AHS urges travellers to protect against infectious diseases

Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), has urged residents of Abu Dhabi who are planning to travel abroad, including pilgrims who want to travel to Makkah for performing Haj or Umrah, to benefit from the Travel Health services that will now be offered through its healthcare centers in Abu Dhabi Island and the Middle Region. Starting January 26, AHS will offer Travel Health services at: Al Bateen Healthcare Center, Al Rowda Healthcare Center, Al Khaleej Healthcare Center, Al Zafaranah Healthcare Center, Al Ettihad Healthcare Center, Al Maqtaa Healthcare Center, Khalifa (A) Healthcare Center, Madinat Mohamed bin Zayed Healthcare Center, Al Samha Healthcare Center, Baniyas Healthcare Center and Al Shamkha Healthcare Center. As part of its efforts to protect the residents of Abu Dhabi from different travel related illnesses, AHS offers preventive medicine advice, vaccination and medication which vary depending on the country of destination and the duration of stay. Travel medicine should be taken at least six weeks before the travel date and people suffering from chronic medical conditions should take additional precautions. AHS has also announced that the Disease Prevention '&' Screening Centers (DPSCs) in Abu Dhabi will no longer offer travel health services (including haj and umra vaccinations) as part of a strategic decision to increase the efficiency of the visa screening process offered by DPSCs. The move comes in line with AHS strategy to expand the scope of its offerings and bring various healthcare services closer to its customers. AHS provides Yellow fever Vaccine, anti-rabies, Meningococcal Vaccine, Flue Vaccine and Malaria tablets. Dr. Omar Al Jaberi, Chief Medical Officer at AHS, said: "Protecting travellers, especially pilgrims from epidemics and communicable diseases during their stay abroad is a top priority for AHS and we urge travellers to take necessary health precautions before traveling especially to countries where infectious diseases are prevalent. We offer various vaccination programmes and preventive health advice that is attuned to the traveller's health condition and needs through our healthcare centers." "Our health facilities are provided with knowledgeable healthcare professionals in the field of travel health to help prospective travellers prepare for their trips with full peace of mind by offering useful tips that will enable them to remain fit during their stay abroad," Al Jaberi added. Ambulatory Healthcare Services is committed to making the lives of people in the emirate of Abu Dhabi healthier. AHS uniquely combines local research findings and latest scientific evidence in the delivery of its services.