DUBAI: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced the launch of the Patient Safety Friendly Hospitals initiative, a significant step in its strategy to guarantee the provision of high-quality healthcare services in line with international best practices. Launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the initiative, aims to improve patient safety by Developing accredited standards that enhance the performance of hospitals in accordance with international practices.

The WHO-led programme encourages the adoption of safe health practices in medical facilities. It offers a comprehensive set of standards and a framework that empowers hospitals to enhance the safety of patient care, as well as a thorough assessment of hospital performance regarding patient safety. It also seeks to bolster staff competencies in this field and engages patients in activities aimed at promoting healthcare quality.

The initiative’s launch follows the training of a national team in collaboration wi
th WHO to obtain accreditation as national evaluators for the initiative. Additionally, the first two hospitals in the country to obtain the title of “patient safety-friendly hospitals” were evaluated and accredited: Fujairah Hospital of the Emirates Health Services and Mediclinic City Hospital.

Quality of Services

Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, said, “The quality and safety of healthcare services are foundational elements in the evolution of our healthcare system. We aspire for the UAE to set a global standard in healthcare service quality and patient safety.’

‘Health entities in the country have spared no effort to improve the level of patient safety at all stages of service delivery. Through collaborative efforts with international institutions and organisations, particularly the World Health Organisation, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, along with government and private healthcare entities, has formulated comprehensive health policies, p
lans, and interventions across various domains. These initiatives are meticulously crafted with specific objectives, operating in tandem to synergistically enhance the quality of healthcare services,” Al Rand added.

A study conducted across six countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region revealed that 18 percent of hospital admissions were linked to patient harm caused by medical interventions, with 83 percent of these cases deemed preventable.

Source: Emirates News Agency