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UAE to Focus on Better Mental Healthcare System

DUBAI — A primary healthcare pilot project aimed at cutting costs and assessing the mental health system in the country is ready for expansion.

The project, launched by the UAE Ministry of Health last year, started screening of patients for mental health disorders at primary healthcare centres (PHCs). It also initiated research on the current mental health system in the country.

The PHCs were identified as the key components in the ministry’s strategy to reduce the burden on the already under-pressure mental health facilities. They will help treat diseases based on co-morbidity between physical and mental health and contain an increase in the number of lapses brought on by late diagnosis.

“Early diagnosis means earlier treatment and lesser complications later,” explained Dr Mustafa Afifi, Consultant, Mental Health Department at the ministry. “We are the first stop for any patient. They come to us to get treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes or obesity but many may not know that these conditions are affecting them mentally,” he said. The ministry has prioritised 46 mental ailments, including depression and anxiety, to be treated at the primary care level. The general physician is also authorised to dispense a number of psychotropic and anti-depressants for disorders that are not considered serious or else suggest a referral.

The project that was launched in Ras Al Khaimah involving trained general practitioners (GPs) is a success and is currently being expanded to other Northern Emirates, said Dr Afifi.

The ministry’s strategy, based on WHO recommendations, also supports the fact that GPs encounter at least 80 per cent of mental disorders — most commonly anxiety and depression — among people who may not even know they are afflicted.

“Judging from their condition, we are training general physicians to either treat or refer the patients for further treatment,” said the expert. The project has also seen an increase in referrals from PHCs to psychiatric hospitals including Al Amal Hospital in Dubai and Kuwaiti Hospital in Sharjah. However, exact numbers were unavailable.

Sixteen doctors and five psychologists have been provided theoretical and clinical training until now while three research projects are underway.

The projects include judging the magnitude of minor mental illnesses in primary care; mental illnesses in high school children and assessment of the mental health system in the country.

An average patient in the country spends more than Dh20,000 a year on treatment of mental illness. While UAE nationals get free treatment and medicines at government hospitals, expatriates are required to pay minimal charges. However, shortage of mental health specialists still dogs modern 
treatment methods.

“There are only 180 specialist psychiatrists working in the UAE. Only 10 per cent of them are doctors who know how to use hypnosis in treating patients in critical cases,” said Dr Bahjat Balbous, Specialist Psychiatrist, Al Amal Hospital.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com