Middle East Healthcare News » RIS

RIS/PACS Solution is now Available in HMC in Doha

ICTFH — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:23:58 +0000

A multi-site Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) was implemented in Doha by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). This system allows physicians to access their patients’ x-ray image records instead of using traditional X-ray films on their screens at the touch of a button. A better understanding of the patient’s imaging records becomes more accessible with the RIS/PACS solution.

“The new system will facilitate improved diagnosis and patient care capabilities. Imaging is becoming increasingly integral to preventive and treatment management practices. The system allows for easy access of comprehensive diagnostic information by physicians and other care providers, which enables faster patient management decision making. We placed great emphasis on not only implementing the technology but ensuring relevant training for all clinicians” said Dr. Ahmed J Omar, Acting Chairman of Radiology at HMC.

Mr. Abdullah Al Emadi, Executive Director of Health Information System (HIS) at HMC commented “Key members from the Clinicians Group, Radiology and Health Information Systems departments worked closely together to ensure the successful completion of this very large and complex project. I am delighted that we were able to roll this system out throughout seven hospitals in less than a year and a half – this is a record achievement in the global healthcare sector and reflects the achievement of a key milestone in HMC‘s strategic IT plan”.

No matter where the x-rays images and scans have been captured, the new system will record them electronically and will be viewed on any PC across HMC and this process is specified for healthcare environments. Utilizing this system creates flexibility and interoperability between different imaging devices in addition to a stable infrastructure enhancing efficiency and improving the quality of patient services within HMC.

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Health Ministry Asks Pharmaceutical Companies to Appoint Pharmaceutical Vigilance Officer

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:03:15 +0000

UAE Ministry of Health stated that all pharmaceuticals and medicine companies registered at the Registration and Pharmaceutical Drugs Department will be required to appoint a pharmaceutical vigilance officer in their organizations.

Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licenses at the UAE Ministry of Health the decision, explained that all the above mentioned companies are requested to appoint a pharmaceutical vigilance officer who must be a doctor, pharmacist, drugs specialist or toxicologist. This officer must have a practical experience in monitoring and following up the reports of drugs side effects, clinical studies and clinical pharmacology.

Dr. Al Amiri said: “All candidates must provide their approved documents including qualifications, experiences, contact information, fax, mobile, phone and email addresses. We addressed all pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical companies to provide their pharmaceutical vigilance and risk management plans at the time of registration or renewal.

The plans include medical products, pharmaceuticals, innovative pharmaceutical products containing active substances registered for the first time, medium or high risk products in addition to other products that have been included in previous circulars by the Ministry of Health or international drugs control association in terms of their safety and side effects”. Dr. Al Amiri explained that the decision demanded all the companies to provide the ministry with an updated safety list of their pharmaceutical and medical products. Such reports must include a yearly detailed report of the medical products that have been registered between 6 months-1 year, an annual record of the products that have been registered between 1-3 years and a progress report every 3 years for the products that have been registered for more than 3 years.

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Osteoporosis Indicated in One Third of Older Men Undergoing Treatment in Hospital

admin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:02:18 +0000

In a study conducted by Dr. Haider M Al Attia, Consultant Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Al Noor Hospital, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, tested the density of the femur bone in140 predominantly Arab male patients aged 55 years and over – who were attending hospital for the treatment of other conditions – to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in this group.

The research found that between 22 percent of men aged 55 plus, and 34 percent of those over the age of 64.5 years, were suffering from the bone condition, which increases the risk of bone fracture and the likelihood of disability and death.

“Osteoporosis is a hidden disease in men, but from my own study you can see that the condition could be affecting a significant number of older Arab males in the UAE. The majority of these men will not even know they have the disease and may already have fractures that can lead to serious disability, and an increased risk of death,” Dr. Al Attia warned.

“Despite osteoporosis being more common in women, our study highlights the fact that if you are a male with osteoporosis you are as likely to suffer from a fragility fracture as a female patient. Early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis is essential, because after one fracture there is a five to 10-fold increase in the risk of suffering a second fracture within one year, and a two-fold increase in risk of hip fracture, with a resulting rise in the chance of suffering from disability and death,” Dr Al Attia said.

“Doctors in the UAE have all kinds of medications within accessible reach which they can use to treat osteoporosis, and men should be benefitting from these treatments, as well as women. Osteoporosis should always be investigated when caring for elderly patients, and it is vital that health providers and health educators in the UAE start to raise awareness of this debilitating disease among men,” he added.

However, there are a number of other factors which increase the risk, including treatment with glucocorticoid steroids, anticonvulsants, Vitamin D deficiency, chronic liver and kidney disease, smoking, excess alcohol intake, low levels of androgens, such as testosterone, and low levels of oestrogen.

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GCC to Hold “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”

ICTFH — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:43:00 +0000

The “World Day for Safety and Health at Work”, will be held on April 28th under the theme “Emerging risks and new patterns of prevention in a changing world of work”.

H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Ahmad Khoja, Director General of the Executive Board of Health Ministers’ Council for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States said in a statement that the main objective of celebrating this day is to promote safe and healthy work, moreover it is essential part of the world strategy for safe and healthy occupations launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
He commended GCC efforts in improving and enhancing occupational health and safety in member countries, and establishing Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, which aims to promote the health of workers and improving occupational health services in member countries.

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Ruler Of Ajman Awarded The Graduates Of Gulf Medical University

ICTFH — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:58:36 +0000

Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Member of the Supreme Council UAE and Ruler of Ajman along with H. E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health – UAE Awarded Degree Certificates to 65 GMU Graduates during the sixth Convocation held on 19th April 2010 at Kempinski Hotel, Ajman.

