HEALTH SERVICES

Introduction

The provision of health services in the UAE dates back to 1943 when a hospital was opened in Dubai. By the time of the Federation in December 1971, there was a framework for a complete medical service with hospitals in the larger centers of population, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Dibba.

Clinics have been set up in many small towns, and medical services have been extended to villages by the opening of rural clinics and medical centers. Officially in 1974, the ministry of Health started providing health services to the people of the UAE.

The government continues to develop health services today with 15,361 employees of which 3,007 are UAE citizens .

In 1995, the government's budget for health was Dh 1,149.39 million. The government-funded health care system offers free medical treatment to all citizens and a subsidized service to expatriates.

There have been many positive results of the UAE's comprehensive health service. Infant mortality which stood at 145 per 1,000 live births in 1960 has been cut to 16.6 in 1995. Life expectancy in 1960 was 53 years while in 1995 it has increased to 71.4 years. In 1995, there were 1,227 people for every doctor and 454 for every nurse.

Preventive Medicine

If the curing of ailments has been an important role of the government's health programs, so too has been preventive medicine. The UAE has taken serious preventive measures by introducing health education programs or television and radio, in schools, at women's organizations, and at clinics in rural areas.

Preventive medicine has reduced childrens' diseases such as measles and mumps through immunization campaigns and vaccination of new born children. the UAE has also tackled AIDS by screening nationals and foreign residents.

The Ministry of Health presented various papers during the 42nd Conference of the World Health Organization's Regional Committee Meeting which was held in Lahore, Pakistan between the 1st and the 4th of October, 1996.

The UAE Health Education Administration presented papers concerning Preventive Medicine Awareness among teenagers, the schemes adopted to combat cancer, and the role of the World Health Organization in facing emergency cases and disasters.

In a meeting with the managers from the central administrations and representatives from the Department of Preventive Medicine in August 1996, the Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health who is also the general supervisor of the Preventive Medicine Department, Dr. Saood Kayed Al Qassimi, reviewed the planned curriculum. The curriculum covered topics including provisional reports on the eradication efforts of child paralysis in regional countries, the programs and efforts in the prevention of AIDS, a follow up report on health information and activity statistics, as well as one on discussions for battling and preventing the effects of smoking.

Following the directives of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to intensify the UAE's campaign against drugs, on October 15, 1996, the General Postal Authority made its contribution by issuing two new stamps carrying anti-drug messages. The slogan "Say Yes to Life", "No to Drugs", was printed on both stamps and was accompanied by images which warn against the consequences of drug use and abuse.

Hospitals and Medical Institutions

Psychiatric services were also offered in Dubai as early as 1975 at Rashed Hospital and in the capital Abu Dhabi, at the Psychiatric Hospital which opened in 1995. These hospitals have made a notable contribution to psychiatric services in the country and were designed as comprehensive centers for treating the mentally ill with a qualified staff offering clinical and social services to patients.

There are 51 hospitals in the UAE with a total of 6,357 beds. Nine of these hospitals are separately run by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior and by oil companies. The largest hospitals are in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but there are also public hospitals in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, and Fujairah. In addition, there are 126 health centers throughout the Federation. Over the past few years, a number of private hospitals and clinics have been established, thus providing the population with a broad choice of medical facilities and services.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, the Gulf Diagnostic Center (GDC) opened on July 28, 1996. The GDC has brought to the UAE the latest in medical technology and diagnostic procedures, accompanied by a team of highly skilled radiologists, pathologists, urologists, technicians and nurses. The Center is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, including the use of magnetic resonance imaging, cross sectional x-rays, isotopes, and nuclear medicine. It is also equipped with the latest machines to diagnose heart and cardio-vascular problems using ultra sound waves and echo. According to the Center's authorities, the Center has a complete laboratory that employs the services of professional technologists, facilitating the most precise tests available for immunity, infectious diseases, genetics, tissue typing and oncology. The GDC has access to the medical expertise of major medical institutions such as Mayo Clinic (in England) through the use of tele-medicine and Cleveland Clinic (in the USA), thus providing patients with the best consultations and diagnoses.

