Estonia is leading the way in how the world could one day become 100 per cent digital, with health care the most likely industry to improve as a result.
On day two of Arab Health 2025, delegates from the Baltic state, which has a population of about 1.3 million, were displaying the latest developments in a digitalised society that has become a beacon for the rest of the world.
The foundation stone for Estonia’s digital ecosystem has been in place for more than 20 years, with almost all government services now online, and records held securely for users and government departments to access with a few smartphone finger swipes.
Estonians can now access all government services through a portal using a single, centralised log-in, connecting them to an entire online network, from education and employment records, to marriage and divorce.
But it is in the healthcare sector, where the country is 100 per cent digital, that the results are proving most transformative. With patient permission, doctors can access entire medical history, from dental records to prescriptions and scan results.
Agreements are also in place for records to be shared among neighbouring countries under agreed partnerships, allowing Estonians to collect medication in nations such as Latvia and Finland.
Model nation
Estonia's data-driven network came first in last year's Digital Health Index by Bertelsmann Stiftung, making it a model that is being replicated not only in the UAE but across the world.
“Digitalisation started in 1996 when the government actually took the decision to bring computers to all schools and everybody got access to some first level programming,” said Reet Reinart-Okugbeni, a leading R&D expert at Estonia’s Applied Research Programme.
“It has been very gradual but it has prepared the country for this process. Now you can access most of your health history from this one platform. We can access records from our mobile phones to see the different appointments we've taken and the different kind of prescriptions we were prescribed.”
The digital process uses emerging technology and digital tools that can help diagnose ailments in the home and better manage patient flow through health systems. By cutting the need for physical movement, processes can be more easily automated, preparing health systems for advancements in technology.
"Our fully integrated digital health system empowers every citizen with secure access to their online health records, seamlessly connecting data from healthcare providers across the nation,” said Maria Belovas, Estonia’s ambassador to the UAE. “This initiative exemplifies how a collaborative approach between state-backed innovation and private-sector expertise can revolutionise healthcare accessibility and enhance efficiency.”
The country is also developing home-grown solutions to tackle everyday health challenges for Estonians. Estonia’s pioneering e-prescription system, Helmes, connects doctors, pharmacies and patients to enhance efficiency, while the National Health Record, Nortal, uses blockchain security for data integrity, ensuring transparency in all digital systems.
Superbrain
Another Estonian device is the Superbrain headset by Tallinn company, 7Sense. The €9,000 ($9,384) device uses patented haptic technology that helps blind people safely navigate the outside world, similar to a guide dog.
A number of cameras monitor the surrounding area, creating soft touch-like sensations to warn users of objects and hazards.
“This device allows the blind to feel the surrounding environment with the sense of touch, they can feel the surrounding objects, motion and speed,” said Madis Paev, co-founder of 7Sense. “Usually if you hand something to a blind person, you have to take their hand and put the object there. With this device they can actually understand where the object is.”
The headset has been designed and manufactured in Estonia, from where it is also being sold. It is also being used in Germany and the UK.
What about the UAE?
The UAE is fast catching up with the digital success of Estonia and is leading the way in its own transformation in Gulf countries.
“In Abu Dhabi I can comfortably say we are 100 per cent digitised through our Health Services platform, Malaffi,” said Dr Fahed Al Marzooqi, chief executive of integrated health solutions platform M42. “All of the hospitals are connected, as are the labs and pharmacies.
“So if you see a physician in Cleveland Clinic AD and then later a physician in NMC, we can see your journey digitally, what has been ordered, what has been prescribed and what tests you have gone through. This is providing optimal care to the patient and expediting care delivery. It is also minimising harm and impacting healthcare expenditure because we're not repeating tests.”
Innovation and the use of AI is also a key part of the digital transformation across many of the UAE’s private facilities, including at Saudi German Hospital.
The hospital group recently partnered with iO Health to integrate AI in all its operations, including clinical decision-making and to optimise resources.
It also aims to simplify complex healthcare pathways, improve patient engagement and also hand doctors the most advanced tools for more precise treatments.
“This is a pivotal step in our journey toward a fully digitalised healthcare ecosystem,” said Dr Ahmed Eissa, Group CEO of Saudi German Hospital, UAE.
“By integrating AI into our operations, we are not just improving efficiency; we are transforming the way healthcare is delivered in the UAE.
“Our focus is on creating a system that empowers patients, supports clinicians, and ensures better health outcomes.”
Arab Health 2025 - in pictures
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
India cancels school-leaving examinations
Celta Vigo 2
Castro (45'), Aspas (82')
Barcelona 2
Dembele (36'), Alcacer (64')
Red card: Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)
RACE CARD
4.30pm: Maiden Dh80,000 1,400m
5pm: Conditions Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 3 Dh300,000 1,400m
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Group 2 Dh300,000 2,200m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (30-60) Dh80,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (40-70) Dh80,000 1,600m.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
PROFILE BOX:
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Rami Salman, Rishav Jalan, Ayush Chordia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Technology, Sales, Voice, Artificial Intelligence
Size: (employees/revenue) 10/ 100,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($800,000)
Investors: Eight first-round investors including, Beco Capital, 500 Startups, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Hala Fadel, Odin Financial Services, Dubai Angel Investors, Womena, Arzan VC
Third Test
Day 3, stumps
India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151
India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
Spec%20sheet
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
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Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Top financial tips for graduates
Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:
1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.
2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.
3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.
4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The biog
Date of birth: 27 May, 1995
Place of birth: Dubai, UAE
Status: Single
School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar
University: University of Sharjah
Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
The years Ramadan fell in May
All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
