UAE, December 10, 2015 –Dr. Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, inaugurated the Dadna Health Center in Fujairah, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Ayesha Suhail, Director of Primary Healthcare, and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Abdullah, Director of Fujairah Medical Zone.

The official launching of the ‘Itmenan’ initiative also took place at the Dadna Health Center. To be carried out under the slogan ‘Contentment,’ ‘Itmenan’ includes the Council of Ministers’ ‘National Periodic Health Screening Check-Up’ and ‘Cancer Screening’ initiatives developed to reduce the spread of cancers and other non-communicable illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cervical, colon and breast cancers. The program also falls within the Ministry of Health’s goal of promoting the importance of regular medical check-ups and early screening tests.

The Cabinet has allocated AED 18 million per year for the implementation of the two initiatives. The first phase of the initiatives covers their launching in Fujairah and Sharjah this year, followed by their gradual implementation in other emirates.  Services under the two programs will be initially offered for free to all Emiratis with health cards, with the possibility of providing the same benefits to all residents later on.

Dr. Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al Rand said: “The UAE health sector has been working towards a vision of reinforcing the government’s competitiveness and innovation in terms of developing health services with a sharp focus on results, efficiency and evaluation. The opening of specialized clinics such as the Dadna Health Center falls under the spirit of the 44^th National Day celebration and the National Innovation Strategy and is aimed at providing world-class health services to all citizens and residents in accordance with the best international practices.  All these efforts are under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and in support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

H.E. assured the Ministry’s continuous efforts to implement similar preventive measures ensuring the health of all citizens, in addition to the development and modernization of the health sector through regular enhancement of procedures and introduction of new improvement projects.  The projects will include expansion of primary healthcare centers and construction of new state-of-the-art hospitals.

Medical institutions will recruit highly-qualified health staff such as specialized nurses to better provide the needs of the growing number of patients using advanced methods of treatment. Other planned innovations include the development of online medical records and questionnaires for all patients across various health centers and implementation of numerous educational and health programs focusing on cancers and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.

Dr. Ayesha Suhail, Director of Primary Healthcare said: “The center plays an important role in the provision of treatments and implementation of the initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of periodic health screening in the country. Our goal is to reduce morbidity through early screening for breast, colon, and cervical cancers and prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, blood pressure disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.”

The Dadna Health Center provides curative and preventive services, including laboratory exams, radiology health tests, registration and renewal of health cards, school health services, pregnancy and child care, vaccinations, and implementation of immunization programs.