The opening of the Zayed Foundation for Research and Traditional Medicine was the Ministry of Health's most important project that was officially opened on December 2, 1996 in conjunction with the 25th UAE National Day. This center is the first of its kind in the Gulf, combining scientific research on natural medication, such as the breakdown of plants and herbs to study their active treatment components, along with medical treatment using natural medication and the production of natural herb and plant based pharmaceuticals. Popular medicine or medication using natural drug-free methods has always been an important form of treatment amongst UAE nationals and is part of Arab culture. This center not only provides a new dimension to medical and biological research, but also helps preserve the important customs of the land's forefathers, reviving old and traditional methods.

The Zayed Foundation for Research and Traditional Medicine covers an area of about 200,000 sq ft. and consists of two main Centers, the Treatment Center and the Research Center. The Treatment Center is divided into 2 departments, the Chemistry of Natural Products Department and the Biological Research Department, each of which is provided with the latest in medical equipment. The Foundation intends to build a large library housing scientific books and journals about traditional medicine and related topics in Arab and Islamic culture, along with an auditorium which will be used for conferences, symposia and lectures.

Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the support and encouragement of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Zayed Foundation for Research and Traditional Medicine will be the first institution, in the region, to combine medical research, treatment, and pharmaceutical production at the same time.

Ajman has also opened its new Khalifa Hospital. The 3 story hospital, which covers a total area of 215,500 sq. meters cost a total of Dh 80 million. Presently, there are 236 beds and the hospital contains an emergency unit, an intensive care unit, a radiology unit, a gynecology unit, a surgery unit as well as specialized outpatient clinics for dermatology, obstetrics, urology, and orthopedics.

September 1996 saw the official opening of the Fujairah Rehabilitation Center for the Handicapped, which is situated adjacent to the Fujairah Hospital. Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in order to provide the best possible care for the handicapped in the UAE, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs adopted the program and implemented it. The Center which covers an area of about 2200 sq. meters, and which cost Dh 6 million, generously donated by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa, is the first of its kind in the area and will greatly benefit all of those in need of handicapped rehabilitation, thus providing them with the opportunity of working on improving their skills and enabling them to serve their country in the best way they can. The Center has five major departments: the Department of Mental Development, the Department of the Physically Impaired and Paralytics, the Speech and Hearing Department, the Department of Visual Handicaps, and the Special Rehabilitation Department. It also contains wards for natural therapy, as well as a section for physical and musical education, a library and an art workshop.

Not only does the UAE take a strong interest in development of health facilities for its people within the country, but it has also made investments in this area overseas. Among these, the International Health Care Center in Glasgow, UK, is of particular importance. The 260-bed Grand Hospital, which forms part of the center, serves patients from different parts of the world and particularly the UAE.

Public Health

The UAE has taken firm action against the spread of AIDS. The Ministry of Health allocated Dh 4.5 million for HIV testing equipment following the UAE's decision to introduce mandatory AIDS testing for all residents over 18. Over two million screening tests have been carried out.

Close monitoring is also carried out at the country's twenty blood banks, both to check the health of donors, and to ensure that no cases of the disease are transmitted through blood transfusions. The UAE has also mounted a drive to maintain self-sufficiency in blood as part of its measures to prevent the spread of AIDS.

The drive includes seminars and booklets on the benefits of blood donations and of the dangers of AIDS. Several awareness campaigns have been held including one exclusively for women, in order to encourage them to donate blood. As a result, the number of donors increased considerably.

An outbreak of the Plague in India caused the UAE health authorities to place temporary restrictions on movement of people and goods between India and the Emirates. The action taken against air and sea traffic was in accordance with international guidelines.
The UAE also took effective measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus to the UAE from Zaire. Ministry of Health personnel were stationed at airports and safeguards were also taken at seaports in order to control passengers coming from Zaire and neighboring countries.

