DHA Inaugurates First In-Patient Rehabilitation Unit In Rashid Hospital

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority inaugurated today the first in-patient rehabilitation unit at Rashid Hospital.

The eight-bed unit is the first of its kind in-patient rehabilitation facility to be set up in a government hospital in Dubai.

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority said, “Across the world, developed countries are facing a growing demand for rehabilitation facilities are we have responded to that demand. We have always had a fully-functional outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation unit, and now with this in-patient facility, we will further improve the level of rehabilitation services we provide our patients.”

Whilst the in-patient facility will be a new feature, the outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation unit was established in 1973 and today it receives over 100 patients a day. In 2008, the unit received the Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Science for being an outstanding medical department in the UAE.

Dr Suad Trebinjac, head of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rashid Hospital said, “The move to establish an in-patient unit is to provide rehabilitation services to those patients who have been treated for severe trauma cases such as spinal cord and brain injuries, but are not in a position to be discharged.

“We are talking about severely affected people. When these patients are brought into the hospital, the aim is to provide acute treatment and save their lives. Once that has been achieved, rehabilitation services are required to help restore their physical and cognitive functions so that they can lead a better quality of life.”

He said for most patients the physical and cognitive functions get severely impaired and rehabilitation helps restore these functions to the maximum extent possible.

Restoring physical functions includes standing, walking and to some extend improving body balance, whereas cognitive functions include memory, space disorientation and concentration, said Dr Trebinjac. “In addition to this we have to take into consideration their physiological needs because many of these patients suffer from depression and aggressive behaviour as a result of the depression.”

He said that these issues cannot be addressed in an acute hospital setting such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and requires rehabilitation. He added, “Rehabilitation has a two-fold purpose. It prevents severe complications which these patients are prone to and it also helps improve the patient’s quality of life.”

Dr Trebinjac said patients cannot go back easily into a home or societal environment immediately after suffering from major complications such as spinal injuries, stroke or even heart attack and rehabilitation prepares them to be as independent as possible. “The main aim is to restore their functions and make them ready to get back into society with their maximum functions restored. It does improve the quality of life for the patient and helps patients throughout their life.”

H.E. Qadhi Al Murooshid, Director General Of Dubai Health Authority Reinforces Government Support Of Healthcare Sector Through Downturn

