Day: October 29, 2021

GLASGOW, The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Health and Prevention, in cooperation with Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, today reiterated that the country is dedicated to developing a health system resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The announcement comes in advance of the 2021 Global Conference on Health & Climate Change, being organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Global Climate and Health Alliance and other partners, and on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, UK, in November.

It responds to the call from the COP26 Presidency, currently held by the United Kingdom, to adopt initiatives towards building an environmentally sustainable health sector.

The announcement draws on the critical steps being taken by the UAE on climate and health. It also follows the nation’s offer to host COP28 in 2023 with a focus on making it as inclusive and action-oriented as possible. The nation adopts a holistic approach towards climate action and aims to help create a robust ecosystem that interlinks all key sectors, including healthcare, given the importance of climate on human wellness.

In 2019, the UAE undertook a national climate risk assessment for the health sector as well as launched the UAE National Framework for Action on Climate Change and Health 2019-2021 in partnership with WHO.

Under the Framework, the UAE National Committee on Climate Change and Health is currently coordinating the development of a sector-specific adaptation plan. The UAE is committed to updating the climate and health vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessment on a regular basis and ensuring that the findings continue to inform health policies and programmes.

Notably, the UAE will seek to strengthen its response measures as heat stress grows in an already hot and humid desert climate. Currently, the UAE offers a stipulated mid-day break to outdoor workers during peak summer months. The Abu Dhabi government has also introduced a ‘Safety in Heat’ programme that aims at reducing heat exposure at the workplace.

In addition to adapting the health sector, the UAE is also working towards reducing emissions from the health sector. The country is looking to carry out an assessment of baseline emissions covering supply chains, and develop an action plan for a low-carbon health system in line with national climate mitigation targets and Paris Agreement goals. UAE’s emission reduction efforts in the health sector and beyond are expected to yield air quality improvements and related public health co-benefits, thus offering win-win solutions for health and climate.

The steps the UAE is taking to develop the national health system, and prepare it for imminent and long-term climate impacts, will enhance its resilience and effectiveness in face of any future crises.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, As part of its efforts to enhance public awareness about its services, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has urged community members to take advantage of the electronic system for reporting healthcare malpractices in private facilities.

This comes as part of the ministry’s plans for developing E-services to improve the quality of the health system, innovate smart solutions, and adhere to quality systems.

The E-complaint system makes it easier to decide on medical and administrative complaints about private health facilities and their medical staff. The complainant can track the status and progress of his complaint until the outcome following the end of investigations.

The new system considers the ease of use, impartiality, confidentiality, and reliability of the information provided by the complainant, which improves the procedures to handle the complaint and obtain a reference to its data to enhance transparency and credibility.

Abeer Adel, Head of licencing section at MoHAP, said, “The e-Complaint system on malpractices by private medical facilities and their staff is part of MoHAP’s e-services package, to improve the quality of health system, innovate smart solutions, and adhere to quality systems, to develop services and contribute effectively to the development of public policies and strategies that lead to the happiness of community members.”

She added, “To that end, the ministry has provided a legislative umbrella that includes clear controls and requirements regarding medical practices in accordance with the Federal Decree-Law Concerning Medical Liability No. (4) of 2016.”

Adel hinted that the number of complaints is within the lowest global rates in developed countries, thanks to the strict standards and requirements followed by the ministry while issuing licences to private health facilities. Added to that are the periodic inspection and monitoring campaigns over the performance of these facilities, and their cooperation to ensure quality.

Dr. Hessa Ali Mubarak, Director of the Control, Audit and Inspection Department, said, “The new system is an essential asset to the existing procedures, as it eases the handling of complaints about all stakeholders to achieve the health compliance of private medical facilities.

“It allows all individuals, whether residents or visitors, to file a complaint on private health facilities together with all the supporting evidence if any,” she added.

She explained that a neutral medical committee will be formed to investigate the incident by the Medical Liability Committee, hear both parties and assess the medical procedures followed by the doctor.

“A report is then submitted to the Medical Licencing Committee at MoHAP to take action and address all parties concerned with the outcome of the complaint,” she added.

She further said that private health facilities are constantly monitored to ensure that there are no wrongdoings and to reduce medical negligence and errors, which lead to the issuance of penalties and fines and even the final closure.

Doctors who commit medical errors are usually referred to the Medical Licencing Committee and face penalties according to Federal Law No. (5) of 2019 Concerning the Regulation of Practice of Human Medicine Profession.

The Medical Liability Committee in charge of considering medical complaints will feature experts from various medical fields to decide on the complaints and issue reports that the complainant can appeal within 30 days of its issuance. In this case, the challenged reports will be referred to the Higher Medical Liability Committee for re-investigation.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Dubai Customs celebrated the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in October every year.

The event, organised annually by the Women’s Committee, aims to raise awareness on breast cancer and to educate those concerned about the disease, including early identification and signs and symptoms associated with breast cancer.

The initiative included free check-ups and consultations to help female employees be aware of the disease, and how to reduce its risks.

“Following the Committee’s strategic plans, we work hard to raise awareness among female employees on the importance of early check-ups and diagnosis,” said Maryam Khalifa Al Shamsi, Head of Women’s Committee at Dubai Customs. “The event involves training female employees on self-examination, which was explained by a doctor from Gargash Hospital.”

Participants’ vital signs were checked and at the end of the event, they received skin care packages and other gifts.

Source: Emirates News Agency