UAE | Health
Diabetes and obesity among UAE key health challenges
Elderly people, increasing cases of type II diabetes, obesity and a rapidly expanding population are the four major challenges for the UAE and the regional healthcare industry, said a Tawam Hospital spokesperson.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:41 July 25, 2008
Al Ain: Elderly people, increasing cases of type II diabetes, obesity and a rapidly expanding population are the four major challenges for the UAE and the regional healthcare industry, said a Tawam Hospital spokesperson.
The demand for hospital beds is continuously increasing and experts believe it will double by 2025 in the region. Highlighting the need to pursue vital research to meet future challenges, the spokesperson said it was crucial for the industry to create public awareness.
The hospital, which aims to maintain its leading position as provider of quality healthcare, has already begun a revitalisation project to upgrade facilities and expand patient care, said Brian de Francesca, chief operating officer of Tawam Hospital.
He said the hospital has registered a 113 per cent increase in in-patient admissions in a year, along with a rising number of outpatients. The hospital's satellite primary healthcare centre in Al Naima has also seen a dramatic increase of 12 per cent in the number of out-patients this year.
"We are preparing out satellites [clinics]," said Francesca, adding the addition will include innovative new services such as a well man clinic and occupational health services. The newly-established case management department saw 180 new patients in May, and followed up on 195 in-patients. It also facilitated the discharge of 190 patients, he said. Recent achievements, he said, includes the opening of a molecular imaging centre at the hospital. Tawam Hospital has also become the first centre to receive the HACCP food safety certification.
It has also successfully conducted bilateral choanal atresia surgery ti save lives of newborn babies, said Francesca. Choanal atresia is a narrowing or blockage of the nasal airway by tissue.
Michael E. Heindel, CEO of Tawam Hospital, said: "We are committed to the development of the UAE's healthcare sector through treatment, prevention and awareness campaigns".
As breast cancer, oncology diseases, obesity and diabetes have reached alarming levels in the UAE and the GCC, educating the public remains a top priority, he said. He said great strides had also been made to improve existing services and facilities.
He said the hospital is known as a specialist centre for all patients in the UAE and neighbouring countries from where it receives a large number of referral patients. It also aims to minimise the referral of its own patients to other countries for treatment.
The hospital, which is a 477-bed tertiary care facility, has a 10-year affiliation with the Baltimore USA-based Johns Hopkins Medicine International since 2006. It also hosts the National Centre for Cancer Registry and the largest blood bank in the UAE.
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