Many opportunities are now available in the Abu Dhabi health sector due to the current capacity gaps, the prevalence of diabetes and other lifestyle diseases, ageing population and the local government’s endeavor to provide affordable access to quality healthcare. “There’s an opportunity at every front, whether (providing) mobile health applications or creating hospitals” said Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD). On the sidelines of 2nd Middle East World Health Care Congress (WHCC), Al Siksek revealed that 98% compliance on the emirate’s universal health insurance legislation essentially assures return of investments.

At the HAAD‘s 2010 health statistics, severe capacity gaps were identified in the intensive and critical care medicine, emergency care, neonatology and cardiology. More than 20 new medium to large hospitals and 23 new clinics will be required to meet the demand of 4.6 million projected populations by 2030, according to HAAD. Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court launched The WHCC Middle East 2011. Over 600 delegates from around the world, 25 dignitaries, health ministers and key decision-makers, and 92 speakers, representing 22 countries and five continents are attending the event.

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The cervical cancer is still the second cause for cancer-related deaths among women in UAE despite the availability of its effective vaccine. Dr Jalaa Taher, senior program manager at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) said during the 2nd National Women’s Health Conference “An average of 55 new cases are diagnosed every year across the UAE. And because the symptoms of cervical cancer like bleeding and discharges appear very late, and there is usually no way to assist a patient who has been diagnosed with the disease in these advanced stages”. This disease is caused by the Human Papilloma virus [HPV] that is transmitted sexually.

Dr Taher added “However, it takes nearly 20 years for the virus to make cells cancerous. This is why women must screen themselves every three to five years, especially as the cancer is 95 per cent preventable if detected early. In addition, young women who have not yet had intercourse can benefit from the vaccination that has proven to be effective against most forms of the disease”. Dr Ritu Nambiar, chief of service for Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Al Rahba Hospital revealed “Screening for the cancer involves a test known as the Pap smear, which indicates abnormalities in cells. While prevalence for the cancer in the Middle East is 4.8 among 100,000 of the population, it is reported at 9.9 per 100,000 people in the UAE, making it the third most prevalent cancer among women in the UAE. But the disease is fully preventable, so women should be made aware that they can be almost being fully protected against it if they get vaccinated and screened”.

“An awareness campaign about the disease would be launched by the HAAD in the first quarter of 2012. We have been vaccinating female 11th graders in the emirate since 2008. Free vaccinations are also available through Thiqa insurance for all Emiratis. We are now working to roll out these free vaccinations for expatriates next year” Dr Taher commented.

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A senior official in the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) announced that 70 new healthcare facilities and 32 pharmaceutical institutions have been licensed this year. This step ensures keeping up with the growing demand for medical care in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Zaid Al Siksek, chief executive officer of the HAAD commented “In addition, 125 other healthcare institutions and 33 pharmaceutical companies are awaiting initial approval for their licenses. In the next year, we will see growing contribution to healthcare in the emirate from the private sector. Critical gaps identified in oncological, pediatric and psychiatric care will also be filled”.

This statement was said during the fifth Abu Dhabi Medical Congress held in the capital today. It’s expected that the conference will attract more than 5,000 medical professionals from across the region. Nowadays, 800 healthcare institutions and 580 pharmacies are positioned across the emirate. According to the highest demand in services related to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular illnesses and cancers, more healthy services are required. Al Siksek responded to this call by saying that within the next three years a 600-bed capacity will be added.

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In order to have their health insurance schemes valid at all times, Abu Dhabi citizens submitted complaints to the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD). During a conference held yesterday, HAAD asked employers and sponsors to commit with the regulations of the health insurance law for the emirate. It was announced that the number of health insurance complaints recorded in 2011 decreased comparing to the last year.

Dr. Jamal Mohammad Al Kaabi, head of customer service and corporate communications at the HAAD said “The insurance scheme aimed to provide all residents with the best healthcare options. After looking into past violations of the law, HAAD has taken into account all necessary actions to provide the best possible healthcare access for all. We are also working to reduce the number of violations while also allowing for exemptions that will make healthcare more accessible”.

Due to the law, health insurance must be offered by employers and sponsors to all employees, their spouses and three children aged 18 years or lower. Employers’ trade licenses will not be renewed without these provisions. In case of not providing the insurance to one person; the responsible will pay Dh300 for every month and will pay the double if there are more than one person. Al Kaabi added “These penalties are aimed at ensuring that employers and sponsors provide insurance for all, and not to collect fees for violations”.

