Conference on rehabilitation opens in Abu Dhabi

 A conference on rehabilitation and homecare opened in Abu Dhabi on Friday, bringing together individuals and organisations working together to build up the professional capability of staff in the United Arab Emirates’ homecare and rehabilitation services.

Titled "Rehabilitation, Home-care & Long Term Care Conference", the one-day event featured lectures focused on the diversity of care options that aims to improve the quality of care and protection for the patients.

Inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, the conference in its 4th edition staged medical leaders in all fields of homecare and rehabilitation around the globe with advanced research, modern treatment as well as application of best practices locally and regionally.

Addressing the conference, Sheikh Nahyan said, "The subject of this conference is directly relevant to the quality of life and the state of healthcare in the United Arab Emirates. We are fortunate that our national leaders understand full well that superior medical facilities and superb healthcare professionals are essential for sustaining our medical progress."

"Those of you who practice in the United Arab Emirates know that President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, supported by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has enabled the creation of a remarkable healthcare system in our country. The citizens of the UAE enjoy one of the most sophisticated healthcare systems in the region and the world, distinguished as it is by its innovation, scientific research, and technological capabilities. Its leaders have recognised that comprehensive healthcare must include the best rehabilitation, long-term care, and home care. This conference will strengthen those elements of our national healthcare system," he added.

Over 500 medical professionals gathered and took part in elaborating the constantly growing number of persons needing care, the shortage of skilled personnel, and overloading in clinics: demographic change and the decreasing lengths of stay in hospitals require new measures and qualified offers for private and non-clinical care of people with nursing needs. Roughly more than a billion dirhams were invested on treatment of the people within UAE in more than 170 accredited facilities.

Lectures given include traumatic brain injury, rehabilitation and providing hope, new 2018 CARF standards, anticoagulant therapy and rehabilitation patients, role of health literacy and importance in rehabilitation and homecare practices, multidisciplinary approach to patient with chronic diseases, achieving quality with JCI Homecare accreditation, medical care of cerebral palsy patients, spasticity diagnosis and management, growing need of rehabilitation services for occupational health, hemiplegic shoulder rehabilitation, role of home health in population management using technology, pediatric spinal cord injury, long term care in the UAE, interdisciplinary team approach rehabilitation, effective case coordination in homecare setting, use of MxStage machine at home for vegetative, disabled, and home bound dialysis patients, opportunities and challenges in homecare and perceptions of introduction huddle to improve communication in a home team in the emirates.

The full text of the Minister's speech follows: "Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am delighted to officially inaugurate a conference devoted to Rehabilitation, Homecare and Long Term Care. Your concerns touch me and the vast majority of the population. I am grateful that healthcare professionals, especially the nurses and physio-therapists who treat us, intend to sharpen and expand their knowledge and skills. We are all grateful to Dr. Mishal and his colleagues at Capital Health and the Specialised Rehabilitation Hospital. Their vision has led to the fourth instance of this annual conference. It is my particular pleasure to welcome Capital Health’s special guest, Dr. Vova from Atlanta, along with all of you who are visiting Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. We deeply appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and experience. I am likewise pleased to recognise the speakers from our national healthcare community and all of the participants from our country’s many hospitals, clinics, and centres. Your current and prospective patients rejoice in your resolve to continue your medical education.

The subject of this conference is directly relevant to the quality of life and the state of healthcare in the United Arab Emirates. We are fortunate that our national leaders understand full well that superior medical facilities and superb healthcare professionals are essential for sustaining our medical progress. Those of you who practice in the United Arab Emirates know that His Highness the President, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai and by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, has enabled the creation of a remarkable healthcare system in our country. The citizens of the UAE enjoy one of the most sophisticated healthcare systems in the region and the world, distinguished as it is by its innovation, scientific research, and technological capabilities. Its leaders have recognised that comprehensive healthcare must include the best rehabilitation, long-term care, and home care. This conference will strengthen those elements of our national healthcare system.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Your conference focuses on how general advances in medicine, changing demands for medical services, and societal expectations for revolutionary treatments and cures open up the potential for novel approaches to rehabilitation medicine. Rehabilitation is fast becoming a vital component of successful healthcare systems everywhere. The nature of your work and your presence at this conference are cause for great optimism. Your collective interest in achieving breakthroughs that will improve the health and lives of countless millions is encouraging. Both the medical-scientific community and the public worldwide are anxious to recognise and embrace your success in helping to restore the good health of patients suffering the effects of injuries, surgeries, and various disabilities.

I have looked at your agenda. It is obvious to me that you deal with a wide range of physical problems and conditions. To be sure, most of us human beings will require rehabilitation sometime in our lives. I congratulate you on your commitment to provide the highest quality medical service to each one of your patients and on your dedication to identify and follow the best practices the world has to offer. I admire the interdisciplinary approach that is so essential to success in your field. I value your attempts to integrate hospital, community, and home care wisely so as to improve their lives and provide them with positive and effective experiences.

I look forward to your progress in exploring community and homecare options to meet changing demographics that are increasing the demand for your services and your expertise. Your focus on patient safety and comfort, on promoting international standards, and on health education and awareness is also commendable. Your efforts to help patients to better manage their own health issues and to take more control of their lives is naturally appealing. As you know too well, you must somehow persuade and inspire patients to follow their treatment plan. They must take the responsibility to participate in their own health management. Physicians, nurses, and physio-therapists, for their part, must stay current with the latest research developments and treatments. I am sure you also understand that modern technologies and mechanical devices have great potential for improving your practice. The UAE is a world leader in the adoption of technology and should miss no chance to improve rehabilitation medicine by using new technologies.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Your conference provides a continuing education forum for all professionals in your field. You have resolved to give your patients the best possible care while at the same time reinforcing their sense of dignity and respect.

So my message to you this morning is twofold. I thank you for your skill, your dedication, and your commitment to the cause of human health. I also encourage you to continue to excel not just in your discovery of better medical practices but also in your informed application of knowledge that promotes the common good.

Thank you for being here, I wish you the best at today’s conference and in the days to come."

Source: Wam