Dubai Health Authority to improve gender-based care

A new health task force will be set up in Dubai to ensure men and women receive care specific to their needs.

Dubai Health Authority said it will establish a gender balance committee to develop care strategies.

The committee will also look at the ratio of female to male health workers in various fields and make improvements where necessary.

There are almost twice as many female health professionals as men working in Dubai – 24,672 compared with 13,742.

The announcement was made by the authority when it confirmed details of the twoday Dubai Health Forum on January 21.

“In gender balance, there are globally recognised key performance indicators we will look at to improve services,” said Dr Manal Taryam, of the authority’s primary health care division.

“These issues will be addressed and we will launch a council within the DHA for gender balance in health care to monitor progress in these areas.”

Dr Taryam said that more work needs to be done to help both sexes thrive in the medical field.

“We will try to understand how to empower them, how we help them to pursue their chosen career and how we can help them succeed in their work environment.”

Findings by the council from public and private sector hospitals will be reported to the UN every four years. Based on those findings, initiatives will be launched to compensate for any shortfalls in health care for men and women.

The yesterday also welcomed the 50-Year Charter, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, for the development of the emirate and includes a focus on bolstering health provision.

The charter, marking Sheikh Mohammed’s half century of service to the UAE, is an action plan for the future made up of nine articles, the fifth of which calls for a doctor to be available to every citizen.

Humaid Al Qatami, director general of the authority, said the body would rise to the challenge set by Sheikh Mohammed.

“The government of Dubai spares no effort in developing its health sector,” Mr Al Qatami said.

Article five of the charter sets out a vision to provide medical consultations by hundreds of thousands of doctors, specialists and consultants around the clock through the use of smart government applications.

Mr Al Qatami said the authority was moving forward with plans to develop infrastructure at its medical facilities and is embracing advances in technology to provide the best standard of care.

He said the fifth article would act as a performance indicator for the authority to measure the efficiency of hospitals, primary healthcare centres, specialised centres and clinics across Dubai.

The forum will focus on family health and community well-being, sustainable public health economics, technology and innovation and health care for young people.

There will be 42 speakers in 62 sessions.

A 30-hour “health hackathon” will challenge university teams to develop healthcare solutions for those with special needs.