Mohammed bin Rashid calls for upgrading of healthcare sector

Dubai (WAM); Pursuant to directives from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has urged stakeholders in the public and private healthcare sector to unify their efforts to develop the medical services, construct a quality healthcare system and provide best services to people aiming to improve quality of life and welfare of citizens. Sheikh Mohammed instructed that practical measures should be placed in action to apply the national regular medical check-ups programme for all citizens, and he approved the study conducted on the subject matter following his directives. He asserted that citizens' health is the highest priority, and providing quality healthcare services is a right for every Emirati as it is directly related to the society's welfare and happiness. Sheikh Mohammed called on all the local and federal healthcare facilities to unite efforts to provide best medical treatment and to take the UAE healthcare sector to the international standards. Sheikh Mohammed's remarks came during his attendance of the Government Innovation Lab organised by the Ministry of Health at the JW Marriott Hotel Dubai. In presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed exchanged ideas with participants and listened to their views about the development of healthcare services in the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed has issued his directives to launch the implementation phase of the mobile healthcare services programme to provide services in remote areas, especially for senior citizens. He said: "I want to deliver healthcare services to people wherever they are, and I do not want any citizen to suffer in this aspect as it is the government's duty to reach people at any time and in any place and provide medical treatment with the same quality we provide other government services." During his visit to the Government Innovation Lab, Sheikh Mohammed approved the study for the establishment of a specialised medical training centre, and directed stakeholders to speed up the process to complete the establishment of the centre to provide continuing training programmes for medical cadres and train them on the latest developments the medical field. He also reviewed the recommendations of the study conducted on the national regular medical check-ups program, a study he launched earlier to analyse the project. Sheikh Mohammed said, "The UAE Government utilises its full capacity to support creative and applicable initiatives that shall contribute to achieving the community's health and happiness and assuring quality healthcare services for citizens, in the fastest way possible." He lauded the efforts of the team that complete the medical cadres' standardisations unification initiative. The team was composed of Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Dubai Health Authority and Ministry of Health. Sheikh Mohammed also praised the interactive response of the Ministry of Health with the instructions and initiatives that Sheikh Mohammed launched previously through the Government Innovation Lab that was held recently at Sir Bani Yas. The Ministry briefed His Highness on the progress, and he urged the stakeholders to speed up implementation according to the timeline approved during the last Cabinet retreat. He directed the concerned authorities to increase health awareness and start implementing programs to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and Cardiovascular disease. Following a visual presentation about the achievement of the Ministry of Health's team, Sheikh Mohammed called for collective efforts and speeding up the work to execute the healthcare projects according to the UAE National Agenda. He asked all related entities to collaborate and coordinate to produce creative solutions that shall develop this vital sector. During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Health Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Director General of Dubai Health Authority Essa Al Maidoor and number of senior officials from the Ministry of Health. Number of initiatives aiming to improve healthcare services had been launched after obtain approval during the Cabinet retreat in Sir Bani Yas, and they include: Approving the launching of the mobile healthcare programme to serve citizens in remote areas specially senior citizens. Launching a program to evaluate hospitals and medical practices, Approving the national regular medical check-ups programme, Establishing specialised professional cadre for the public healthcare sector and develop occupational path, Unifying accreditation procedures for medical doctors and healthcare workers nationwide, Introducing unified national standards for hospitals in the UAE, Launching the cancer screening program aiming to diagnose and treat cancer in its early stages, Approving the establishment of national database for all medical records to facilitate patients' transferring between hospitals, Approving a set of procedures to control obesity and encourage healthy lifestyle, Introducing a strategy to establish a medical research and development centre in cooperation with academia, Establishing a unified national record for cancer patients, Launching the UAE Board as regional reference for all medical specialisations, Launching a specialised training centre, with international standards, to train and qualify workers in the medical field, Increasing the appeal of nursing as a profession and introduce a program to attract nationals to this occupation, Launching a comprehensive program to increase awareness about healthy lifestyles as preventive measure, and establishing unified standards for healthy diet in public and private schools. – Emirates News Agency, WAM