The Department of Health (DOH) Abu Dhabi has officially announced that all school clinics must implement a DOH-compliant Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system fully integrated with Malaffi by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.
This regulation ensures that every school clinic in the UAE manages student health data efficiently, securely, and in full alignment with national health digitalization goals. The shift to digital health records will not only enhance compliance but also transform how student health is monitored, analyzed, and reported.
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Why DOH-Compliant EMR Is Now Mandatory for School Clinics
The new DOH circular emphasizes that school clinics must move away from paper-based systems to fully digital solutions. An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform that connects with Malaffi allows for seamless sharing of student health information while maintaining strict data security and privacy standards.
This mandate will ensure:
- Faster access to student medical histories
- Improved communication with healthcare providers
- Real-time health data submission to DOH via Malaffi
Key Features Required in a School Clinic EMR System
A compliant school clinic EMR system should offer functionality tailored to student health management and DOH compliance. Essential features include:
1. DOH-Compliant and Malaffi Integrated
The EMR system must meet all DOH school clinic guidelines and integrate smoothly with Malaffi, ensuring that student health data is submitted accurately and on time.
2. Student-Centric Health Record Management
Every school clinic should be able to securely store and manage each student’s complete medical record — including medical history, vaccination details, allergies, chronic conditions, and ongoing medications — all in one centralized platform.
3. Efficient Referrals and Annual Screenings
The EMR should enable electronic referrals for students based on screening outcomes. Annual or periodic health screenings such as vision, hearing, and BMI tracking should be digitized and easily accessible.
4. Bulk Data Updates and Reporting
School clinics handle large volumes of student data. The system should support bulk updates for BMI, vision tests, and health screenings, simplifying quarterly or yearly data submission to Malaffi.
School Clinic EMR System Requirements
When requesting quotations or proposals for EMR implementation, schools should ensure that the vendor provides clear details on:
- Implementation and training costs
- Annual maintenance or subscription fees
- Technical support and service terms
- Data security, encryption, and backup options
- Additional hardware or integration requirements
A transparent proposal will help your school clinic budget effectively and ensure smooth deployment before the DOH deadline.
Benefits of EMR Adoption for School Clinics
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets DOH and Malaffi digital health standards.
- Time Efficiency: Reduces manual data entry and paper handling.
- Data Accuracy: Ensures precise student health recordkeeping.
- Better Communication: Connects school nurses, administrators, and healthcare providers.
- Health Insights: Enables analysis of student health trends for early intervention.
Why Act Now
With the DOH Abu Dhabi deadline approaching, schools must begin evaluating EMR vendors now to ensure timely implementation. Waiting until the last moment may risk non-compliance, potential penalties, and operational disruption.
Choosing a DOH-approved EMR solution will help your school clinic transition smoothly to a digital environment — aligning with the UAE’s broader vision for connected, data-driven healthcare.
Conclusion
The future of school health management in the UAE depends on digital transformation. Implementing a DOH-compliant EMR system integrated with Malaffi is no longer optional — it’s a regulatory necessity.
If you represent a school clinic in Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the UAE, now is the time to act. Request quotations, assess your current infrastructure, and adopt a compliant EMR solution to ensure your students’ health records are managed with efficiency, security, and full DOH compliance.