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During the last year, 825 patients had adverse reactions to drugs prescribed by physicians while 555 cases of medical errors were reported to the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD). Those errors may result due to human or system error. The usage of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs is the reason of adverse reactions, as HAAD reported. Due to 2010 statistics; physicians in the emirate prescribe antibiotics to patients 34% of the time even for a simple ailment as cold.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Elkhair, Head of Drugs and Medical Products Regulation at the HAAD commented “Antibiotics and painkillers are the two most prescribed medicines by physicians. In an attempt to educate healthcare professionals on the right prescription practice, the HAAD organized a workshop for healthcare professionals at 50 medical centers and clinics in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain”. With this program patient care and safety can be developed and assessment of risk-benefit of medicines, encouraging safe, rational and effective use can be raised.

“The program will cover all 542 clinics and centers by the end of this year. Subsequently, the program will be extended to community pharmacies and will finally be integrated to include a voluntary public reporting program (on any side effects) to the HAAD” added Dr. Abu Elkhair. After many cases of adverse reactions to drugs were reported to the HAAD, several actions were made such as issuing a warning to all healthcare professionals among the use of a particular pharmaceutical product, withdrawal or recall of the drug from the market, and changing labels or packaging of a product that may look similar to an existing product and could cause confusion when being dispensed.

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Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) has been announced by Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the Emirate’s healthcare regulatory body. Applying this system will decrease the potential risks that could threaten the health and safety of hospital staff, patients, contractors and visitors. EHSMS in each hospital has to be improved based on hazards and risks associated with their operations and submit the system to HAAD for approval.

Then each hospital must apply the system within its facilities and be regularly inspected and audited on EHSMS compliance. Another online application submitted by HAAD which is key performance indicators (KPI’s) including health and safety, infection control, environmental and sustainability KPI’s. This application is combined with enabling healthcare providers to register their EHSMS.

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A senior official revealed that the torturous sun, heat and humidity equally affect Abu Dhabi Construction workers, whether laborers or site managers. He explained that like other Middle Eastern countries, outdoor workers in the UAE, are exposed to huge heat stress during the summer when the temperature rises to more than 45 degrees Celsius and humidity exceeds 90 %. “Safety in the Heat Program” is a program launched by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) to decrease cases of heat-related illness. This program offers educational material to help employers, managers and supervisors in addressing control measures in workplaces where workers are exposed to excessive heat in summer.

3,017 cases of heat-related illness are officially announced in Abu Dhabi in 2010. Some doctors said “Heat-related injuries are as dangerous and deadly as any other injury. But they are preventable with precautions”. A HAAD official mentioned “Training and awareness are key components in preventing such a danger. From 500 cases on Saadiyat Island the number dropped down to nine with awareness and prevention”. Evaporation of sweat is a self-mechanism in the body to cool down and to get rid of heat. Sometimes the body can not do this mechanism especially in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun, so that the body temperature rises. Losing fluids and overheating on the other hand may cause a rash and put one’s health and safety at risk. Heat illness maybe resulted also by dehydration.

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Dozens of products nowadays in Abu Dhabi are prescribed as dietary supplements although containing a hidden prescription drug or compound that has not been adequately studied in humans. Those products are being sold across various herbal or natural product shops. Dr Mohammad Abu Al Khair, Head, Pharma/Medicine and Medical Products Regulation Section – at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), told Gulf News that Hydroxycut, Zein Alatat slimming capsules, Seven Slim, Natural Max slimming capsules, and Payouji tea and other slimming products have been withdrawn from shelves until now. Abu Al Khair said “Most of these products were found to be sold on shelves for many years, especially across herbal or natural products shops. They are rarely found in pharmacies”.

“Sibutramine” — the drug substance which was banned last year, is found in most of these medicines. Also, phenolphthaline (the chemical substance that was banned from being used in medicine) was found. Several regulatory authorities like MHRA, FDA detected many products contain high levels of heavy metals like lead or arsenic. Dr Al Khair added “Any time we find a product that may harm public health; we will withdraw it in cooperation with other government authorities. Unfortunately, dozens of these products are used by the public and every day we see new products in the market. The issue is that these products are being touted as dietary supplements but actually contain hidden prescription drugs or compounds that have not been adequately studied in humans”.

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