Sheikha Fatima honours employees of Corniche Hospital on its 30th anniversary

ABU DHABI (wam): "Since the foundation of the United Arab Emirates, the provision of high quality healthcare for mothers and children has been among the top priorities of our Government," the Mother of the Nation, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said yesterday. In a speech delivered on her behalf by Reem Al Falasi at a function to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of the new facilities of the Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikha Fatima told hospital staff, " Our continuing efforts to build a developed, safe and secure society depend on the health of our present and future generations. That, in turn, depends on the health of our new mothers and our new children. We are confident that they are safe in your hands." The full text of the speech follows: "It is with great pleasure that I offer my congratulations to the Corniche Hospital, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the opening of this magnificent part of the healthcare services offered to citizens and other residents of Abu Dhabi. "In the three decades since it opened – and indeed, for the several years before that when the Hospital operated in more modest accommodation - the Corniche Hospital has been at the very centre of childcare and maternity care in Abu Dhabi. Many thousands of mothers have benefited from the services the hospital has provided, and thousands of new mothers were themselves born here. The hospital and its dedicated staff have contributed much not just to one, but to two generations of mothers and children. We are grateful for all that you have done. "Since the foundation of the United Arab Emirates, the provision of high quality healthcare for mothers and children has been among the top priorities of our Government. Launched by the late Sheikh Zayed – may God rest his soul – it continues to be a top priority today, under the guidance of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, and with the follow-up of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. "One of the first fruits of that policy, over 35 years ago, was the foundation of the Corniche Hospital. Since it was established, all of you here today, and your predecessors, have devoted yourselves to delivering that high quality health care – ante-natal, natal, post-natal and paediatric. Without your efforts, we could not have achieved the high standards of healthcare for mothers and children that we now enjoy. That is reflected in the U.A.E.'s low figures for death in childbirth and for infant mortality, where our record is now amongst the best in the world. "On behalf of the U.A.E.'s mothers and children, I thank you all. I extend to you again my congratulations on all that you have achieved, and express to you all my best wishes for the years ahead. Our continuing efforts to build a developed, safe and secure society depend on the health of our present and future generations. That, in turn, depends on the health of our new mothers and our new children. We are confident that they are safe in your hands." The celebration was held at the Hospital in the presence of Prof. Maha Barakat, Director-General of the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi, Dr. Matar Rashed Al Darmaki, SEHA Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Linda Clark, CEO Corniche Hospital, along with many guests and valued staff members. In her turn, Reem Al Falasi congratulated the medical personnel and staff of Corniche Hospital for their remarkable efforts in looking after and caring for mothers and children. She also distributed certificates of appreciation to staff who have been working at the Hospital since its foundation. The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC) is an independent governmental organisation that facilitates the optimal development and protection of mothers and children in the United Arab Emirates. The Council reports directly to the President, and it was established by Federal Law No. 01 of 2003, during the reign of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is chaired by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. The Council is considered the umbrella of motherhood and childhood sectors in the United Arab Emirates, where it acts within a National Childhood and Motherhood Strategy aimed at ensuring a conducive environment for the fulfilment of the rights of all children and adolescents and achieving the welfare of mothers. The National Childhood and Motherhood Strategy serves as a reference point for decision makers in all sectors working in the field of childhood in the United Arab Emirates. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395270358822.html