What does Malaffi require of an Abu Dhabi clinic in 2026?

Share data with Malaffi, as DOH's exchange policy requires, and check Malaffi before requesting any lab or radiology examination, under Circular 2026/30. Send referral data to Malaffi too, under Circular 2026/144, which set full compliance by 31 August 2026.

The policy and the 2026 circulars

DOH's Policy on the Abu Dhabi Health Information Exchange makes universal participation and data sharing mandatory, and lets DOH suspend or withdraw a licence for failing to follow the rollout.¹ In February 2026, Circular 2026/30 required clinicians to use Malaffi before requesting laboratory or radiology examinations.² In July, Circular 2026/144 required referral data to be sent to Malaffi as HL7 referral messages with SNOMED-coded specialty, with full compliance by 31 August 2026.³

Malaffi reports more than 3,100 connected facilities and every hospital connected.⁴

1. Confirm the connection. Your record system connected, and data flowing.
2. Check before ordering. Clinicians open Malaffi before a lab or radiology request.
3. Send every referral. Referrals written in the record and sent to Malaffi in the required format.
4. Name an owner. One person who watches the Malaffi data DOH uses for enforcement.

1. Connection status ______
2. Referrals written ______ Sent to Malaffi ______
3. Lab and radiology requests with a Malaffi check ______
4. Gaps and actions ______

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Questions

Has the referral deadline passed?

Yes, Circular 2026/144 set full compliance by 31 August 2026.

Can DOH act on Malaffi non-compliance?

Yes, DOH's policy allows it to suspend or withdraw a licence, and it enforces the 2026 circulars through Malaffi data.

Do TCAM centres need Malaffi?

Yes, Circular 2026/171 gives them a 12-month grace period, after which a non-compliant centre's licence will not be renewed.

Sources

1. 1Department of Health Abu Dhabi, 2020Policy on the Abu Dhabi Health Information ExchangeRead source
2. 2Department of Health Abu Dhabi, 2026Circular 2026/30, mandatory use of Malaffi before laboratory and radiology requestsRead source
3. 3Department of Health Abu Dhabi, 2026Circular 2026/144, mandatory submission of referral data to MalaffiRead source
4. 4Malaffi, 2026Malaffi, the Abu Dhabi Health Information ExchangeRead source
5. 5Department of Health Abu Dhabi, 2026Circular 2026/171, Malaffi for traditional, complementary and alternative medicine centresRead source

Written by the wai team from Department of Health Abu Dhabi guidance, checked on 15 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. DOH does not endorse wai or any software.