DoH launches the Abu Dhabi Life Science Hub in the Metaverse

31 Jan, 2023:

Strengthening the emirate’s positioning as a life science hub, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, launched the Abu Dhabi Life Science Hub in the Metaverse during Arab Health 2023. The experience aims to recreate the emirate’s life science ecosystem in the metaverse through connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and healthcare providers in a virtual setting to exchange knowledge and experiences. The Hub will be home to the Department’s virtual headquarters in the Metaverse with aim of providing the entire Abu Dhabi healthcare ecosystem with a platform to create their own experiences in the hub in following stages. In future phases, the Abu Dhabi Life Science Hub on the Metaverse will provide visitors with access to consultations and a wide array of healthcare services from the comfort of their homes. 

Reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for innovation in healthcare, the launch of the Metaverse Hub is a translation to the Department’s efforts in adopting the latest innovations to elevate the sector’s outcomes and provide sustainable and future-proof solutions to the various healthcare stakeholders. 

During Arab Health, DoH is set to host a demo-day allowing investors and health start-ups to interconnect and pitch innovative solutions to potential capitalists. Participants will have the chance to explore the experience and collaborate with DoH to develop their own experiences within the hub. 

In a virtually augmented experience, DoH will welcome Metaverse visitors to its office, where they can visit up to 11 various points of experience, varying from conference halls, a 3D human-body model booth, as well as an exhibition room. Through this platform, the experience will allow users to create their own avatars, interact with one another while manoeuvring the Department’s HQ to learn more about its services, projects, and initiatives.

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: “The launch of Abu Dhabi life-science ecosystem and DoH’s offices in the Metaverse is a visionary milestone that reflects the Department’s efforts in leveraging advanced technologies to enhance healthcare outcomes across all levels. Under the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, we remain committed to adopting breakthrough solutions and innovative tools to improve the healthcare experience for community members, medical cadres, entrepreneurs, and investors. Further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for innovation and life sciences, we continue to upkeep with rising technologies and rapid healthcare developments to maintain and safeguard the health and well-being off all community members.” 

The metaverse is a technology that uses a virtually augmented reality to create an interconnected network of 3D virtual worlds, in which users can access and interact with in real-time, and has gained popularity in recent years. Users can control their movement and actions within these virtual worlds through eye movements and voice commands, using a headset that fully immerses them in the experience and makes them feel like they are physically present in the virtual environment. 

Currently in the development phase, DoH has teamed-up with Next50, one of Abu Dhabi-based leading technology and industrial AI providers to develop and deploy the platform using the best technologies in the Metaverse domain. Aligned with DoH’s strategy to digitise healthcare services, both parties are working together to improve the Metaverse experience, thus creating a more sustainable mean of telemedicine in the emirate. 

Arab Health is the largest medical exhibition in the Middle East and is taking place this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 30 January to 2 February 2023. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is inviting guests to visit its stand and view the latest healthcare technologies and innovations of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector. The DoH stand is under the “Emirates Health” Pavilion, located in Hall 5, Stand H5.B10.