Dubai: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has opened a second branch of its traveller clinic to meet the travel demands of residents.
The branch, housed within the Al Barsha Primary Healthcare Centre, is in line with the Authority’s expansion plans.
The traveller clinic offers comprehensive medical counselling and requisite vaccinations. These services have become increasingly popular due to increased awareness levels about health-care precautions before travelling.
The clinic in Al Barsha will cater to the needs of newer areas within Dubai including Jebel Ali. The clinic is operational from 9am to 2pm.
The traveller clinic in Al Mankhool was opened in 2007. In 2012, it catered to 17,230 customers compared to 11,813 in 2011.
The clinic follows the protocol by the US-based Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the health requirements for travel to 200 destinations.
In a media statement, Dr Fatima Al Attar, head of preventive services at the DHA, said that the travel clinics are certified— by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – as yellow fever immunisation centres in Dubai. The centres also provides vaccinations against hepatitis B, influenza and malaria
She said: “It is important that people visit us at least four weeks before they travel because some of the vaccines take a few weeks to become effective. We provide customised health travel solutions to individuals as per their requirement and this includes advice on food and hygiene.”
She said it is mandatory to have certain vaccines before visiting certain countries. For example, Haj pilgrims require a meningococcal vaccine. (The CDC state meningococcal bacteria can cause severe disease, including meningitis and sepsis, resulting in permanent disabilities and even death.)
