The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is celebrating World Patient Safety Day on September 17 under the theme "Safe maternal and newborn care". To mark the occasion, MoHAP will be lighting up the Dubai Frame in orange colour at 18:00.

This year, the ministry is celebrating the occasion to raise global awareness on issues related to maternal and neonatal safety, particularly during childbirth. The theme is aimed at taking sustainable measures to promote safety and respectful childbirth. Furthermore, the ministry is seeking to enhance the support and capacity of health workers along with facilitating secure use of medicines and medical equipment during childbirth.

Multidisciplinary plans and initiatives implemented by the MoHAP prioritizes boosting awareness about the safety of mothers and newborns during childbirth. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, stated that the ministry is providing distinguished and safe care as well as supportive environments to competent health professionals working in the sector.

At the same time, the ministry is working with various relevant partners to adopt comprehensive health and community programmes with the aim of achieving its strategy to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare to patients.

Esmat Al Qassem, Head of the Maternity and Childhood Department, underlined that the ministry has set up electronic clinics to strengthen health services for the Maternity and Childhood Department. These efforts are being ensured in line with the precautionary measures implemented by the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Al Qassem explained that there are specific programmes to provide top-class maternal healthcare before pregnancy, follow-up during the fourth month of pregnancy, during and after delivery. Furthermore, there are educational programmes for mothers to raise knowledge about public health, nutrition, healthcare for children, vaccinations and prevention of diseases.

She highlighted that specialised maternal healthcare services include remote visits to the mother and her infant in the first week and provision to visit a hospital or health centre in designated medical district in case of any requirement.

Relevant authorities are also providing vaccination visits for all ages, except for the age of two months. In case of new vaccinations, the child's health condition is initially assessed through the electronic clinic and then the vaccination is provided accordingly. 

WAM