Abu Dhabi, Dec 6th 2009 — The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulative body of the Healthcare Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has launched its new e-notification system for infectious diseases.
The new electronic notification system replace the existing paper based system. The system aims at reducing HAAD’s response time to incoming notifications, mitigating notification errors, getting real time notification and data validation and is a direct communication and feedback tool between physicians and HAAD.
H.E. Engineer Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of HAAD said: “The launch of the new e-notification system is part of HAAD’s ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare systems and is a step towards automating some of our business processes, the system will provide HAAD with real time notifications, improve our preparedness and response and limit the spread of infectious diseases across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.” The Infectious Disease consultants and specialists, Infection Control Officers, and Heads of Laboratories at both public and private hospitals were also present during the ceremony.
The new e-notification system which can be accessed from any healthcare facility, is a must use tool for infectious disease reporting at all healthcare service providers. HAAD will be conducting a series of training workshops for Abu Dhabi physicians on how to use the new system Dr. Oliver Harrison, Director of Public Health and Policy Department said: “The timeliness of disease reporting constitutes a basic measure of optimum functioning of the surveillance system. With the use of modern technological tools, the delays occurring at different levels can be overcome and diseases could be notified in real-time”.
“Such approach allows recognition of emerging infections and evolving epidemics before they scale up extensively and consequently allows for relevant public health measures to be put in place” he added.