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Thumbay Medicity Introduces a Whole New Healthcare Experience with AI, VR & Robotics Enabled Technologies

Thumbay Medicity Introduces a Whole New Healthcare Experience

with AI, VR & Robotics Enabled Technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Virtual Reality (VR) are rapidly changing our lifestyles and the way we access services. One industry where this change is most pronounced is the healthcare sector, where innovative technologies have not only brought about more precision and efficiency, but have also led to significant savings in terms of time and operational costs. It is in this context that we take a look at the state-of-the-art facilities at Thumbay Medicity – a regional hub of medical education, healthcare and research – where cutting-edge technology combined with top-notch professional expertise has created a futuristic healthcare model.

Established by the Dubai-based business conglomerate Thumbay Group with core interests in medical education, healthcare and research, Thumbay Medicity is one of the latest additions to the UAE’s healthcare sector; the first such project in the private sector. Located in Ajman, Thumbay Medicity features advanced technology and global expertise, and can serve a floating population of 20,000+ people with its advanced facilities in education, healthcare, research, leisure, luxury, fitness, entertainment, etc., built with an investment of over a billion Dirhams. Thumbay Medicity houses the Gulf Medical University, Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital and outlets of Thumbay Pharmacy and Thumbay Labs, in addition to Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, Thumbay Food Court, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shoppe, and the upcoming Thumbay Housing Project to accommodate 2500 staff and students.

Technological Superiority

One aspect which differentiates the hospitals at Thumbay Medicity is their technological superiority in terms of patient convenience, treatment modalities and efficiency of operations. The VR and AI-based technologies at the three hospitals, the robotics pharmacy and the dedicated pneumatic tube systems for sample handling at the diagnostic labs and the use of robotics and VR in rehabilitation and medical education are cases in example.

Improved Accuracy and Better Outcomes through Robotics 

One of the most remarkable entities of Thumbay Medicity is the state-of-the-art robotic pharmacy – Thumbay Pharmacy – located in Thumbay University Hospital. The pharmacy features advanced robotics technology for preparing and dispensing medicines, eliminating the chances of human errors and ensuring patient safety. It also achieves significant reduction of waiting times, as it is fully automated for faster processing of orders. Spread across 4700 sq. ft. area, it is equipped with robotic and pneumatic tube system, and has been designed for high density storage up to 42,000 units and hassle-free retrieval of medications. 

Robotics is also used at Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital, especially in the form of wearable technology such as bionics suit, smart glove etc. They not only aid optimal motor and/or cognitive functional recovery for persons with impairments, but also support independent living of persons with chronic or degenerative limitations in motor and/or cognitive abilities, such as the elderly and persons with severe disabilities.

Artificial Intelligence for Greater Efficiency

AI-based technology is yet another area where Thumbay Medicity stands out. Thumbay University Hospital uses face-detection system for patient medical records, based on which patient records are easily retrieved with a face scan, ensuring safety and safeguarding against mishandling of patient data. Also, the new robotics pharmacy features the EvoTec System which optimizes storage with artificial intelligence algorithms for smart loading, unloading and delivery at the pharmacist counter. It is equipped with medication safety bar-code scanning, ensuring that the medications and strengths are correct during both the carousel stocking and dispensing process. The hospital also has a full-fledged radiology department with PET-CT scan, a first of its kind in the UAE’s northern Emirates, enabling better and faster diagnosis. Technologies for GAIT analysis and Sensory Feedback at the rehabilitation hospital help patients effectively undergo physical therapy, leading to speedy and complete recovery.

The Virtual Reality Edge

The Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital at Thumbay Medicity makes extensive use of Virtual Reality to ensure optimal recovery and rehabilitation. Various VR technologies used at the hospitals provides comprehensive neurocognitive training to children and adults, in addition to aiding performance enhancement and recovery/pain/stress management. The hospital is equipped with cutting-edge VR-based applications like driving simulators, J Dome and specialized technology for stimulating various senses in adults and kids.

The Gulf Medical University (GMU), a leading medical university in the region located at Thumbay Medicity uses VR in training its students, in the form of Virtual Patient Learning (VPL), becoming the first University in the region to introduce this technology which is a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) application invoking critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and communicational skills amongst students. The program gives the students authentic medical problems including history and clinical examination, investigations, lab results, vital signs, X-rays, and interaction with virtual patients to obtain information that would help them correctly identify medical problems of each case and prescribe treatments. GMU also has the distinction of being the first medical university in the region to introduce 3D Digital Learning, with basic medical sciences, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry presented in immersive technology in high definition, for the benefit of students.

Technology’s Growing Role

The world over, healthcare systems are undergoing a shift towards technological innovation for improving care delivery. While technologies like AI, VR and Robotics are among the fastest growing areas of healthcare investment and technology research, they are unlikely to completely replace the human healthcare professionals. 

However, there is no denying the fact that these technologies mark the advent of a whole new era in healthcare, characterized by improving the quality, efficiency and accessibility of healthcare, in addition to aiding in training and research. 

Commenting on the growing role of technology in healthcare, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, the Founder President of Thumbay Group says, “With recent survey results suggesting that a majority of the Middle East’s public are happy to see AI systems being used in healthcare, new doctors with the ability to use AI tools will replace the old doctors who don’t use these AI techniques. There are so many potential applications for robotics, AI and VR in healthcare, and some of the changes we can expect to see in the future include AI-based screening of diseases like cancer, development of chatbots that permit quick at-home clinical assessments and diagnoses, etc. The bottom line is that change is coming- and that means it’s a very exciting time for the healthcare industry.”

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