Emirates Health Services wins inaugural Global Patient Safety Award for AI-driven medical imaging innovation
EHS recognised at Joint Commission International conference in Washington for transformative project harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient safety across multiple clinical specialties
Emirates Health Services has been awarded the Global Patient Safety Award 2026 in its inaugural edition, receiving recognition in the National Health Authority category at UNIFY™ 2026, the Joint Commission’s annual conference held in Washington, D.C. The distinction underscores the UAE’s prominence in healthcare innovation and reinforces the nation’s commitment to advancing patient safety through technology-driven solutions.
EHS was honoured for its pioneering initiative, ‘The Future of Medical Imaging: Detection to Prediction’, a comprehensive programme deploying artificial intelligence technologies to revolutionise medical imaging services. The project enhances diagnostic accuracy, accelerates detection protocols, and strengthens patient safety outcomes across multiple clinical domains.
Dr. Abdullah Al Naqbi, Executive Director of Supporting Health Services at EHS, emphasised that the award reflects the sophisticated healthcare models the UAE has developed through innovation and forward-thinking technological integration. He noted that EHS’s singular recognition as a global winner in the National Health Authority category demonstrates the maturity of its approach in translating artificial intelligence from theoretical promise into practical, clinically impactful solutions.
The initiative employs AI capabilities across diverse clinical specialties, including early detection of breast cancer, tuberculosis screening, acute stroke diagnosis, and proactive identification of osteoporosis. These applications substantially reduce diagnostic timeframes, enhance precision, and enable timely clinical intervention through early detection.
Dr. Amina Al Jasmi, Director of the Radiology Department at EHS, who led the official delegation to Washington, explained that the project represents a fundamental transformation in medical imaging practice. Rather than viewing technology merely as a diagnostic support instrument, the programme establishes an integrated ecosystem utilising artificial intelligence to analyse medical imagery and empower specialists in more efficient detection and risk anticipation.
The model’s integration into clinical workflows permits healthcare professionals to access clinically significant information with greater speed, enabling prompt, informed decision-making that elevates care quality and reinforces patient safety protocols.
Distinguishing the initiative is its scalability and cross-disciplinary applicability across multiple clinical fields and healthcare facilities. The programme transcends isolated technological implementation, instead adopting an integrated methodology that combines clinical innovation, artificial intelligence governance, data protection frameworks, workflow optimisation, and patient safety considerations. This comprehensive approach enhances the potential for experience-sharing and expanded application across diverse healthcare contexts.
EHS developed the initiative collaboratively with strategic partner Unison Capital Investment, establishing an integrated model that systematically incorporates AI into medical imaging services to support clinical decision-making and elevate diagnostic service quality. The partnership exemplifies the healthcare sector’s valuable collaboration with private-sector enterprises in adopting advanced health technologies.
The selection committee particularly commended the project’s holistic methodology and the robust regulatory frameworks and governance principles EHS has established, ensuring systematic and secure technology application whilst safeguarding patient confidentiality and medical imaging data integrity. This commitment reflects EHS’s dedication to ensuring that expanding artificial intelligence applications prioritise patient safety, service excellence, and data security throughout implementation.
Source: WAM