Dubai to screen healthcare staff

Thousands of healthcare workers in Dubai will be screened for infectious diseases to ensure patient safety, according to a new policy set to be rolled out by the Dubai Health Authority in 2013.

The mandatory medical policy will screen and vaccinate over 3,000 workers including physicians, nurses, lab technicians and even housekeepers in the initial phase for diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, pulmonary tuberculosis, chicken pox and syphilis. Tests will also be carried out for blood pressure and lipid profiles while the medical staff between the ages of 50 and 60 will also have to undergo mental and physical assessments.
The policy will be later expanded to include all health workers and will be fully implemented by 2014. All medical staff are currently undergoing a registration process. The policy is aimed to protect healthcare workers (HCW) as well as the patients they come into contact with, said Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of the Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA.
“The screening will also ensure early diagnosis and this is particularly important for some fatal diseases as it will help save the lives of these workers or at least prolong their lives,” she said.
Dr Aizeldin Al Jack, consultant and head of the Preventive Medicine Section, Public Health and Safety Department, said: “Periodic screening will be done every three years for HIV, hepatitis B and C, pulmonary tuberculosis, chicken pox and syphilis.”
He further elaborated that all HCW jobs have been classified into different categories depending on the risk of transmitting the infection to the patient. “A person may be unfit in one category but maybe fit in another category. Therefore, healthcare administrators may modify his or her job based on the results of the screening.” He said that in some cases, the infected person may receive treatment and start working on the same job after being treated.
Dr Lubna Al Shaali, Public Health Specialist, said: “It is essential that all HCWs are aware of their infection status so that early secondary (prevention from disease complications) and tertiary (managing disabilities and rehabilitation) preventive steps can be taken.”
Dr Wasif Alam, Director of the Public Health and Safety Department, encouraged all HCWs to ensure they are immunised not only against hepatitis B and chicken pox as mandated in the policy but also against other vaccine preventable diseases like influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus, hepatitis A, herpes zoster, meningococcal and human papillomavirus.
He added that the percentage of adult vaccination has always been low globally, perhaps because of the lack of mandatory regulations.
“If we implement compulsory vaccination for all high risk groups in Dubai and raise awareness about the importance of vaccinations and personal hygiene like hand washing, we can make a difference and curb the number of people who develop communicable diseases.”
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com