Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre launches ‘IFHAS’ programme
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), the government entity accelerating the UAE’s mission towards a healthy and safe society by bolstering public health initiatives, announced the launch of IFHAS, a new programme aimed at the early detection of chronic diseases through comprehensive periodic examinations.
With chronic diseases a global and local challenge and a leading cause of death, this distinguished health programme will see ‘Thiqa’ card holders above 18 years of age benefit from comprehensive medical examinations, helping them to potentially avoid the risk of a number of chronic and non-communicable diseases.
As part of the IFHAS programme, a full clinical assessment of the health risks resulting from several chronic diseases is conducted, according to age and gender, along with a comprehensive clinical examination in line with the most important health challenges and needs in a number of primary health care centres in Abu Dhabi.
These include Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) facilities, Mubadala Healthcare centres, Mediclinic Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, NMC and Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi.
Among the many advantages this programme offers is that it enables beneficiaries to familiarise themselves with their health status by receiving a detailed medical report with their examination results within 10 days of the testing date. This is supplemented with a detailed presentation of the report by the licensed medical centre where the examination took place.
Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said, “The IFHAS programme is one of the Abu Dhabi government’s strategic initiatives and has been launched in line with the vision of the nation’s leadership to provide world class healthcare and wellbeing initiatives to the Abu Dhabi community across preventative and curative healthcare. The programme aims to provide Thiqa cardholders aged 18 and above with full medical assessments that ensure prevention and early detection. These examinations will further provide a holistic view of the current state of public health, across all segments of society, and will contribute to the development of preventative and curative health programmes.”
Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, added, “I urge citizens of the target group to get tested regularly to detect cardiovascular diseases and their associated risk factors. We advise all members of society to adopt a healthy lifestyle, make healthy food choices, engage in various physical activities, and avoid smoking and similar bad habits. Such initiatives will contribute to raising the quality of life for our community members.”
Dr. Anwar Sallam, Group Chief Medical Officer at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company – SEHA, commented, “This initiative will play a vital role in improving the health of many citizens and residents in the UAE and will prevent the onset of many serious and life-threatening conditions. Through our partnership with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, we will be offering these tests at all 46 of our SEHA clinics in the country and encourage everyone who is eligible to make the most of this service.”
Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, CEO of Mubadala Health, stated, “Based on our belief in the importance of the role that healthcare plays in societies, we at Mubadala Health look forward to cooperating and supporting IFHAS programme through our facilities, alongside other awareness programmes launched by ADPHC.”
Joe Hazel, Chief Operating Officer, Mediclinic Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, said, “We are delighted that our hospitals and our clinics in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra have been selected to be part of the periodic comprehensive screening programme. Mediclinic is steadfast in its support of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s endeavours to curb the adverse effects of chronic diseases by facilitating early detection services to the community from a young age.”
Frank Gabriel Delisi, Senior Vice President Operations, NMC, added, “NMC is privileged to be a part of the IFHAS programme launched by Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre that aims at protecting the emirate’s residents’ health thereby ensuring the safety of all workers by promoting excellence in public and preventative health concepts.”
Professor Abdel Rahman Ahmed Omer, CEO Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, said, “Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi and Burjeel at Marina, part of VPS group, are one of the top Emirati Health care organisations that extend care to all of those who live or visit the UAE. We are delighted to partner with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in the delivery of all services they set and confirm our support for their vision and mission.”
The IFHAS programme aims to address the dread of chronic diseases – a global and local challenge, consisting of a number of internationally recognised and scientifically proven tests to reduce mortality and increase the quality of life through an effective screening process.
The programme will be implemented in conjunction with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s (DoH) ongoing Periodic Comprehensive Health Screening Programme (PCSP).
WAM
