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Dubai - The Health Regulation Department of the Dubai Health Authority(DHA) has recently issued guidelines for platelet rich plasma(PRP) therapy, which is a treatment that has gained significant popularly over the last few years.
PRP therapy uses plasma ( a blood product) that is rich in platelets to enhance tissue regeneration and healing through the use of one's own blood and natural growth factors. PRP are injected in the body and the platelets contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which are very important in the healing of injuries. These growth factors stimulate tissue recovery by increasing collagen production, enhancing stem cell proliferation, stimulating blood flow and hence, causing the cartilage to become more firm and resilient.
Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Regulation and the Dubai Medical Tourism initiative, said: "Healthcare professionals have seen a relatively more robust response and significant improvement in tissue health with this therapy. The popularity of the treatment has increased over the years and since it is a significantly complex procedure that requires special equipment, the regulation department decided to regulate and control this practice in the Emirate of Dubai in order to promote patient safety and ensure the procedure is performed by experts who use the right equipment in the right setting."
Al Marzouqi said the Department has developed and issued, "Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Guidelines" in order to assist health facilities and healthcare professionals in performing safe procedures and promoting patient education. This guideline specify professional experience and training requirements that healthcare professionals must have in order to practice this therapy.
Al Marzouqi highlighted that this treatment promotes healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, joints, and other various musculoskeletal problems. "PRP injections have improved function and decreased pain in various maladies, including but not limited to elbow, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle. In addition to its wide use in sports medicine, PRP has been also used in dental and oral surgery and to aid in soft tissue recovery following plastic surgery, spinal surgery, heart bypass surgery and burns."
She added that it is important for regulations to keep pace with the advancements in medicine to promote patient safety and ensure delivery of high quality healthcare.
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About the Dubai Health Authority
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General of the DHA.
The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.
The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
© Press Release 2015