Also present were H. E. Sheikh Dr. Majid Bin Saeed Al Nuaimi, Chairman Rulers Court – Ajman, UAE, H. E. Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health – South Africa, Mr. B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, Chairman – BA Group, India as the Guest of Honour, H. E. Sanjay Verma, Consul General of India in Dubai, H. E. Amjad Ali Sher, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, Mr. Mohammed Daoud , First Secretary – Charge D’Affaris, Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and Mr. Hamidullah Habibi, Second Secretary, Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, H.E Mr. Manal Abdeldayem, Consul General of Egypt and H.E Mr. Joerg Herrara, Acting Consul General of Germany are some of the few VVIP Guests to be present for the event.

49 graduates from MBBS, of which 20 are male Graduates and 29 female graduates and 16 Graduates of BPT, of which 2 are male graduates & 14 are female graduates will be present to receive their Degree Certificates during this ceremony conducted by the President Mr. Thumbay Moideen in presence of the Provost Prof. Gita Ashok Raj. Out of 65, 14 graduates are UAE Nationals, 5 graduates are from the GCC countries, 9 from other Arab countries, and 37 from other parts of the world. The graduation certificate of Gulf Medical University will be attested by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE and accepted throughout the world.

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SKMC to Hold Public Lecture About Obesity

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:21:53 +0000

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) will hold the third monthly public lecture on Obesity under the title of “Walking Away from Obesity” on Tuesday evening in the auditorium of SKMC.

The lecture will comprise of a presentation and then a question and answer session. It will cover all essential topics in fighting obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Diseases related to obesity will also be discussed.

The lecture will be presented by Dr. Abdelrahman Nimeri, Director of the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute – Abu Dhabi of SKMC and Dr. Mohammed Al-Haddad, Specialist Surgeon at the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute – Abu Dhabi of SKMC.

The lecture aims to raise awareness regarding the many issues related to obesity and provide attendees with information regarding the dangers of obesity. Further, it will be an opportunity for those who may be considered to be morbidly obese people to find out about some of the medical and surgical treatments options.

In addition, the physicians will explain to the audience the potential complications of bariatric surgery.

Dr. Nimeri stated, “Attendees might also have the opportunity to meet some of the patients who had a bariatric surgery or is being evaluated to have one. The invitation is directed to the public from all ages, and we highly encourage them to attend this gathering to help raise their awareness about healthy lifestyles and obesity prevention.”

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HAAD Announces Health Insurance Cases of Fraud And Abuse

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:21:50 +0000

The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD) announced that 38 health insurance violation cases, including suspected cases of fraud, forgery and abuse had been uncovered during inspection visits conducted by the Audit Section of the Health Insurance Regulation Department at HAAD.

HAAD issued fines ranging from AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 per violation to clinics, pharmacies, and medical professionals. Violations included claiming for medical services not provided to patients, replacement of prescription medications with non prescribed drugs, medical and non medical consumables, and non medical items. A further violation included employers and/or sponsors not providing continuous health insurance coverage to their sponsored employees who are working and/or residing in the Emirate.

In addition, HAAD referred certain violations to the Abu Dhabi misdemeanor court, which issued a decision to fine Dr. B.K. in M.D. clinic the amount of AED 10000 for receiving the value of treatment services that were not provided to the patient and forging documents. The court also sentenced two defendants for a period of two months imprisonment followed by deportation from the country for the issuance of forged health insurance cards. The court also ordered destruction of the forged cards as a result of their fraudulent acts against insurance companies in order to issue health insurance cards based on forged documents.

Company I.A.I. was fined AED 90,000 and company M.N were fined AED 70,000 by HAAD for underwriting health insurance policies which cover less medical services than is mandatory under the policies, non-compliance with health insurance policies, non-compliance with the policies terms and conditions, For non-adherence with health insurance basic product rates approved by HAAD, making changes to these health insurance policies, providing false and misleading information when applying for a license, and for non-compliance with the rules & principles in marketing health insurance policies.

HAAD also decided not to renew the license of a Third Party Administrator M. N. due to repetitive irregularities & violations such as working in areas beyond the granted license, the existence of conflict of interest between the company and providers of health care services and violation of undertaking made by the company when applied for license and practicing activities not licensed for in the field of Health Insurance Scheme.

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Saudi Arabia records 200 kidney cancer cases per annum

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:22:29 +0000

The Kingdom registers 200 cases of kidney cancer per year, most of them in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, according to Ashraf Abu Samra of the Saudi Urological Society.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recent Saudi Conference on Urological Tumors in Sharm Al-Sheikh in Egypt, Abu Samra said that studies showed a growth in kidney cancer worldwide, but particularly in the Arab World.

“It’s important that persons with a family history of kidney cancer inform their doctors so that they undergo the necessary periodical tests,” he said.

Abu Samra, who was chairing the conference, described the causes of kidney cancer as depending on “lifestyle and profession”.

“Smoking, for example, increases the chances of developing cancerous kidney cells by approximately 40 percent,” he said. “Giving up smoking can reduce those chances, but anyone who’s ever smoked will always be at more risk.” “Obesity is a second factor, and represents a factor in 20 percent of cases,” he said.

Family medical history is a third factor, while Abu Samra also noted that males were more vulnerable than females.

“That may be explained by the fact that men smoke more than women and are more exposed to chemicals in the workplace,” he said.

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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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