HRH Princess Haya highlights need to improve patient experience across UAE healthcare systems at Arab Health 2012

On behalf of HRH Princess Haya, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, the UAE Minister of Health, attended the opening session of the one-day conference. As part of Her speech, His Excellency Al Owais highlighted that the Dubai Healthcare City Authority, alongside the UAE Ministry of Health and the Dubai Health Authority, are working together to create an environment where excellence in patient care lies at the very core of the UAE's medical community.

"We are yet to witness a complete paradigm shift from provider-centered care to patient-centered care," stated HE Excellency Al Owais. "The high quality of healthcare professionals, coupled with major advancements in technology, robust research efforts and the expansion of academic programs have made substantial progress in helping patients live longer and healthier, while benefiting from a higher quality of life."

"Our commitment to delivering quality healthcare to patients begins with attracting world-class healthcare professionals, particularly Emirati nationals," continued His Excellency Al Owais. "Medical research and education are other essential elements of quality care. We are committed to supporting and promoting high quality education and research by creating a platform to grow, attract and retain healthcare professionals through home-grown, extensive academic and research programs, ultimately benefiting our patients."

Additional speakers at the conferences included Dr James Merlino, Chief Experience Officer, Cleveland Clinic, USA and President of Patient Experience Association, USA, as well as Thomas Miller, CEO Customer Solutions, Siemens AG Healthcare Sector, Germany.

"The UAE is developing healthcare benchmarks that are making the rest of the world notice, which is particularly relevant for patient healthcare in the region. More than ever, it is important to focus on the comfort levels and respect given to the patients and their families in addition to the medical treatment the patient receives," said Simon Page, Managing Director - Life Sciences, Informa Exhibitions, organizers of Arab Health.

Leaders in Healthcare was attended by CEO's, medical directors, and government representatives from across the UAE on the final day of Arab Health Exhibition and Congress.

On the sidelines of the Leaders in Healthcare Conference, His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), highlighted DHA's latest healthcare initiative. "At Arab Health, the DHA has launched a breakthrough initiative for the first time on a diverse communication tool, which has yet to be implemented by other Government entities in the Emirate. For businesses that are in the Emirate, we have issued details of our Tawajud service, which is a door-to-door medical service in Russian, French, Chinese, Korean, Urdu, Arabic and English. This will help reach out to wide business audience base."