UAE health ministry to gradually resume suspended services from today

Dubai - Hospitals can now perform scheduled surgeries in urgent cases. However, plastic surgeries will remain suspended, except for urgent conditions.

Scheduled surgeries are among the medical services that will be resumed from Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has announced.
"Hospitals will be allowed to perform scheduled surgeries of an urgent medical condition according to certain conditions, in order to meet the patient's needs. However, plastic surgeries will remain suspended in all hospitals, except in urgent medical conditions."
All medical services will be provided in a safe way to meet patient's needs in all specialties and at all service delivery points, added the ministry.
The services of outpatient clinics will be restored in morning and evening shifts, based on scheduling systems and after confirming the appointments with customers. The list of the resumed services includes cardiology, pediatric, general surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics and mental health services. The ENT department (ear, nose, and throat) will continue to provide services for emergency cases.
The move comes as part of enhancing the continuation of the governmental work while remaining committed to the precautionary measures to curb Covid-19 spread, as well as the strict and full implementation of the preventive measures that ensure the highest level of protection of patients, medical care, and customers.
Parallel to service resumption, the Mohap has also issued the organisational guide for hospital services in accordance with the precautionary and preventive information in light of Covid-19 repercussions.

Enhancing operational readiness

Dr Kalthoum Al Balushi, director of the hospitals department, underlined that the decision on the resumption has been made after having taken the necessary preparations and precautions.

She pointed to the full readiness of medical, nursing, and technical cadres to receive patients and to provide them with healthcare services according to approved standards. The virtual and telemedicine services in all medical, nursing and supporting specialties will remain in place, she added.

"The unlimited support of the wise leadership to the health sector with best potential and capabilities to contain Covid-19, as well as the promising field results in terms of the increased rate of recovery make us confident in our ability to deal with all situations and emergencies that have already been considered," said Al Balushi.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com