Imagine walking into any clinic in Abu Dhabi and having your complete medical history—labs, meds, imaging, allergies—instantly available. No paperwork, no delay. That’s the reality being built by Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), the public–private arm behind Malaffi, the region’s flagship Health Information Exchange (HIE). By unlocking clinical data across every facility, ADHDS is powering smarter, safer, and more efficient healthcare—ushering in a new era for patient care.
In this article, you’ll discover how ADHDS operates, what makes Malaffi globally advanced, how data from all corners of the emirate fuels better outcomes, and how security and national interoperability keep it trusted and unified.
What Is Abu Dhabi Health Data Services?
Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS) is a public–private company, formed in partnership with the Department of Health (DoH) and operated by M42 Digital Health Solutions. Its mission: run the Malaffi platform, connect every healthcare provider, and transform raw data into actionable insights.
Since going live in 2019, ADHDS has onboarded over 3,000 facilities, 62,000+ users, and now houses 2 billion unique clinical records across nearly 8 million patient profiles.
Building and Scaling Malaffi: A Technical Overview
ADHDS engineered Malaffi for performance and scale:
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A hybrid cloud platform processes live exchange
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FHIR/HL7 standards facilitate structured data exchange
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The Master Patient Index ensures accurate record matching
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High-volume events—labs, imaging, prescriptions—flow through in real time
In just five years, it achieved full hospital connectivity and 99.9% episode coverage—a global benchmark.
Clinical Impact: Real‑Time Data at Work
Malaffi ensures that every clinical interaction—from hospital visits to lab tests to pharmacy dispensing—is reflected instantly in your electronic file. Providers can access your full longitudinal record via EMR portals or the dedicated provider dashboard.
This unified view helps avoid duplicate tests, emergency delays, and prescription errors. During the pandemic, Malaffi linked vaccination and PCR records to streamline public health response.
Advanced Abu Dhabi Health Data Services: Analytics, Imaging, Risk Scoring
ADHDS has layered advanced capabilities on Malaffi:
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Radiology Image Exchange (in partnership with Philips) now shares 85% of annual scans across 50+ sites, reducing repeat imaging and radiation exposure.
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Patient Risk Profiles powered by AI flag individuals at risk for chronic conditions.
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Clinical dashboards and population analytics drive policy and resource allocation .
Governance, Partnerships & Innovation
ADHDS champions innovation through collaboration:
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Co-founder with DoH MOU and joint projects—including a blockchain pilot with MSD GCC at Arab Health 2024.
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Recognized with interoperability awards from Elsevier/Zimam and HIMSS .
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Created Cortex&, a consulting arm, and an AI/Genomics innovation hub with partners like SRI International and AstraZeneca.
Abu Dhabi Health Data Services: Security & Privacy by Design
Protecting health data is non-negotiable:
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ISO 27001 and EHNAC HIEAP certifications cement technical best practices.
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Encryption, audit trails, and role-based access ensure compliance with ADHICS and national laws .
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Patient portals allow individuals to view and engage with their records—building trust and transparency .
National and UAE-wide Interoperability
ADHDS ensures Malaffi isn’t siloed:
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Fully integrated with Riayati, the national health record platform, and Dubai’s NABIDH.
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Provider access to Northern Emirates data bolsters cross-emirate continuity.
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Riayati now stores 2.7 billion records across 11.6 million patients from 3,850 facilities.
Scaling Challenges & Continuous Improvement
Rolling out a national health exchange involves:
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Legacy system integration, tackled through API adapters
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Data standardization, maintaining LOINC/SNOMED alignment
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Adoption hurdles, met via training and stakeholder engagement
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Privacy concerns, addressed with visibility and opt-in mechanisms
ADHDS uses structured roadmaps and feedback loops to evolve and improve.
Genomics, AI & Predictive Care
ADHDS is accelerating transformation:
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Genome analytics partnerships with Synesis Health to link phenotype data.
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AI innovation hub for predictive tools and precision medicine with SRI and AstraZeneca.
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Blockchain R&D to secure consent, trials and traceability with MSD & Pharma Ledger.
These initiatives prepare Abu Dhabi to lead global data-driven healthcare.
Abu Dhabi Health Data Services has built more than a database—it’s forged an intelligent platform that transforms how care is delivered. By blending real-time interoperability, advanced analytics, robust security, and collaboration, ADHDS is delivering better, safer, and smarter healthcare to every resident. As Malaffi connects the emirate—and the nation—its innovations are charting a course toward fully personalized, predictive medicine.
For you, this means faster diagnoses, safer treatment, fewer redundant tests, and a system that learns and adapts around your needs. And for Abu Dhabi, it signals its readiness to lead the world in next-generation health technologies.
FAQs
1. What is Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS)?
ADHDS, part of M42, operates Malaffi under a PPP with Department of Health–Abu Dhabi, unifying clinical data across all providers.
2. How many records does Malaffi hold?
It hosts over 2 billion unique clinical records covering nearly 8 million patients from ~3,000 facilities.
3. Is my data secure?
Yes. Malaffi is ISO 27001 & EHNAC accredited, encrypted end-to-end, access-controlled, and complies with ADHICS and UAE privacy laws.
4. How does Malaffi support cross-emirate care?
It integrates with the nationwide Riayati system and Dubai’s NABIDH, giving providers seamless access to records across emirates .
5. What does the future hold for Abu Dhabi Health Data Services?
Expect genome-driven insights, AI-powered risk prediction, blockchain trials, and wearable data integration—fueling precision and proactive care.