DHA launches app to remind you to take medicine

Dubai - Dubai Health Authority launches app to ensure patient compliance.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched a medication reminder app called 'Dawaaee'.
The app was launched at the authority's Health Innovation Village at the Kite Beach as part of the activities to mark the UAE Innovation Week.
The app is free for use and compatible with all platforms - Apple iOS, Google Android, Blackberry and Windows Mobile, among others.
Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA, said: "The Dawaaee app will help in patient compliance as patients will receive timely reminders to take their medications. This directly helps in better treatment results ... Smart health is the way forward and is an important focus of the DHA."
Dr Ali Al Sayed, director of the pharmaceutical services department at the authority, said: "Forgetfulness due to busy lifestyles is one of the top reasons people miss their medication. Therefore, we wanted to help patients remember to take their medications by leveraging the capabilities of a smart phone ... so that it is convenient for them and fits into their daily routine.
"The Dawaaee app has a host of features, is ... easy to use and will provide patients with convenience and hassle-free medication management options."
Al Sayed said the app auto-imports a patient's current medication list if he/she has a registered file with any of the DHA hospitals and health centres. If the patient visits private healthcare providers, they need to feed the information in, which is also quite simple and takes just a couple of minutes.
The app allows patients to create custom reminders based on location, activity or time to fit into their routine.
Al Sayed said: "The app also provides refill reminders five days prior to the date of refill so that the patient can pick up the next stock of medication from the pharmacy. This ensures continuity and (there is) no unnecessary break in the medication course."
Another feature that is particularly useful in this region is the family profile option.
Al Sayed said: "A lot of elderly parents live with their children in the UAE and, therefore, we added the family option feature which enables children to (be added) to the profile of their parents so that they get reminders for when their parents need to consume their medications. This empowers them to keep track of their parents' medication schedule.
"This feature can also be used by parents if they have a child who needs to take long-term medications."
Another feature on the app lets users ask a pharmacist any question related to their medications, which will be answered within 24 hours.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai