Middle East Healthcare News » Hospitals

Makkah Hospitals Are Getting Ready for Haj Season

ICTFH — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:47:46 +0000

According to Dr. Khalid Obaid Zafar, Director General of Health Affairs of the Makkah region and a member of the Central Haj Committee, Makkah is hosting three million pilgrims coming for Haj this year. So the hospitals and the medical staffs are getting ready for this great event.

Dr. Zafar said in an interview that the hospitals are prepared with all the facilities, such hospitals include: King Abdul Aziz Hospital (272 beds), King Faisal Hospital (207 beds), Ibn Sina Hospital (200 beds), Maternity and Pediatric Hospital (300 beds), Hera General Hospital and Noor Specialist Hospital (526 beds in total). Also, there are five specialist centers opened for 24 hours, for curing people with disabilities, acute kidney cases, poison cases, and a very special laboratory for all kinds of medical tests.He also added that, this year the government’s medical plan includes the opening of seven hospitals, available for 24 hours a day over the five days of Haj, in Mina and Arafat. In Mina, there are the Mina General Hospital, Mina Bridge Hospital, Mina Valley Hospital, and Mina New Street Hospital; while in Arafat the hospitals include Arafat General Hospital, Mountain of Mercy Hospital and Nimrah Hospital.
Beside these hospitals, there are 42 clinics located in different places in Mina and Arafat and a number of ambulances ready for any emergency. In case of any of the pilgrims needs a special treatment, Noor Specialist Hospital is available.

Hospitals in Makkah, have received orders from the ministry of Health, to carry the pilgrims who need treatment to Arfat in their Ihram in the ambulances, and to be sure that no one misses any of his duties during Haj, as Arafat is considered one of the highest rituals in Haj.

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Visiting hours in Jeddah’s hospitals extended during Eid al Fitr

admin — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:12:25 +0000

Visiting hours during Eid Al Fitr allowed in the hospitals in Jeddah were extended. The announcement was made by Dr. Sami Badawood, Health Affairs Department Director, during his visit to several public hospitals in the city. Dr. Badawood mentioned that the visiting hours were to be extended during Saturday, Sunday and Monday to be from 10 am to 12 mid-day and from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Dr. Badawood added that children are allowed to visit their hospitalized relatives on the holly occasion. A number of hospitals were visited by Dr. Badawood such as Al-Thagher, King Fahd, King Abdul Aziz, and Al-Amal. He also visited various patients wishing them recovery. On the other hand, the Health Ministry prohibited the entry of food and drink items coming from outside the hospital in order to ensure the safety of the patients. However, several drinks were permitted several types of drinks such as tea, coffee and drinking water.

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UAE Health Ministry Prepares to Open Rashid Diabetes Center on May

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:21:44 +0000

H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Health, visited Rashid Center for Diabetes and Obesity in Ajman in preparation of its official opening next May. He was accompanied by Dr. Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies, Hamad Taryam Al Shamsi, Director of Ajman Medical Zone, Dr. Enas Kamel Loazi, Director of the Center and other officials.

Minister of Health lauded the efforts of the team members who are working on the final procedures for opening the center which will provide treatment and care for diabetes and obesity patients through following the latest therapeutic and surgical methods.

Then, he called all the center’s team members to follow the latest steps before the full operation of the center for the purpose of making such centers an actual addition to the health care sector in the UAE.

Further, Dr. Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies, Chairman of the Higher National Committee for Fighting Diabetes, explained that the ministry aims for fighting and controlling the spread of diabetes and eliminating its dangers and complications. He pointed out that Rashid Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research has been constructed and equipped to assist diabetes patients not only through direct treatment but also by continuous medical education and obesity surgical interventions.

“The center will be supported to reflect the educational and clinical experiences of the ministry’s doctors and nurses. The Ministry of Health aims for offering various educational programs to raise the quality of services provided to the patients in the ministry’s hospitals and primary health centers. It also educated patients through specialized programs with the participation of specialized nutrition nurses, world-class diabetes specialists and psychologists, who will be able to apply the modern methods of treatment, cover all the needs of patients and educate them an integrated medical team,” he aaded.

He concluded that the ministry is particularly interested in fighting diabetes confirming that Rashid Center will work to improve the care provided to diabetes and obesity patients leading to excellence in all areas of patient care and treatment of their complications, patients’ health education, development of continuous medical learning inside and outside the center through the Swedish administration.

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Philips Launches A Wall of Light to Lessen the Tension

ICTFH — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:19:02 +0000

Philips Electronics launched an LED-based wall of light designed with a holistic approach in order to lessen the tension, anxiety and stress young patients typically feel when entering a hospital environment.

The Imagination Light Canvas is a light wall, 3 metres by 1.5 metres, and is simply operated via a standard PC giving staff the flexibility to select from a menu of interactive and static scenes.

Deliberately positioned opposite the main entrance to the renal unit’s reception area, it is the first thing that visitors see on arrival, thereby creating immediate distraction, interest and curiosity.

“Going into hospital for treatment brings out worry and concern in most people never mind in the young children we deal with,” said Derick Harrison, capital project manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

“Therefore, we wanted to create an environment which is uplifting, far removed from the clinical, sterile atmosphere usually associated with hospitals,” he added.

Children cannot help but be drawn to it engaging with the vibrant, ever changing shapes as they dart and dance across the screen.

Eye-catching for youngsters coming to the unit for the first time, the Light Canvas also offers welcome entertainment for patients who have to be kept on the ward for any length of time.

The programme options even include the potential to create simple games so that two or more children can play together. Kidney disease is incredibly disruptive to daily life and visits to hospital can seem endless, therefore, having the opportunity to play and have fun is a welcome relief for children, and of course their concerned parents.

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Rehabilitation centre in need of Emirati nurses, psychologists

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:22:20 +0000

Dubai Recruiting Emirati nurses and psychologists was one of the main priorities at the 10th edition of Careers UAE as there are currently not enough medical professionals in addiction rehabilitation centres.

“Even though our organisation was opened in 2002, we managed to employ our first Emirati nurse only a few months ago,” said Fatima Mohammad Al Hamedi, psychologist at the Abu Dhabi-based National Rehabilitation Centre.

“Most of the women are scared to join rehabilitation centres because they think that the people we treat are criminals. But we are giving them the message that this is not the case,” Fatima said. This is the first time the centre has participated in the career fair, which ended yesterday.

The National Rehabilitation Centre currently has 28 beds. However, by the end of 2014, it aims to be a full-equipped facility with over 200 beds, as well as an outpatient unit, a day care centre, a female unit and a criminal justice unit.

Applications

The Rehabilitation Centre received over 1,000 applications from university students and medical professionals, and officials said they hope to receive more applications on the last day of the career fair. “Through participating at the fair, we want to recruit everybody with a medical background, ranging from social workers to nurses and psychologists.”

The centre receives voluntary patients who join the centre on their own will or by the insistence from family members and hospitals, in addition to patients who join either by a court order or a police referral.

Patients at the centre go through several phases, where initially they are assessed in order to be provided with the necessary required service that includes a detoxification programme and psychological intervention. The rehabilitation programme also involves daily activities, physical exercises, and several programmes to enhance their skills to return to the social mainstream.

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Government plan is successful in combating bird flu

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:22:32 +0000

The government plan in combating bird flu has proven successful, Minister of Health Hatem El-Gabaly said, explaining that the death rate from the H1N5 virus has substantially decreased and citizen awareness has increased.

El-Gabaly was in parliament Tuesday to respond to several investigation requests about the effectiveness of the precautionary measures taken against bird flu, which include the culling of poultry suspected of having the virus.

One-hundred and eight cases of bird flu have been reported in Egypt; 75 recovered and 33 died, the minister said. Accordingly, Egypt’s H1N5 death rate stands at 6.3 percent, lower than the global rate of 7.61 percent, the ministry said in a statement.

“The government has been dealing with the issue with complete transparency and sincerity, as well as a commitment to giving the highest quality treatments at the hospitals,” the minister said.

Inspection committees are currently going around the country inspecting bird farms in different governorates which led them to discover bird flu centers, according to the Information and Decision Support Center. The labs affiliated with the ministry have so far tested 11,565 cases suspected of bird flu.

On the other hand, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement on Wednesday saying that bird flu outbreaks that have killed seven people in several countries so far this year which shows that the virus remains a threat to humans.

“The newly confirmed human and poultry cases of avian influenza this year are a reminder that the virus poses a real and continuous threat to human health,” they stated.