His Excellency Qadhi Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority, today officially opened the inaugural Hospital Build Middle East Exhibition and Congress, reinforcing the government’s support of the development of healthcare projects in the UAE and the Middle East.Upon cutting the ribbon H.E. Qadhi Al Murooshid and his VIP guests toured the exhibition hall meeting senior management of some of the region’s best quality hospitals and healthcare service suppliers.Updated details of three new healthcare facilities in Dubai – Al Maktoum Hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital and Nad Al Hamr primary healthcare clinic – were revealed to the VIP party during the official opening at the Dubai Health Authority stand.The first edition of Hospital Build Middle East, supported by the Ministry of Health, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, Saudi Association for Health Informatics, and Oliva Health, was launched following the successful staging of Hospital Build Asia in Singapore in April, 2009.There are currently more than 100 hospitals in the planning stage across the Middle East and North Africa, and while so many industries are feeling the bite of the credit crunch, healthcare projects remain relatively unaffected because of this region’s governmental support and a long term commitment to healthcare infrastructure growth.“The response from the healthcare industries in the Middle East and Asia has been overwhelming,” said Simon Page, Group Director for Life Sciences at IIR Middle East, the organisers of Hospital Build.“Our research and communication with key healthcare industry leaders has shown that the healthcare sector is resilient to the current economic climate, not just in emerging markets such as the Middle East, but throughout the world.“As such, we plan to launch Hospital Build India in September 2010, to draw attention to the investment, construction and refurbishment of new and existing healthcare facilities in the sub-continent,” added Page.Organised by the team behind Arab Health, the region’s largest annual gathering for healthcare professionals, Hospital Build Middle East (www.hospitalbuild-me.com) is bringing investors, commissioners, backers and managers of major healthcare building projects together with planning, design, building, operations, management and refurbishment suppliers.Seven comprehensive conferences run alongside the exhibition, including the well established Hospital Design and Upgrade (HDU) event.The HDU conference, which has until now taken place during Arab Health, opens on 15 June, where delegates will address sustainable healthcare solutions through better design. Twenty five powerful sessions will highlight the latest thinking in clinical design.Internationally recognised industry speakers, such as Dr Moham Chellappa, President of Global Ventures at Johns Hopkins Medicine-International in the USA and Dr Philipp Vetter, Head of Strategy at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi, will address delegates during the conferences.Furthermore, the exhibition hosts the first Hospital Build Awards which recognise and celebrate excellence in the design, operation and management of healthcare facilities in the Middle East.Clemenceau Medical Center is the front runner in the Awards with five nominations, while the Best Hospital Design for a future project category is dominated by the UAE, with nominations for Al Ain Hospital, University Hospital in Dubai and Sheikh Khalifa Specialist Hospital in Rask Al Khaimah. The winners will be announced in a ceremony on Monday 15 June as part of the Hospital Design and Upgrade conference.Hospital Build Conference Programme
IT in Healthcare Forum 14-15 June 2009
Quality Standard and Hospital Accreditation 14-15 June, 2009
Imaging and Diagnostic Management 15 June, 2009
Hospital Design & Upgrade 15-16 June, 2009
Investment and Finance 15-16 June, 2009
Healthcare Management and Maintenance 15-16 June, 2009
Surgery Management 16 June, 2009Hospital Build Speakers include:
Mr A.R. Mohan, Managing Director, Saudi German Hospitals Group
Dr Wael Kaawach, CEO, Healthcare Development Holding Company
Dr Hazem Zagzoug, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Andalusia Holding Group
Dr Moham Chellappa, President, Global Ventures, Johns Hopkins Medicine-International
Dr Philipp Vetter, Head of Strategy, Health Authority Abu Dhabi
Dr Ashraf Ismail, Managing Director, Middle East, Joint Commission InternationalHospital Build Awards Short List
Best Hospital Design – Built
International Medical Center, Jeddah, KSA
Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
King Faisal University Teaching Hospital, Jeddah, KSABest Hospital Design – Future
Al Ain Hospital Project – SEHA, Al Ain, UAE
University Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Sheikh Khalifa Specialist Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, UAEBest Interior Design Award – Built
The City Hospital, Dubai, UAE
International Medical Center, Jeddah, KSA
Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, LebanonBest External Design Award – Built
Ras Al Khaimah Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, KSA
International Medical Center, Jeddah, KSABest Sustainable Hospital Design
NMC Speciality Hospital, Dubai, UAE
Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
NMC Speciality Hospital, Al Ain, UAEBest Healthcare Management Service Strategy
Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, KSABest Facilities Management Service Strategy
Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
NMC Speciality Hospital, Dubai, UAEBest Manufacturer of the Year Award
FDC International, Safat, Kuwait
ALP S.R.L., Milan, Italy
 

Noor Dubai Treats Thousands For Blindness In Niger

Noor Dubai, the UAE-based charity initiative focused on preventing and treating low vision and curable forms of blindness, today announced that it had successfully organized a cataract camp in one the world’s poorest and most remote areas. Noor Dubai is the first humanitarian initiative to provide large-scale cataract treatment in Maradi, the third largest city in the West African country of Niger.His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, CEO of Noor Dubai and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, said: “Noor Dubai cataract camp, which is organized in collaboration with Al Basar International Organization in Maradi, attracted thousands of patients who received medication, surgery and eyeglasses. The initiative has helped many critical cases and returned the gift of sight to people who had resigned themselves to a life of blindness.”HE Mr. Al Murooshid highlighted the case of 7-year-old Khadija, who had lost her eyesight to cataracts two years ago and was completely dependent on her desperately poor family, unable to attend school. The Noor Dubai team performed successful surgery on her left eye. One of five children, Khadija is now looking forward to rejoining her friends in class and one day supporting her family.Dr. Fatima Moussa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health in Niger, received the Noor Dubai team, which was headed by Emirati ophthalmologist Dr. Manal Taryam.Dr. Moussa said: “Niger is deeply touched by the kindness of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and we are honoured to receive the Noor Dubai initiative. Many people, young and old, have had their lives transformed thanks to the exceptional talents of the Noor Dubai team of medical professionals.”According to the UN, Maradi is one of the poorest and most remote parts of Africa. It lacks basic health care and treatable blindness and eye diseases are common.Mohammed Fakhruddein, Director of Noor Dubai Medical camp in Maradi, said: “The extreme poverty of the area is made worse by the fact that Maradi is so cut off. We traveled 700km by dirt road to reach Maradi as there is no air transport from the capital Niamey.”Unreliable transport, severe weather and the logistical problems involved in supplying critical medical equipment to remote areas are just some of the challenges faced by the Noor Dubai doctors. But Noor Dubai is committed to providing needy people with levels of eye care taken for granted in developed countries.Dr. Manal Taryam said: “Cataract surgery is performed using the latest technology in a process called ‘phacoemulsification’. Doctors replace the damaged lens of the eye with an artificial one, which helps the patient focus and obtain clear vision after surgery.”To date, Noor Dubai has restored the vision of more than 100,000 people in Pakistan, Sudan, Yemen, Chad, Niger and Dubai. The initiative has performed cataract surgeries on more than 10,000 individuals, and provided medication and corrective eyewear to more than 90,000 people.Noor Dubai is funding the foundation’s fight against river blindness and other preventable vision loss in Africa, and has so far healed more than 400,000 in Ethiopia, Mali, Cameroon and Uganda.HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, founded Noor Dubai in September 2008 with the aim of healing more than one million men, women and children around the world in one year.Noor Dubai is also working with international non-profit development agency ORBIS to provide patients with medical treatment, including cataract and trachoma surgeries, spectacles and training for primary health care workers, teachers and volunteer leaders from women’s groups. Additionally, nurses from district-level health centers will be trained to provide primary eye care and perform trichiasis surgery.Noor Dubai is also working with Al Basar International, a Saudi-based NGO focused on blindness prevention. Together, the agencies have led a series of highly successful free cataract camps focused on screening, diagnostics and corrective treatment across South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
 

