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
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
Results
STAGE
1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56
2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14
3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21
4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05
2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05
3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18
4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33
5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The design
The protective shell is covered in solar panels to make use of light and produce energy. This will drastically reduce energy loss.
More than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the French pavilion will be produced by the sun.
The architecture will control light sources to provide a highly insulated and airtight building.
The forecourt is protected from the sun and the plants will refresh the inner spaces.
A micro water treatment plant will recycle used water to supply the irrigation for the plants and to flush the toilets. This will reduce the pavilion’s need for fresh water by 30 per cent.
Energy-saving equipment will be used for all lighting and projections.
Beyond its use for the expo, the pavilion will be easy to dismantle and reuse the material.
Some elements of the metal frame can be prefabricated in a factory.
From architects to sound technicians and construction companies, a group of experts from 10 companies have created the pavilion.
Work will begin in May; the first stone will be laid in Dubai in the second quarter of 2019.
Construction of the pavilion will take 17 months from May 2019 to September 2020.
The biog
From: Ras Al Khaimah
Age: 50
Profession: Electronic engineer, worked with Etisalat for the past 20 years
Hobbies: 'Anything that involves exploration, hunting, fishing, mountaineering, the sea, hiking, scuba diving, and adventure sports'
Favourite quote: 'Life is so simple, enjoy it'
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Brief scores:
Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37
South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62
Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
Brief scores:
Day 2
England: 277 & 19-0
West Indies: 154
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
RACE CARD
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 (PA) Listed Dh230,000 1,600m
6.30pm: HH The President’s Cup (PA) Group 1 Dh2.5million 2,200m
7pm: HH The President’s Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,400m
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh70,000 1,200m.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
