Emirates Health Services (EHS) has integrated AI solutions into its Medical Examination Centres for Residency, deploying general chest imaging to improve pulmonary tuberculosis detection. The initiative, which began in 2021, reflects EHS's broader push toward AI-driven diagnostics — delivering faster, more precise results at scale.
Accuracy Jumps from 80% to 98%
Since the Emirates Health Services AI tuberculosis detection system went live in 2021, accuracy has climbed from 80% to 98% by 2024. That 18-percentage-point gain represents a significant leap in diagnostic reliability for one of the UAE's most important public-health screening programmes — the residency medical examination.
The AI analyses chest imaging and produces results in under one minute, enabling radiologists to finalise their reports quickly. This speed shortens the overall diagnostic cycle and allows clinicians to begin treatment sooner, a critical advantage when managing an infectious disease like tuberculosis.
EHS Leadership on the AI Upgrade
Dr. Abdullah Al-Naqbi, Acting Executive Director of the Supportive Health Services Sector at EHS, highlighted the real-world impact: the technology "enhances testing accuracy to 98%, thereby improving the ability to intervene swiftly."
He added that incorporating AI into the Medical Examination Centres for Residency marks a pivotal advancement in both diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency — particularly for identifying infectious diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis at the earliest possible stage.
Aligning with UAE's Digital Health Vision
The deployment fits within EHS's organisational strategy of digital innovation, designed to improve service sustainability and strengthen the UAE's healthcare sector. By raising detection rates and reducing turnaround times, EHS is also helping to limit the spread of infectious disease across the country.
Emirates Health Services continues to invest in modern medical technologies to meet the highest standards of patient care, supporting the UAE's standing as a global leader in digital health. The initiative also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by accelerating disease prevention and improving community health outcomes.
