The doctor is online: UAE digital hospital ready for download by August

Seeing a doctor in front of a smartphone screen has swiftly become part of the world's new normal. In the UAE, telehealth is officially taking root - with the region's first digital hospital ready for download by next month.

Mulk E-Hospital of Dubai-based Mulk Healthcare is not going to have those white walls and hundreds of beds - but it will have some 2,000 doctors on board. And it can assure you that if you need to see a doctor in the middle of the night, you'll find one just by swiping on your screen.

This e-hospital is an app that can be downloaded from the first week of August. Services will be launched by the middle of the month.

"So far, we have 300 doctors registered with us from the UAE and 1,700 abroad. It is a ticking clock. By the time of the launch date, we will have most of the top healthcare providers from the UAE on board," Dr Shafi Ul Mulk, president of Mulk Healthcare, said during a two-hour long virtual Press conference on Monday.

A Mulk E-Hospital patient, or app user, can easily book appointments, seek consultation and diagnosis, have medicine delivered at home - and get insurance approvals.

"We have tie-ups with many insurance providers. The service will be economical. This is a win-win situation for everyone. This is the easiest system from consultation to delivery of medicines. Healthcare is no more a privilege of a few, everyone across the world can access hospitals and specialists," Dr Shafi said.

24/7 healthcare access

As a digital ecosystem of hospitals, the app will connect patients and specialist doctors from anywhere in the world at any time of the day.

"This is a 24/7, anywhere, anytime service. If you have an issue at midnight, you can log onto the app and seek consultation from doctors across different time zones. After diagnosis, the doctor will then write a prescription to the pharmacy and within an hour medicine will be delivered at your doorstep," Dr Shafi said.

After the launch, home care visits can also be arranged for treatments and healthcare devices to check vital signs will be available for lease for a day or a week.

Mulk E-Hospital comes at a perfect time, he said, when most people are still facing challenges arising from the pandemic.

"The Covid-19 social distancing prohibits most patients to physically visit clinics and hospitals, and we are offering the perfect solution to address this concern," the doctor added.

Going global

Shaji Ul Mulk, chairman of Mulk Healthcare and Mulk Holdings, said a franchise model will be established in different countries across the world.
"Franchise modules will be required as we need a local network of hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, surgeries and post-care. In three to six months' time, we hope to bring our platform on a global level," said Shaji, who is also founder chairman of the Abu Dhabi T10 League and has a penchant for coming up with innovative ideas.

In the future, different areas will be covered, including an increased focus on medical tourism, he said. 

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is a versatile journalist who explores every beat in Abu Dhabi with an insatiable curiosity. He loves uncovering stories that are informative and help readers form their own opinions.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com