GS1 UAE convened healthcare leaders, regulators, manufacturers, pharmacies, representatives from more than 20 hospitals, and industry experts at the GS1 UAE Healthcare Conference 2026 to explore how global standards are improving patient safety, strengthening traceability, and increasing operational efficiency across hospitals in the region.
The conference served as a platform for healthcare stakeholders to share practical experiences and insights on implementing standards in real-world hospital environments. Discussions focused on how healthcare organisations can better navigate growing complexity across supply chains, clinical operations, and regulatory requirements.
A key theme that emerged was the shift from viewing standards as a compliance requirement to recognising them as a strategic enabler of more connected, transparent, and data-driven healthcare systems. As hospitals accelerate digital transformation, the ability to exchange accurate, standardised data is becoming critical to improving decision-making and patient outcomes.
Adopting global standards
“Through the adoption of global standards, healthcare organizations can improve traceability, strengthen patient safety, and build more resilient systems capable of supporting future healthcare needs,” said Maha Unnisa, Healthcare Manager, GS1 UAE.
“This helps improve efficiency, support informed decision-making, and strengthen overall operational resilience,” added Fatima Alsubaihi, Senior Director, Supply Chain Operations at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
“When stakeholders are speaking the same language, better decisions become possible at every stage of the healthcare journey,” highlighted Deniz Bruce, CEO, GMDN Agency.
Visibility and traceability
” By improving visibility and traceability across hospital processes, healthcare providers can make faster, more informed decisions while ensuring that patient care remains at the centre of everything they do,” commented Mark Songhurst, Programme Manager, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
“GS1 standards help create a connected flow of information from product receipt and inventory management through to patient care, enabling greater transparency, improved operational efficiency, and more informed decision-making across healthcare facilities,” noted Jaleel Rahiman, Director of Information Technology & PRIME Digital, Prime Health.
