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New app Etmenan to cut down medical costs

Dubai - The app will predict disease

The Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched an app that will create a patient's database by analysing their health risks and saving the country millions of dirhams in future treatment costs.

The app Etmenan [meaning of which in English means 'assurance'] will 'question' a patient/family's medical history and predict the disease outcome, thus offering early detection and treatment guidance.

In cases such as diabetes, studies prove that screening and early detection in Type II Diabetes patients will result in net savings of Dh650 million for each 100,000 inhabitants over a period of 20 years. If related cardiovascular risks are accounted for, these savings add up to Dh1.3billion, said officials at the launch of the Etmenan smart application that was done in cooperation with the Belgian company, Science Tribune, on Thursday.

Dr Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary said that the app would promote healthy lifestyle choices among the people. He said that the app was part of the national strategy to combat non-communicable diseases over the next five years (2017 - 2021). Patients can download the app and answer questions related to blood pressure, cardiovascular disease etc.

"It took three years to set up the questions. These are intelligent questions which are verified from a WHO database of 1,700 algorithms that are adjusted as and when guidelines are updated," said Francis Vanhoof, CEO of Science Tribune.

"This is personalised preventive healthcare patent by the ministry.we are moving away from reactive to preventive medicine," he said.

He also said that 80 per cent of actions needed on the questions can be handled by nurses in any healthcare system.

Etmenan will assess the health status of those 18 and above by encouraging individuals to fill out an electronic questionnaire via their smartphone, computer or through accredited health centres. The ministry will also introduce a user friendly medical device in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. Francis said that early detection of colorectal cancer leads to a saving of Dh50,000 per year.

"If, through this app, we convince each smoker to quit, it saved Dh4,000 per year. If five per cent of the 2.5 million smokers in the country quit smoking, then the UAE can save Dh500million per year," said Francis. Patients can repeat the questionnaire the following year.
New app to cut down medical costs

Etmenan, the new app will assess the health status of those 18 and above by encouraging individuals to fill out a questionnaire via their smartdevices. Patients can download the app and answer questions related to blood pressure, cardiovascular disease etc.

How much money will it save

Studies prove that screening and early detection in Type II diabetes patients will result in net savings of Dh650 million for each 100,000 inhabitants over a period of 20 years. For cardiovascular risks, these savings add up to Dh1.3billion while early detection of colorectal cancer leads to saving of Dh50,000 per year.

Moreover, is each smoker in the UAE quit smoking, it would save Dh4,000 per year.

> Detect disease at an earlier stage when it is easier and less expensive to treat effectively

> Stratify patients into groups that enable selection of optimal therapy

> Create awareness for healthy lifestyles

> Shift emphasis in medicine from reaction to prevention and from disease to wellness

> A multi-disciplinary approach where nurses will empower the healthcare provider in best clinical practices
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com