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Medical teams to visit elderly at home
Ministry's programme will initially be implemented in Fujairah by the end of the year and will target 1,000 elderly Emiratis.
- PUBLISHED: Sat 3 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM UPDATED: Sat 3 Oct 2015, 12:16 PM
Comprehensive home care will be provided to the elderly under a new programme launched by the UAE Ministry of Health and announced on Thursday. The programme will initially be implemented in Fujairah by the end of the year and will target 1,000 elderly Emiratis in need of help.
It will later be expanded to Ras Al Khaimah by the end of 2016, and to Ajman, Umm Al Quwain in 2017.
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Dr Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centes ande Clinics, said: "These services will provide the elderly with access to the best customised treatments at home after regular visits to specialised care centres. Mobile teams comprising doctors, medical experts and nurses will visit the homes of the elderly and follow up on their health with the help of family members. They will also provide the necessary health care within a safe and comfortable family environment that will grant patients peace of mind."
Each emirate will have a team of home healthcare workers that includes doctors, nurses, specialists, nutrition and treatment rehabilitation, dentists and administrators. The task force will be increased in each emirate in the following year to cover the growing needs of home health care. The services provided will include promotive health services, preventive services and curative services and rehabilitation services for the citizens and the elderly in remote areas in the context of primary health care concepts, in addition to nursing services and lab tests.
The announcement was made during the first scientific Geriatric Homecare Conference held at Al Hayat Regency Hotel. The World Health Organisation also commended the home care programme developed and implemented by the ministry across the country.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com