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UAE community 'like' Mafraq Hospital
Abu Dhabi - The UAE is investing heavily in the adoption and implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government and private sectors and Mafraq Hospital has embraced this trend. The hospital has launched its first mobile app in order to improve the experience of its patients, as well as introducing a new communication channel to make life easier and more convenient for all residents. The app is available in Arabic and English for Iphone and android users and allows patients, and visitors, to better navigate the hospital's facilities and way finding within the campus, locate a consultant, see the services on offer, make appointments, keep a track of their own health and link directly to the hospital's social media channels.
It is widely recognized that hospitals are not just entities offering diagnostic and curative services alone but also have a social responsibility to guide their communities towards healthier lifestyles through health promotion and disease prevention. Social media is changing the nature and speed of health care interaction between consumers and health organizations and research indicates that consumers are increasingly going online and visiting social media sites to get health information. Mafraq Hospital has adopted new technology trends and uses its app and social media to contribute in the education of the community on the importance of a healthy lifestyle across the UAE and ensure patients are aware of all the services available to them.
The number of UAE Facebook users continues to grow as the country has the highest penetration rate amongst all Arab countries at 41 per cent. There are currently 3.6 million active users on Facebook in the UAE and 363,000 users on Twitter. In addition, 77 per cent of UAE smartphone owners visit social networks at least once a day. With the increased use of social networks across the UAE there is no doubt that social media has had a huge impact on society.
"Digital communities and social media are empowering patients, hospitals and medical professionals. Mafraq Hospital's new app and interactive social media platforms allow the medical community to reach beyond the hospital walls to promote better health and wellness." said Mr Ahmed Al Mehairbi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mafraq Hospital. "As a healthcare professional, this technology gives my team the ability to increase patient care and gain a better understanding of the needs of our patients through greater feedback and a more interactive social network."
The social media pages of Mafraq Hospital have sparked conversations between users on various topics to generate buzz, in addition to raising public awareness on various health subjects. A recent social media campaign allowed users to take a 'health age' test which was formulated based on the answers provided on lifestyle, medical state and habits. This helped users to commit to a healthier lifestyle.
Of the total number of users that underwent the test, 44 per cent were female and 55 per cent were males. The 'health age' test results revealed a drastic difference between the physical and health age. In females between the ages of 37-48, results showed that they were 6 years older in their health than their actual age. In males between the ages of 37-59, results showed that their health age was 8 years older than their actual age.
Mr Al Mehairbi added: "Online communication channels such as our app, combined with social media, promote digital and real community interaction. The increased use of technology by patients and consumers gives hospitals and medical professionals an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle habits and ensures we are aware of the needs, requirements and expectations of our community in turn. Our current campaign reaches out to doctors in training, residents for our Emergency Department - this is allowing us to play a key role in the education and development of the country's future physicians."
Online applications are transforming the healthcare industry as they are being used to help medical professionals interact with patients, promote healthy living, and increase the overall quality of care around the world. Social media offers a new opportunity to communicate evidence based health knowledge to consumers and patients and to disseminate evidence based medicine to health professionals. More and more patients are seeking health information through social media. Social media gives patients power as it increases their access to medical knowledge and professionals, which allows them more opportunities to optimize their own health and wellness.
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About Mafraq Hospital
Mafraq Hospital opened in 1983 and is one of the largest referral treatment hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, with 451 licensed beds. Its specialist services include medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, as well as surgical and critical care services. In addition, Mafraq Hospital is a leading trauma centre and operates the largest burn unit in the country. Mafraq Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA).
Mafraq Hospital physicians are amongst the best in their specialist fields with international qualifications and world class expertise. The medical team is supported by capable and professional nursing and paramedical staff who are well trained and motivated to provide quality healthcare services. Mafraq Hospital is fully committed to Emiratization and has developed a comprehensive Emiratization plan to attract more Emirati talent.
Mafraq Hospital has been recognized twice by the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Awards and recently by the Dubai Quality Awards for outstanding efforts in improving medical standards, providing exceptional patient care and its adherence to business best practice. Mafraq Hospital earned accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) in 2011 and International re - accreditation in 2014, and has received the CAP Laboratory Accreditation from College of American Pathologists. Mafraq Hospital has been accredited for its ACGME-I programmes and won the 2011 International Business Awards for the category 'Customer Service Team of the Year' in recognition of its innovative Mafraq Ambassadors programme (also known as the Stevie Awards).
To service the growing regional community, SEHA is investing US $750 million to build a new Mafraq Hospital campus which is due to open in 2017. The new facility will serve as the community hospital for one of the fastest growing areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, whilst continuing to align its goals with those of the Executive Council and Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.
For more information please visit:
Website: www.mafraqhospital.ae
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MafraqHospitalUAE
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/MafraqHospital (@MafraqHospital)
Linkedin: mafraq-hospital
Instagram: @Mafraq_Hospital
About the SEHA HealthSystem and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA)
SEHA is health in Arabic. The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC- whose marketing identity is SEHA - is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem. SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing our customers and communities served world-class healthcare. SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals. These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Fresenius Medical Care. SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with approximately 2,500 beds, more than 62 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ.
Visit our website at www.seha.ae.
For media information, contact
Amanda Banham - Marketing & Communications
Mafraq Hospital
T: +971 2 501 2443
E: ajbanham@mafraqhospital.ae
Fadya Al Katheeri -Marketing & Communications
Mafraq Hospital
T: +971 2 501 2068
E: falkathairi@mafraqhospital.ae
© Press Release 2015
