need in one view
Doctors in Abu Dhabi don’t need to dig through paperwork or ask for repeat scans—Malaffi brings your history straight to their screen.
Riayati: Building a Nationwide Health Network
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) built Riayati to connect healthcare providers across the northern emirates—Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Riayati doesn’t stop there. It also acts as the national HIE platform, linking with NABIDH and Malaffi to support continuity of care across the UAE.
What Riayati Offers:
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Nationwide patient data sharing across regions
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Unified health records accessible to public and private providers
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An prescription system that tracks all medications
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Standardized EMR integration for full interoperability
Whether you’re in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah, Riayati ensures your data follows you wherever you go.
Collaboration Across NABIDH, Malaffi, and Riayati
These platforms don’t work in silos. They’re built to communicate with each other using interoperable standards and secure APIs.
Let’s say you live in Dubai but fall ill while visiting Abu Dhabi. The hospital in Abu Dhabi can still access your NABIDH records through cross-platform data sharing. This seamless experience ensures doctors have the information they need, when they need it—without making you start from scratch.
The UAE’s health authorities actively collaborate to keep this integration smooth and secure, making the patient experience more consistent across all emirates.
How Health Information Exchange Benefits You as a Patient
You might not see the back-end technology—but you feel the impact every time you get care.
Key Benefits:
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No more repeating your history: Providers already have the details.
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Faster care: Doctors don’t wait for faxes or files.
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Safer treatment: Systems alert providers about allergies or drug interactions.
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Less duplication: You avoid unnecessary lab tests and imaging.
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Better coordination: Specialists and general practitioners stay aligned.
Your health journey becomes smoother, more efficient, and less frustrating.
How Healthcare Providers Use HIE
Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists benefit just as much as patients.
They Use Health Information Exchange To:
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Review a patient’s full medical history instantly
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Access lab results, medications, and discharge notes
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Avoid dangerous drug interactions using built-in alerts
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Save time on administrative tasks
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Collaborate better across departments and facilities
When providers use these tools effectively, they improve outcomes and boost efficiency across the board.
How the UAE Keeps Your Data Secure
Health data is sensitive. That’s why UAE’s HIE systems follow strict privacy laws and cybersecurity protocols.
Security Measures Include:
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Encrypted communication between systems
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Role-based access so only authorized staff see your data
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Audit logs to track every access point
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Full compliance with Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 on health data protection
You remain in control of your information. And healthcare entities must follow data protection policies to stay licensed.
What the Future Holds for Health Informaiton Exchange in the UAE
The UAE continues to lead the region in healthcare innovation. The next phase of HIE will likely include:
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AI-powered analytics to predict health risks before symptoms start
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Patient-controlled portals so you can view and manage your records
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Telehealth integration, making remote consultations even more powerful
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Global data exchange, especially for medical tourists and international second opinions
The foundation is already in place. As these systems evolve, your care will only get more personalized, more predictive, and more proactive.
The UAE didn’t just build digital platforms—it created an intelligent, connected, and patient-focused healthcare network. With NABIDH, Malaffi, and Riayati, your health data moves with you, empowers your providers, and keeps your care consistent across all emirates.
Whether you’re a patient navigating chronic care or a doctor coordinating treatment plans, these HIE systems change everything. They eliminate silos, speed up decision-making, and prioritize your safety and privacy.
As the country pushes forward with AI, national integration, and patient empowerment, now’s the time to embrace the future of healthcare—and it starts with understanding how NABIDH, Malaffi, and Riayati work for you.
FAQs
1. What does NABIDH do in Dubai?
NABIDH connects public and private healthcare providers in Dubai, allowing them to securely share patient health records in real time.
2. How does Malaffi help in Abu Dhabi?
Malaffi creates a centralized medical file for every patient in Abu Dhabi, helping doctors access test results, imaging, and treatment history instantly.
3. Can providers in different emirates share patient data?
Yes. NABIDH, Malaffi, and Riayati use secure integrations to share data across emirates, supporting uninterrupted care.
4. Is patient consent required to share data?
Yes. Providers must follow UAE laws, which include getting consent and safeguarding patient privacy.
5. What role does Riayati play in national healthcare?
Riayati connects healthcare providers across the northern emirates and also links to NABIDH and Malaffi, making it the UAE’s nationwide health data backbone.