Clinic on Women’s Health and Wellness Opens in Abu Dhabi [Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates]

Feb. 18--ABU DHABI -- Women suffering from complex gynaecological problems no longer need to go far now to seek treatment with the opening of HealthPlus Women's Health Centre, the first outpatient speciality clinic in Abu Dhabi that focuses on women's health and wellness.

HealthPlus Women's Health Centre, is an innovative facility that provides comprehensive range of sub-speciality services, which include general obstetrics and gynaecology, maternal-foetal medicine, minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgery), urogynaecology and reproductive medicine.

HealthPlus was established by UEMedical, the Abu Dhabi-based healthcare investors and developer. The women's centre was the first to open in the planned network of 20 premium outpatient centres in the emirate.

"The centre aims to address the shortage in sub-specialty services for women in Abu Dhabi. Through this unique model of care, keeping the patient at the centre treatment, to ensure the best clinical outcomes for women facing complex gynaecological problems," said Majd Abu Zant, chief executive officer of HealthPlus said during the official launch of the centre on Tuesday.

"Our mission is to improve long-term health of women living in Abu Dhabi through the provision of state-of-the-art medical care," he added.

The centre also offers full range of pre-natal and post-natal care. In terms of delivery, the attending physician is responsible in delivering the baby in a private hospital contracted by HealthPlus and chosen by the patient.

As an outpatient facility, the centre does not have delivery and laboratory services, but the company will be signing agreements with private hospitals in Abu Dhabi, that are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), for those purposes.

"As outpatient facility, we are not permitted to perform deliveries here (however) these services will be integrated with Danat Al Emarat Women and Children's Hospital when it becomes operational," Abu Zant told Khaleej Times.

Danat Al Emarat is the UEMedical's flagship project currently under construction at Between Bridges and expected to be operational in one to two years.

Abu Zant disclosed that major insurance companies in the UAE are already covering treatment at the centre including Daman, NAS and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), and that they are also in pursuit of other insurance companies to include HealthPlus Women's Health Centre in their network of coverage.

The centre, which was located at Hazaa bin Zayed the First Street (11th), currently has five competent healthcare consultants who are familiar with the Arabic customs as well as educated and trained in the West. The physicians are expected to see between 15-18 patients a day in an endeavour to deliver good quality patient care.

"We hope to increase the number of doctors (in future) in order not to reduce the time for thorough exam," said Abu Zant adding that the sufficient time for diagnosing and treating a patient is 30 minutes plus for first time visit and 30 minutes less for follow-up.

To celebrate the inauguration of the new facility, HealthPlus will hold open house workshops on February 24 and February 25. The interactive workshops aim to promote awareness on women health issues. A complimentary health checks and screening will also be carried out at the centre.

HealthPlus plans to launch five other speciality clinics within the coming years, including dental health, day surgery, orthopaedics and rehabilitation, and a fertility and genetics facility before the end of the year. A network of 14 family clinics will also be established across the emirate to reach Al Gharbiya and Al Ain.

"As we expand we will continue to move out from the city and into the suburbs and into the greater Abu Dhabi," Abu Zant said. [email protected]

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