AR
UR
The UAE health sector will now be providing advanced diagnostic services and IVF treatments free of charge to the country's underprivileged couples who are struggling to conceive naturally.
The decision has come as part of a new humanitarian medical initiative launched in line with the partnership between the Emirates Red Crescent Authority and Mubadala Health. A partnership agreement was recently signed by Salem Al Rayyes Al Ameri, Deputy Secretary-General for Local Affairs of the Red Crescent, and Majd Abu Zant, CEO of UEMedical.
Under, the initiative, eligible couples will have access to HealthPlus Fertility’s network of centres and satellite clinics across the UAE. According to officials, couples will be provided with better coverage and accessibility to advanced IVF services at the HealthPlus Fertility, which is a Mubadala Health partner and part of United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical).
The initiative has come in accordance with the Emirates Red Crescent’s role to provide necessary aid and assistance to vulnerable groups and the needy. As a voluntary relief organisation, Emirates Red Crescent adheres to its humanitarian mission of helping others. At the same time, the initiative is part of the corporate social responsibility strategy of Mubadala Health with the aim of supporting and giving back to the local community. The institute aims to provide financial support to couples with limited income.
Previously, HealthPlus Fertility launched several charitable initiatives such as pledging Dh1.5 million to provide fertility treatments to couples in 2018 marking the UAE's ‘Year of Giving’.
Speaking about the partnership, Dr Mohammed Ateeq Al Falahi, Secretary-General of Emirates Red Crescent, underlined the importance of the initiative to provide necessary assistance and medical care to childless couples to help them conceive.
He explained that couples with limited income and in need of such treatments are required to register and submit a formal application along with some official documents to register for the initiative.
Later, eligible couples will be contacted and advised to visit one of the HealthPlus Fertility centres in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Red Crescent will cover their treatment cost from the proceeds of donations received through this initiative
“Choosing Mubadala Health and HealthPlus Fertility as our partner in this humanitarian initiative underlines our commitment to provide world-class treatments to people, which in turn can result in positive clinical outcomes and successful pregnancies. It also provides broader access to a larger number of couples as HealthPlus Fertility is considered one of the largest IVF networks in the region," Dr Al Falahi added.
In addition, Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, CEO of Mubadala Health, expressed confidence in the initiative launched in collaboration with Red Crescent to give hope to many underprivileged couples in the country who need assisted reproductive treatments.
"HealthPlus Fertility’s network has provided care for thousands of couples since its launch in 2010, and we look forward to providing care to couples referred by Emirates Red Crescent under this humanitarian initiative," Al Nowais added.
UEMedical CEO Majd Abu Zant underlined the hope towards helping couples who are unable to afford assisted reproductive treatments or suffer from infertility problems.
He noted that every couple referred by Red Crescent under the campaign will be evaluated carefully by IVF experts to determine the most suitable treatment plan for them to generate the best possible clinical outcome.
The charitable initiative will also cover couples with hereditary diseases. As part of this initiative, Abu Zant welcomed underprivileged couples who are afraid of passing a hereditary disease to their child or have a child with a specific genetic disorder to apply for the programme.
“For those couples, Pre-implantation Genetic Testing will be performed to ensure that we can transfer a healthy embryo. This is a common treatment at our facilities, which has been made possible with Allah’s will and through the continued efforts of our multi-disciplinary team of experts and advanced genetic testing capabilities,” he added.
Couples are advised to submit a request through the communications channels announced via the Red Crescent. They will be selected on the basis of various criteria. Eligible couples will be further referred to a special committee to evaluate the case. Later, the couple would visit one of HealthPlus’ IVF physicians near to their location to initiate the treatment procedure.
SOURCE: Khaleej Times