Malaffi sets a regional benchmark with its comprehensive SNOMED CT enabled HIE implementation in the Middle East and North Africa.
London, United Kingdom – November 12, 2025 – SNOMED International today recognized M42’s Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS) for its leadership in advancing healthcare interoperability and clinical data quality through the large-scale implementation of SNOMED CT within Malaffi, Abu Dhabi’s Health Information Exchange (HIE).
As the first HIE in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to implement SNOMED CT comprehensively across public and private healthcare providers, this initiative represents a major step forward in the region’s digital health transformation. Managed by ADHDS, Malaffi connects more than 3,000 healthcare facilities and 50,000 clinical users, enabling the seamless and secure exchange of standardized patient information.
“Abu Dhabi Health Data Services and Malaffi have achieved an exceptional level of data standardization that demonstrates how structured terminology can transform healthcare,” said Don Sweete, Chief Executive Officer of SNOMED International. “Their success illustrates the impact of implementing SNOMED CT with strong governance, stakeholder collaboration, and technical excellence. The result is a system capable of delivering consistent, high-quality data to support better care, smarter analytics, and AI-driven innovation.”
The SNOMED CT implementation in Malaffi spans multiple clinical domains—including diagnoses, allergies, chronic conditions, family and social history, and diagnostic procedures—ensuring that information maintains its meaning and context across diverse electronic medical record (EMR) systems. By embedding SNOMED CT directly within EMRs, ADHDS has improved the quality and usability of clinical data while eliminating the need for third-party terminology servers, creating a sustainable and cost-effective model for large-scale data standardization.
This achievement builds on strong regulatory and strategic collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, which issued coding guidance in 2021 and supported the UAE’s membership in SNOMED International. Together, these frameworks have created an enabling environment for interoperability, innovation, and the responsible application of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
High-quality, coded clinical data is the foundation for AI and predictive analytics. With SNOMED CT, Malaffi is powering advanced data applications that strengthen clinical decision support, improve patient safety, and enable real-time public health surveillance. The system also supports evidence-based policymaking and population health initiatives across the Emirate.
“Comprehensive data standardization is no longer a technical ambition—it’s a clinical necessity,” added Sweete. “ADHDS has demonstrated that with vision, policy support, and collaboration, achieving true semantic interoperability is possible. SNOMED International is proud to partner with them as they continue to lead regional efforts to enable safer, smarter, and more connected care.”
About Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH)
The Department of Health – (DOH) is the regulatory body of the Healthcare Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and ensures excellence in healthcare for the community by monitoring the health status of the population. DOH defines the strategy for the health system monitors and analyses the health status of the population and performance of the system. In addition, DOH shapes the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforces standards, and encourages adoption of world–class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare service providers in the Emirate. DOH also drives programs to increase awareness and adoption of healthy living standards among the residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in addition to regulating scope of services, premiums and reimbursement rates of the health system in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. For more information visit www.doh.gov.ae.
For media inquiries contact Mariam Al Marzooqi, Media Specialist, The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi:
T: +971 2 4193 315 | E: msalmarzooqi@doh.gov.ae
About Abu Dhabi Health Data Services LLC (ADHDS)
M42’s Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS) is a premier digital healthcare solutions company serving as a strategic catalyst for advancing the healthcare ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and beyond. ADHDS digitally empowers health by championing innovative solutions to elevate the quality of care, expand access, optimise costs, and unlock efficiencies on a national, regional, and global scale. Harnessing the power of data and technology, ADHDS drives transformative change across the healthcare eco-system and makes a lasting impact on the communities they serve.
ADHDS was established in 2018 as a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) with the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DOH) to build and operate Malaffi, the trailblazing Abu Dhabi Health Information Exchange (HIE). Following the successful delivery of Malaffi, as one of the fastest rolled-out and most advanced HIEs globally, ADHDS has become renowned for successfully delivering major national digital healthcare transformational projects, acting as a critical link between regulators, governments, healthcare providers, biopharma companies, and patient communities. ADHDS is an asset of M42, a global health leader powered by artificial intelligence and technology to transform care for all.
Media Contact:
For media inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact Edelman.
M: 0502300513 | E: M42Corporate@edelman.com
About M42
M42 is a global health champion powered by artificial intelligence (AI), technology and genomics to advance innovation in health for people and the planet. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, M42 combines its specialized, state-of-the-art facilities with integrated health solutions like genomics and biobanks, and harnesses advanced technologies to deliver precise, preventive and predictive care, to impactfully disrupt traditional healthcare models and positively impact lives globally.
Established in 2022, following the coming together of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health, M42 has more than 480 facilities in 26 countries and over 20,000 employees. M42 includes renowned healthcare providers including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Danat Al Emarat, Diaverum, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Hospital, and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi. As well as operating the Emirati Genome Programme, M42 runs Abu Dhabi BioBank and Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a global tech-enabled healthcare company operating Malaffi.
Media Contact:
For media inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact Edelman.
M: 0502300513 | E: M42Corporate@edelman.com
About SNOMED International
SNOMED International is a Member-driven, not-for-profit organization that owns, develops, and maintains SNOMED CT, the world’s most comprehensive clinical terminology. The organization works globally to enable consistent, high-quality health information exchange, improve clinical decision-making, and accelerate digital health transformation.
Media Contact:
Kelly Kuru, Chief Communications Officer