UAE Health Award

In May 1996, two Arab scholars became the first winners of the UAE-World Health Organization (WHO) Award, created by the UAE in 1993.

Education Minister and acting Health Minister Hamad Abdul Rahman al Madfa awarded $ 40,000 each to Dr. Adnan Abbas of Jordan and Dr. Khalifa al Jabir of Qatar who were selected for their excellent contributions to the improvement of health services.

The Award symbolized the importance which the UAE gives to scientific research and development as well as its respect for and appreciation of scientists and scholars who dedicate themselves to the welfare of mankind.

The creation of the UAE-WHO Award came as a result of the allocation of $ 1 million by H.H. President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan to the organization as an international annual prize to individuals or organizations distinguishing themselves in the field of health.

Al Madfa said the UAE would spare no effort in extending all possible assistance to the organization to achieve its health goals around the world.

The UAE Red Crescent Society

First established in 1983, the UAE Red Crescent Society serves as an organization committed to aiding the public and military health authorities in meeting the needs of war victims. The needy, the wounded and the orphaned are assisted.

The services provided include establishing hospitals in necessary locations, transporting the wounded and protecting their families. In times of peace, the UAE Red Crescent Society provides humanitarian relief effort wherever aid is required. The Society advocates the need for mutual human respect, understanding, and support in the name of humanity.

The UAE Red Crescent Society ranks the first amongst the Arab relief agencies and 7th amongst the top ten International Relief Agencies. According to the UAE Red Crescent Report, the totnumber of relief programs carried out in the year 1995 cost Dh 160 million.

Over the past six months of 1996, it has continued its welfare activities by sending funds and foodstuffs to different regions of the world with varying needs. Relief aid worth Dh 12 million has been sent to Arab countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Jordan.

A total of Dh 240,000 has been allocated to Arab Red Crescent Societies to help finance their aid projects, including Dh 130,000 to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society for its medical projects and Dh 92,000 to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society for purchasing medicine. On September 25, 1996, an additional Dh 95,680 ($26,000) was assigned for humanitarian relief for the Kurdish immigrants as well as other international development projects.

STATISTICS FOR 1995

HEALTH ESTABLISHMENTS BELONGING

TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

ITEM

NUMBER
PUBLIC HOSPITALS

29
GENERAL PHYSICIANS

1,290
SPECIALIZED DOCTORS

647
NURSES

3,838
HOSPITAL BEDS

4,346
AMBULANCES

178
PHARMACIES

185
PHARMACISTS

197
ASSISTANT PHARMACISTS

465
DENTAL CENTERS

8
UNITS IN DENTAL CENTERS

68
DENTISTS

181
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS

98
DOCTORS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS

360
NURSES IN PRIMARY HEALTH CENTERS

468
SCHOOL HEALTH CLINIC CENTERS

10
UNITS IN SCHOOL HEALTH CLINIC CENTERS

542
STUDENTS SERVED BY SCHOOL HEALTH CLINIC CENTERS

279,965
MATERNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS

10
UNITS IN MATERNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS

92

HEALTH SERVICES BELONGING TO OTHER

GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHMENTS

ITEM

NUMBER
GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITALS (POLICE & DEFENSE)

9
DOCTORS

722
NURSES

2,363
PHARMACISTS

162
HOSPITAL BEDS

1,673

HEALTH SERVICES BELONGING

TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR

ITEM

NUMBER
PRIVATE CLINICS

798
DOCTORS IN PRIVATE CLINICS

1,839
NURSES IN PRIVATE CLINICS

451
PRIVATE HOSPITALS

13
DOCTORS IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS

235
NURSES IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS

302
HOSPITAL BEDS

338
PRIVATE PHARMACIES

458
PHARMACISTS IN PRIVATE PHARMACIES

847
ASSISTANT PHARMACISTS IN PRIVATE PHARMACIES

391

 

 

 

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