Opening Of Joslin Diabetes Centre, An Affiliate Of The Dubai Health Authority

: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority today inaugurated the Joslin Diabetes Centre affiliate of the Dubai Health Authority located in the campus of Al Wasl Hospital.The Harvard-Affiliated Joslin Diabetes Center was established in Boston in 1898 and since then it has been a global leader in meeting the ever-changing challenges of diabetes. The opening of this centre in Dubai marks its presence in the gulf region, where diabetes is a pressing medical concern.His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Health Authority said: “I am pleased that the Dubai Health Authority has partnered with a centre that is known for its treatment methods and its capability to effectively treat and manage this disease. The centre will provide its expertise to treat the people in UAE who are suffering from this disease and its complications.”He added: “Another important aspect is the diabetic training program that the centre will provide healthcare practitioners in Dubai. We are glad that both patients and healthcare professionals will be able to benefit from the centre’s experience in providing frontline treatment and care to control and manage this disease.”H.E. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority said: “Diabetes is one of the major diseases that has affected a significant percentage of our population. The partnership with Joslin will ensure that we can utilize their competency to actively tackle this disease. This centre will be the first completely dedicated centre for diabetes care and prevention in the Emirate of Dubai and such a multi-disciplinary approach to managing the disease is indeed crucial at this point in time.”
The Affiliate will feature a state-of-the-art treatment facility for patients with diabetes and will focus on prevention, education, lifestyle management and podiatry, as well as early detection of complications for patients ages 18 and older. A pediatric division is planned for the future.The centre will mirror the same approach to treating and preventing diabetes as is followed in Boston and will be able to treat 100 patients a day.Clinicians at the Dubai centre include four U.S.-board certified endocrinologists, seven diabetes educators, a podiatrist, a physiotherapist and a mental health counselor.Dr Hamed Farooqi, M.D., Medical Director of the Joslin Diabetes Center Dubai said: “The new affiliate’s mission for combating the diabetes epidemic in Dubai involves educating both patients and physicians and using sophisticated technology to both deliver care and measure results.”“An important aspect of strategy, especially in the content of Dubai where a large percentage of the population are diabetics or are pre-diabetics, is setting up a diabetes training program for primary care doctors in Dubai.”He said this will help provide unified standards for the prevention of diabetes across the Emirate of Dubai. “We will also bring in a software platform to track quality of care, clinical outcomes, physician education and patient compliance.”He said the challenges of tackling the disease in this region are particularity high given the fact that Dubai has a high rate of obesity. “Type two diabetes is directly related to obesity and since Dubai also has a high incidence of childhood obesity, awareness and educative initiates will go a long way in combating the disease.”Dr Farooqi said that the opening of this centre has brought the most advanced diabetic care to the Emirate of Dubai and in future the centre will include management of gestational diabetes and pediatric endocrinology amongst the host of other features it currently provides for identifying and managing the disease. 

DHA Director General Inaugurates Royal Suites In Rashid Hospital

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority inaugurated today the luxury suites that have been built at Rashid Hospital.The five VIP and two royal suites have added a lavish touch to the healthcare services provided at the hospital.Established in 1973, the 475 bed hospital is known for the services it provides to the public and in recent years has also become the nerve-centre for all trauma and injury cases that are directed to its fully-equipped trauma and emergency centre.

