Abu Dhabi –May 30, 2021: Malaffi, the region’s first Health Information Exchange (HIE) and a strategic initiative of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH), today announced that it has received accreditation from two global authorities – the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC) – recognising excellence in data privacy and security best practices.

Malaffi enables the real-time exchange of important patient health information between all public and private healthcare providers across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Since its inception in 2019, data safety and security has been a top priority for the organisation. ISO and EHNAC are stringent regulators who assess a company’s dedication to information security through rigorous on-site audits and evaluations. This global recognition demonstrates that excellence in data handling is fundamental to Malaffi and reaffirms the platform’s dedication to keeping patients and their health information safe through its robust data security standards.

Malaffi is the first HIE outside of the US to ever have been awarded EHNAC accreditation. EHNAC’s Health Information Exchange Accreditation Programme (HIEAP) assesses the platform for global privacy policies, security measures, technical performance, business practices and organisational resources. It also reviews the governance structure and how the HIE is managed, ensuring enhanced trust among the healthcare community and patients alike.

ISO, an independent organisation which sets the standard for international best practices, awarded Malaffi the ISO 27001:2013 Certification (also referred to as ISO 27001). The certification is given to organisations who adhere to best practice standards in establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving security management, whilst managing and minimising risk.

Atif Al Braiki, the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Health Data Services, the operator of Malaffi, said: “Technology is revolutionising healthcare delivery globally, and innovative solutions like HIEs, which allow the exchange of real-time, meaningful information, supports safer, more efficient and more effective healthcare delivery. Privacy and security of patients go hand in hand with their care and ensuring effective safety measures are in place to protect data is critical. We are in a unique position of trust, so in addition to compliance with all Emirate-wide and federal health privacy laws and data standards, we strive to adhere to global best practice. Prioritising security has always been at the heart of Malaffi’s journey, as we have aligned with the highest standards, continuously assessed and addressed potential risks and worked to improve our data security capabilities. Recognition from the ISO and EHNAC reaffirms our successful commitment to the integrity of patient security.”

Speaking about this important achievement for Malaffi, Abdulla Bader Al Sayari, Chief Information Security Officer at DoH said: “Recognition from independent, international bodies is extremely important for our healthcare system. In a short space of time, we have built a health infrastructure that is on a par with some of the most advanced in the world. Always at the heart of this ambitious journey, is the safety of our patients and the security of their health information. By looking to global benchmarks and organisations like ISO and EHNAC, whose sole ambition is to improve data standards, we can ensure that Malaffi adheres to the highest criteria and enables the Department of Health to offer high quality healthcare services.”

EHNAC Executive Director and CEO, Lee Barrett said: “The EHNAC was established to promote accreditation within the healthcare industry, to help our partners achieve the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, quality and accountability in all they do. With the implementation of such innovative technology for the first time in Abu Dhabi, instilling a sense of stakeholder-trust is vitally important.  As the leading accreditation authority for HIEs, EHNAC recognises the efforts made by Malaffi and the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi to continuously promote standards that support compliance, interoperability, trust, quality, innovation and regulatory compliance at all times, and congratulates Malaffi on being the first recipient of the accreditation outside of the US.”