“So far this year, authorities monitored 21 human cases of bird flu from Egypt, Vietnam and Indonesia, including seven deaths,” WHO said.

Last week, the Ministry of Health has announced one death from bird flu, a four-year-old boy from the Beni Suef, raising the death toll from the virus to 33 since it first appeared in Egypt in 2006. It was the sixth death from bird flu since the beginning of 2010.

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Approval a must for dialysis unit

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:09:45 +0000

Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah announced Monday that applications for setting up new dialysis units in private hospitals should go through a high committee appointed by the minister before they get formal approval for license from his ministry.

There are more than 3,000 dialysis machines in 177 dialysis units, including 30 in private health clinics and hospitals, throughout the Kingdom. The minister had made the announcement according to Chapter 4, Article 15 of the executive regulations laid out for the private health institutions.

The minister said that new dialysis units would be licensed only if they comply with the technical requirements of the new committee. The committee will comprise nephrologists from Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases, the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) and officials from the Department of Medical Licenses at the provincial health directorates, among others.

Al-Rabeeah said the committee would ensure that the new units would fulfill the requirements of the Ministry of Health, which is keen on providing quality health care. It is anticipated that the new units will ease the congestion of renal failure patients in public hospitals.

Around 36.5 percent of renal failure cases in the Kingdom were caused by increase in blood sugar levels or diabetes.

According to Al-Rabeeah, the government has been spending more than SR1.5 billion annually on the treatment of kidney patients. The number of renal failure patients in the Kingdom would increase from 11,000 to 15,000 by 2015, he said. About 500 million people around the world suffer from kidney diseases. “These figures emphasize the need for enlightening the public on kidney diseases,” the minister said.

Al-Rabeeah said the national program for comprehensive health care, which was presented to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah last September, would bring about a major shift in health-care services in the Kingdom, establishing the principle of equality and justice and improving the quality of service. He emphasized his ministry’s efforts to improve services at centers for the treatment of renal-failure patients.

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Health insurance for citizens to be introduced this year

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:28:51 +0000

A law on health insurance for citizens will be passed during the current parliamentary term and the government has concluded a three-year study of the bill, officials said. “It’s high time it was approved to serve citizens and reduce the burden shouldered by the health sector in general,” stressed officials. Furthermore, officials emphasized that the current private sector’s infrastructure comprising various specialized private hospitals and clinics were fully capable of providing adequate health services to both citizens and expatriates, reported Al-Rai. “Citizens have paid around KD 3 million in health insurance through special subscriptions or through the government or private institutions they worked for.

They also paid a lot in health insurance in order to obtain tourist visas to visit the US and European countries. We do have fully qualified and specialized private hospitals that are fully capable of providing various kinds of treatments to health insurance holders,” officials explained.

Meanwhile, the cabinet has reiterated its commitment to presenting a united front against any grilling motion filed against any of its members in the upcoming period. The cabinet’s statement follows reports suggesting that at least four interpolation motions are currently being prepared against ministers.

The cabinet is also intent on maintaining its progress in implementing its development plan and will not allow political tensions to affect its efforts, reported Al-Qabas. There is a widespread feeling that while the reports of some interpolation motions are indeed correct, others are rumors being used to put pressure on ministers to carry out a cabinet reshuffle to force information minister and minister of oil Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah from his post after he survived a recent grilling, as well as a subsequent parliamentary no-confidence vote.

The cabinet will be studying all the points raised during Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah’s recent grilling in order to take the necessary steps, said State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Roudhan Al-Roudhan, adding that it will also review the events that took place during the no-confidence vote session in order to devise new strategies to deal with political blocs in the future so as to gain their support and avoid further interpolations.

Meanwhile, the delay in issuing this year’s annual government report will lead to additional delays in deciding the state budget due to the connection between the report and the parliamentary finance committee’s budget schedule, meaning that any amendments to the report will necessitate making corresponding amendments to the budget.

On a separate issue, MP Dr. Faisal Al-Mislem revealed that the Development and Reform Bloc is to ask the parliamentary women’s affairs committee to commit itself to presenting a report on the civil and social rights bill, accusing the committee of obstructing the passing of the legislation.

