Public engaged in shaping Dubai health strategy

Health professionals from the public and private sector gathered today to discuss the nessecities of an effective health strategy for the next 5 years, at the ongoing interactive health forum held by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

It is the first time employees from the public and private sector are engaged in an interactive forum regarding the Dubai Health Strategy.

More than 90 healthcare professionals from hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical industry, health insurance, medical equipment and technology firms are taking part.

Soon, every person in Dubai will be asked to provide their feedback and suggested initiatives for the Dubai Health Strategy.

The aim of the strategy is to effectively cater to the healthcare needs of the population, now and in future, said the DHA.

"This project will be carried out over three months. After the interactive sessions are concluded,  the results will be analysed and contribute to forming a the health strategy for 2015-2021," said.

Humaid Obaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of the DHA.

“The central objective of a robust health system is to ensure that through various preventive and educational initiatives, its population achieves and maintains an improved health status and that in times of need, everyone has easy access to the highest quality  of health services.

"To achieve this, a 360 degrees approach is needed across all areas of health care. This platform provides us with an opportunity to actively engage with the health sector and get their inputs for the formulation of the health strategy.”

“Members of the health sector understand the nuances of the sector in Dubai and bring with them years of experience. This is an opportunity for them to provide us with initiatives that they feel will bring about a positive and meaningful transformation of the health sector.”

As part of the forum, members of the health sector were divided into eight groups and each team discussed three topics.

Al Qatami said, “Prior to this forum, the DHA  held discussions with  key members of the public and private sector to analyse both  the strengths and existing gaps in the health sector.

"The topics include prevention, service delivery and continuum of care, excellence in quality and KPI measurement, medical protocol, competitiveness and investment, governance, efficiency and sustainability, medical education and research, insurance and health financing, talent and work force, IT and health technology and medical tourism and patient experience.

The forum is part of the second phase of the stakeholder engagement.

In the first phase, which concluded today, the DHA launched an active employee engagement initiative known as the Virtual Interactive Health Forum to provide a platform for each and every employee at the DHA to give their ideas and suggested initiatives for the Dubai Health Strategy. DHA employees have posted hundreds of initiatives.

The engagement of citizens and residents is the third phase of the project.

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