Day: September 19, 2021

DUBAI, The Dubai Government has released the Dubai Clinical Practice Guideline for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Children and Adolescents, an important initiative to enhance the integrated health and social care system for People of Determination, particularly people with ASD.

The guideline aims to unify the procedures and mechanisms for early detection and intervention, integration of treatment methods and protocols, and upgrading of health and social services to ensure people with autism have equal opportunities in education, health, employment, and other spheres of life.

The policy is aligned with the implementation of the inclusive health policy programme of the Dubai Disability Strategy 2020 that forms part of the ‘My Community… A City for Everyone’ initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. The strategy aims to transform Dubai into a highly accessible city for People of Determination, secure their rights and provide them with the highest quality of life.

In its mission, objectives and scope of implementation, the guideline is consistent with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) renewed call to governments around the world to boost policies, systems and guidelines for improving the quality of life of people with ASD and enhancing their health and wellbeing.

WHO estimates that worldwide about one in 160 children have ASD. The Dubai Clinical Guideline will be a major tool for making decisions and developing policies related to people with autism spectrum disorder, as well as providing healthcare providers and families guidance on helping children and young people with ASD overcome the challenges and health conditions they face, integrate them socially and provide them a high quality of life.

Awadh Al Ketbi, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority said that Dubai has introduced several policies, principles and objectives that place it at the forefront of cities that address the needs of people of determination. The city is working with all stakeholders to become a global role model for the provision of health and social care to people of determination, including those with ASD.

The protocols and guidelines that form part of the new document were developed by a Government of Dubai team to ensure the highest standards of care for people with ASD in the emirate. The team included representatives from Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the Dubai Health Authority and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority, who consulted with global experts from the United States and Australia and drew from international best practices.

The guideline can be viewed on the following link

https://www.dha.gov.ae/Asset%20Library/HealthRegulation/Autism%20guidelines-20final2.pdf The Authority confirmed that the guideline will be translated and distributed to medical facilities to ensure that its recommendations reach families, helping enhance the provision of integrated care for people with ASD.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Government of Dubai’s Department of Finance (DoF) announced the cancellation of commission on the payment of all government transaction fees that customers incur when paying the fees from their current and savings bank accounts, through the smart Dubai portal (e-Pay).

DoF explained that no commission will be collected when government customers pay the service fees of any Dubai government entity through the e-Pay portal, with the bank direct debit, confirming that “the commission collection has now become invalid”.

“Exceeding AED 150 million annually, DoF will bear the costs of commissions paid to the authorised collectors of government fees through smart channels, on behalf of customers, being individuals or companies,” confirmed Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DoF. “Symbolising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we want to encourage digital transformation and raise customer happiness.”

Jamal Hamed Al Marri, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DoF, revealed that customers’ payments of government services fees through credit cards “continues to occupy the largest share among the government-approved smart payment channels. This is attributed to the ease of using credit cards and the privileges that banks offer their holders.”

“We found that many customers, on the other hand, want to pay government transaction fees through direct debit cards linked to their bank accounts, both current and saving. Therefore, we decided to cancel the commission that was imposed on the use of direct debit cards, in order to encourage customers, and provide them with more payment options,” he added. “This step comes in support of the demand for smart payment channels, especially since the Government of the Dubai will become completely paperless next December, to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Paperless Strategy.”

The Dubai Paperless Strategy was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, back in February 2018, with the aim of digitising all internal and external government transactions and making them paperless.

In a related context, the Government of Dubai, represented by DoF and the Dubai Digital Authority, intends later this year to make the smart payment service available through linking the e-Pay portal with the UAE Central Bank platform for direct debit, which includes more than 14 banks.

The Dubai government allows customers to pay fees for more than 1,200 services through the e-Pay portal, which is managed by the Dubai Digital Authority and is subject to DoF supervision. Payments can be made through credit cards and direct debit cards from bank accounts, in addition to ‘noqodi’ e-wallet.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) today announced that since the beginning of 2021 it has accredited 34 new slaughterhouses to export red and white meat, as well as chilled and frozen meat products, to the UAE. This increases the total number of accredited slaughterhouses outside the country to 186.

Moreover, to guarantee the availability of widely diverse food products in local markets and ensure uninterrupted food supplies, MoCCAE has approved four new countries for exporting red and white meat to the UAE, including Malawi, Moldova, Belarus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The complete list currently features 65 countries.

“The increase in the number of accredited meat exporters aligns with the Ministry’s strategy to enhance the UAE’s food security and sustainability through strengthening international food supply chains. We are in constant communication and coordination with countries that meet our food safety regulations, with the aim of adding them to our list of approved meat exporters,” said Saif Al Shara, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MoCCAE.

In collaboration with its stakeholders, MoCCAE works relentlessly to boost the safety of imported foods, and protect consumers from harmful and adulterated foods through a host of regulations and processes covering all stages of the supply chain. These include implementing world-class food safety standards, issuing relevant laws, establishing intel exchange mechanisms with local and international entities, upgrading food safety control procedures, and raising public awareness about sound food-related practices.

To assess slaughterhouses seeking to export meat products to the UAE, a technical team verifies their compliance with applicable best health practices, food safety regulations, and manufacturing criteria.

MoCCAE regularly updates the list of accredited slaughterhouses in each country and the types of products they are allowed to export to the UAE. The list is published on the Ministry’s website and circulated to local food control authorities.

Given the high demand for meat and meat products in the UAE, their safety for consumption is a priority for MoCCAE.

In this context, the Ministry verifies the documents accompanying inbound consignments shipped by accredited slaughterhouses, such as halal certificates, certificates of origin, and health certificates. It also conducts physical inspections and laboratory tests on samples from shipments, and takes action against those who trade in food products that are non-compliant with food safety regulations or shariah rules.

Source: Emirates News Agency