As part of its ongoing efforts to advance healthcare systems and foster innovation in the sector, the Emirates Health Services (EHS) hosted its second "Innovation Hackathon," attended by H.E. Dr. Yousif Mohamed Al-Serkal, Director General of EHS, alongside a select group of experts and innovators from diverse fields.
Dr. Sara AlShaya, Director of the Data and Statistics Department at EHS, emphasized that the hackathon marks a qualitative milestone in advancing healthcare, transcending traditional competitions to serve as a dynamic platform for empowering talent and cultivating a culture of innovation. She highlighted that the event leveraged high-quality data to transform it into tools supporting clinical decision-making and evidence-based health policies, aligning with the sector’s aspirations and elevating service efficiency.
AlShaya added that the diversity of expertise at the hackathon, spanning technology, healthcare, and design, created an integrative environment for participants to develop scalable, innovative technical solutions. These prioritize enhancing patient experience and supporting the transition to a more resilient healthcare system capable of addressing future challenges.
Held over three days, this year’s edition focused on the critical theme of "Data Literacy, Quality, and Analytics." Specialists collaborated in an interactive setting to devise solutions tackling real-world challenges, enabling smarter, faster, and more sustainable healthcare decisions. This underscored EHS’s commitment to data-driven innovation and building analytical capabilities aligned with knowledge economy goals, ultimately enhancing the sector’s readiness to meet community needs and future ambitions.
The hackathon featured specialized tracks, including exploratory data analysis, data quality enhancement, and data literacy initiatives. Participants addressed operational challenges by developing solutions for proactive, continuously improving healthcare. Notable projects included reducing outpatient wait times, an intelligent appointment system (EHS-SAS) using predictive analytics to minimize no-show rates, and an AI-driven tool to optimize antimicrobial management in ICUs.
In partnership with SAS, EHS equipped participants with training resources and technical support via the "SAS Viya" analytics platform, reinforcing its dedication to fostering an innovative, data-driven healthcare ecosystem. Winning teams were honored at a ceremony celebrating their creativity and commitment to excellence.
Aligned with the UAE’s vision of leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven insights, the initiative supports the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the UAE Centennial 2071 goals, bolstering healthcare resilience and preparedness for future challenges.