MP Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak, a member of the joint parliamentary committee assigned to discuss the bill, denied reports that the committee had reached agreement with the cabinet during Tuesday’s session on adopting the bill, claiming that the cabinet still had reservations over the proposed legislation.

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A Healing Experience” Concert Lecture for its Patients

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:28:47 +0000

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic hosted the Music and Medicine Concert Lecture today March 29, at 1:30 pm in cooperation with Cleveland Clinic Arts and Medicine Institute and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). More than 60 patients, visitors and doctors attended the event which took place in SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The goal of hosting the Music and Medicine Concert at SKMC is to bring the arts and music to the bedside which assists in the healing process. Dr. Tej Maini, CEO of SKMC’s patients and visitors. Studies have shown that music has positively impacted health and wellness throughout time and across cultures.”

“Our patient population at SKMC is multicultural; we receive patients from more than 60 different nationalities”, Dr. Maini added. “Last year’s concert was successful; our patients have enjoyed it and benefited from it, and we intend to present this annually in corporation with the Arts and Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic and ADMAF.”

Kamal Chémali, M.D., Cleveland Clinic physician and a course director of the Concert-Symposium said, “Cleveland Clinic believes that healing should begin the moment a patient walks through our doors. New research shows that the arts are good medicine – providing comfort, elevating the spirit, and affirming life and hope. When used as a therapy, music can provide pain relief and reduce anxiety. The arts, when combined with outstanding patient care, create an environment that encourages healing”.

“The healing, nurturing effects of music and art cannot be overestimated. Through events such as the Music and Medicine Concert Lecture at the Abu Dhabi Festival, we can see for ourselves the happiness, comfort and reassurance music brings to those who are in pain or distress,” said H.E. Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation Founder and Director.

The Arts & Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic is the catalyst for integrating the arts in to the practice of medicine at Cleveland Clinic — from art and music therapies to performing arts medicine.

The Institute’s Executive Director, Iva Fattorini, M.D., explains her vision for the Institute as how her new programs are influencing Cleveland Clinic physicians and patients. She said “Our mission is to enhance the Cleveland Clinic experience of patients, visitors and employees through the arts, to practice and investigate the use of the arts in healing, and to build community around the arts, health and medicine.” The Arts & Medicine Institute creates and manages programs that: infuse the medical environment with the energy and vitality of the arts; contribute aesthetic beauty to Cleveland Clinic; expand and establish new programs that pair the arts with medical treatment and discovery; pursue research studies that support the relationship of art with medicine; and encourage arts and cultural activities at Cleveland Clinic.

Prisca Benoit, professor at the Superior Conservatoire of Paris and concert pianist, who performed for the patients at SKMC said, “I am always particularly moved from within when I play piano with doctors for patients. It is a completely different experience than in the concert hall that gives a new meaning and a broader dimension to our mission as musicians. Performing for patients is a truly rewarding experience.”

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Al Ain Hospital revamps ICU and adds facilities

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:28:36 +0000

Al Ain Al Ain Hospital has completed the redevelopment of its 14-bed intensive care unit (ICU) and has added three new operating theatres, promising the best possible medical service to the people living in the oasis city.

The hospital has also commissioned new clinical imaging diagnostic machines, including a CT scanner for the radiology department.

“These new facilities and services set a standard that is comparable to some of the best health-care institutions in the world,” said a spokesperson of the hospital.

George Jepson, chief executive of the hospital, said the completion of these facilities is part of a larger programme to redevelop the hospital into one of the best health-care institutions in the region and beyond. “This is a crucial milestone for us,” he said.

The new ICU is spacious and modern. It is comprised of 14 enclosed and private cubicles, including two paediatric units, two isolation units and one VIP room. The unit will be headed by a dedicated expert who will be assisted by a multi-disciplinary team of medical experts.

The new operating theatres will also provide specialist operations such as joint replacements and surgeries for sports injuries, Jepson said.

“The most important innovation in the operating theatres is their positioning as a trauma centre, which will have a specialised team of medical experts from all crucial disciplines under a trauma leader to cater to critical cases,” said Jepson.

Professor Stefan Marlovits, director of Trauma Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and deputy medical director of Al Ain Hospital, said the trauma centre has extreme importance since 20 per cent of the deaths in the UAE occur due to accidents.

Al Ain Hospital is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for all the curative activities of the public hospitals and clinics in the capital.

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