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority said: “At DHA it is our vision that we should be able to provide from the very basic in healthcare to the more luxurious options for the people and visitors alike. Keeping in tune with the way healthcare is being provided today, the move will ensure that Dubai further establishes itself as a place for medical tourism.”He said the decision to provide these services was taken after the success of luxury suites that were built in Dubai Hospital and Al Wasl Hospital.Dr Shawqi Khoori, Director of Rashid Hospital said, “The manner in which healthcare is provided is changing and in recent times along with good quality healthcare, luxury is also being considered. In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for such services in the health sector and we are glad that we have been able to cater to this demand.”Dr Khoori said each suite has state-of-the-art medical equipment required for patients, a nurse, catering services as well as other facilities such as the internet.The VIP rooms have a patient’s room and another room for the family members whereas the royal suites have a dining room and a majlis as well.The ground floor of the hospital has two VIP suites and one royal suite for men. The VIP suites are priced at DH 2000 per day. The first floor has two VIP suites and a royal suite for women. In addition, the trauma centre has one VIP suite.
 

H. H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum visits with the German Health Minister at DHCC

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Dubai Healthcare City on Sunday, 2 November 2008, accompanied by H.E. Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of Dubai Health Authority and Ulla Schmidt, the German Health Minister.

Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed by members of the Tatweer and DHCC Leadership team, and he was briefed on DHCC’s plans for the future. Sheikh Mohammed and German Health Minister discussed ways of strengthening medical and health cooperation between UAE and Germany and ways of expanding these ties to include medical education and training, scientific and medical research and exchange of healthcare expertise.

Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE can benefit from Germany’s advanced technology and human resource experience in healthcare, just as Germany can benefit from the UAE’s experience in many healthcare development projects. Discussions focused around the role of DHCC and its contribution towards strengthening healthcare collaboration between the two countries, and His Highness expressed his support for cooperation between the UAE Ministry of Health and its German counterpart.

It was a very proud day for everyone at DHCC. His Highness’ visit endorses the vision of DHCC to be the healthcare center of excellence in the region.

Noor Dubai Restores Sight Of More Than 500,000 Men, Women And Children Worldwide In First Six Months

Noor Dubai, the UAE-based charity initiative focused on preventing and treating low vision and curable forms of blindness, has successfully treated more than half a million individuals across the Middle East, Africa and Asia in its first six months of operations.

The HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid initiative, administered by the Dubai Health Authority, announced its half-year progress today with the Lions Club International Foundation, the world’s largest volunteer service organization. Noor Dubai is funding the foundation’s fight against river blindness and other preventable vision loss in Africa, and has so far healed more than 400,000 in Ethiopia, Mali, Cameroon and Uganda.

Working with Middle East-based and international NGOs, Noor Dubai has also restored vision to more than 100,000 people across the Middle East and South Asia by providing cataract surgeries, medication and corrective eyewear.

His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, CEO of Noor Dubai and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, described the half-million mark as a significant milestone.

“HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, founded Noor Dubai in September 2008 with the aim of healing more than one million men, women and children around the world in one year. We are honored to have crossed the half-way mark in less than six months, thanks to our pioneering partners, and are confident of achieving our goal,” he said.

Al Murooshid praised the commitment and hard work of the Lions Club volunteers and staff to reach some of the world’s most remote areas and its poorest populations. The joint Noor Dubai-Lions programme will provide villagers with access to the powerful Ivermectin drug, which kills the parasite larva that causes river blindness.

Dr. Tebebe Berhan of the Lions Club in Ethiopia said: “The commitment and generosity of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Noor Dubai organization towards river blindness control is highly significant. The fight against this debilitating disease is critical not only in terms of public health but also for its positive effect on economic development and poverty reduction. The control of this disease thus positively impacts the health and vitality of individuals and their communities as well.”

Dr. Tebebe thanked HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for launching Noor Dubai and for extending its humanitarian services to hundreds of thousands of patients across Africa. Noor Dubai has improved the quality of life for these individuals and raised the productivity and effectiveness of their communities.

Noor Dubai, he added, is the only initiative worldwide that helps in fighting river blindness by providing curative treatments and preventive medication to people who live in the remote areas of Africa where there are no medical services.

According to the Lions Club Foundation, more than 18 million people in Africa are infected with insect-borne river blindness, with more than 300,000 left irreversibly blind. An additional 125 million people are at risk from infection.

Noor Dubai is also working with international non-profit development agency ORBIS to provide patients with medical treatment, including cataract and trachoma surgeries, spectacles and training for primary health care workers, teachers and volunteer leaders from women’s groups. Additionally, nurses from district-level health centers will be trained to provide primary eye care and perform trichiasis surgery.

Noor Dubai is also working with Al Basar International, a Saudi-based NGO focused on blindness prevention: Together, the agencies have led a series of highly successful free cataract camps focused on screening, diagnostics and corrective treatment across South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.