Panel to study private health sector's problems

Dubai: The Health Council will set up a special committee to monitor challenges faced by private health service providers, it was announced on Friday.

Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, said the private health sector is an important strategic partner of the government. He made the remarks during his opening speech at the Health Council meeting recently.

"The government takes care of investments in the health sector and partners with private health sector in providing affordable health services for all," he said.

The Minister said the Health Council is seeking to standardise health policies nationwide and provide quality health services for all.

Special needs

The Council also discussed proposals pertaining to the new federal law on pharmacists and regulation of medical products.

It called for the reshuffling of a committee on people with special needs and the setting up of a team. The Council members studied the proposals of the Special Needs Parents' Association to facilitate the medical procedures and visits of the disabled to health facilities in the UAE and also to facilitate the transfer procedures of patients in the country's public hospitals. The meeting also discussed the referral of prisoners between hospitals and licensing of doctors.