GS1 UAE Conference 2026 highlights the role of global standards in transforming hospital operations across the region

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 examine how global standards are reshaping hospital operations across the region. Delegates explored the role of standardised data in improving patient safety, strengthening traceability and increasing operational efficiency as hospitals accelerate digital transformation and confront growing supply‑chain and clinical complexity.

“Healthcare transformation today requires a shared foundation that enables stakeholders across the entire healthcare ecosystem to speak the same language, exchange trusted data, and collaborate more effectively,” said Maha Unnisa, Healthcare Manager at GS1 UAE. “Through the adoption of global standards, healthcare organisations can improve traceability, strengthen patient safety, and build more resilient systems capable of supporting future healthcare needs.”

Conference takeaways and participant perspectives

Speakers from leading institutions and standards bodies presented practical experiences of implementing standards in real‑world hospital environments. They argued the sector is shifting from treating standards as a compliance obligation to leveraging them as strategic enablers of connected, transparent and data‑driven systems. Panelists emphasised that standardised identification and data‑sharing frameworks are essential for visibility across supply chains, clinical operations and regulatory reporting.

• Fatima Alsubaihi, Senior Director, Supply Chain Operations at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said supply chains must evolve from operational functions into strategic enablers of care delivery, with standardisation providing greater visibility and control.
• Deniz Bruce, CEO of GMDN Agency, stressed the importance of a “standardised device language” to improve procurement, traceability, recalls and clinical insights.
• Mark Songhurst, Programme Manager at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, noted Scan4Safety experience demonstrates how standards improve visibility and traceability, enabling faster, more informed decisions while keeping patient care central.
• Jaleel Rahiman, Director of Information Technology & PRIME Digital at Prime Health, highlighted how GS1 standards create a connected flow of information from product receipt and inventory management through to patient care.

The conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Prime Health, The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, GMDN Agency, Mecomed and SNOMED International. Sessions covered the operational impacts of standards on procurement, inventory management, recall processes and clinical decision support, with multiple speakers pointing to measurable improvements in efficiency and safety when organisations adopt common data models.

Details and sector implications

Delegates discussed concrete implementations such as Scan4Safety and device identification schemas that underpin interoperability across hospital systems. Presenters outlined how standardized identifiers and data formats reduce manual work, limit errors in clinical workflows, and enable faster response during recalls or safety incidents. The emphasis on trusted, standardised data also reflected broader regulatory pressures and the need for resilient supply chains that span manufacturers, distributors, hospitals and pharmacies.

Organisers and speakers framed standards adoption as a foundation for future innovations, including analytics, AI‑driven decision support and cross‑institutional data exchange. The conference reinforced the idea that as hospitals continue digital transformation, the ability to exchange accurate, standardised data will be critical to improving decision‑making and patient outcomes across the region.

Image Credit: GS1 UAE