The DHA in association with the AHA has worked to produce the first Arabic course manual and DVD on First Aid & CPR for the benefit of the Arabic speaking population.

This course is the first American Heart Association course to be translated into Arabic Language.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, April 7 2010: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in association with the American Heart Association (AHA) has chalked out an Arabic translation of the AHA's successful Heart Saver First Aid course, in order to reach out to a larger number of the population living and working in Dubai and the Arab world.

The course, first launched in Dubai, is the first Arabic course produced by the AHA. The contents of the course are the same as the AHA's First Aid Heart Saver course. The translation was done thought a professional organization and reviewed by a team of Arab healthcare professionals, lead by regional AHA faculty from the Dubai Health Authority.

Dr Khalil Qayed, Director of Medical Education Department at the DHA said, "This partnership is a fruit of our existing long-term association with the AHA in life support and simulation training. The need to have an Arabic course in addition to the existing English one stems from the common belief that both organizations share, which is the need to train more people in First Aid & CPR, so that we can help save more lives in Dubai. Thus, we decided to work on an Arabic language course because it gives us the opportunity to reach out to a larger audience base, as well as give emphasis to our Arabic identity."

Glenn M. Vanden Houten,  Territory Director - Europe & Africa,  Acting Territory Director - Middle East from the American Heart Association said, "Effective CPR can help make the difference between life and death, buying valuable time and increasing the likelihood that the victim can successfully be defibrillated by an electric shock. It is a universal opportunity:  the more people and bystanders who are trained and aware of their ability, the more lives that will be saved."

The course is aimed to reach out to the public said Dr Mohamed Nasaif, Head of Professional Development Center at the Medical Education Department in DHA. " The AHA is one of the most renowned in the world in Emergency Cardiovascular Care training. This course covers many emergency situations where first aid intervention is essential. This includes providing first aid for heart attacks, stroke, epilepsy, chocking, asthma, etc. Research has time and time again shown that correct and timely bystander intervention can significantly improve patient outcome.

The seven-hour training program is expected to begin next month and the DHA will provide this training by reaching out to different focus groups.  Dr Nasaif said, "We aim to begin by training Dubai Government Employees particularity those working in airports and other such places that have a high volume of people at any given point in time."

He said that the DHA will also provide training for schools and sports clubs. Individuals from the General Public, interested in upgrading their skills will also be welcome. This also applies to institutions who would like to train their staff; especially those contemplating to purchase Automated External Defibrillators - AEDs - for their facilities.

"The importance of training people in First Aid and CPR cannot be over emphasized," he said.

-Ends-   

The DHA:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has been empowered to set policy and strategy for health, and to assure the application of that health policy and strategy. The DHA leads an integrated approach across the spectrum of health, anticipating our future needs and being responsive to users. It will stimulate growth and innovation in the health market, ensuring value for money and quality of services through effective regulation.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) structure will ensure that health services are better positioned to meet the demand for better healthcare services in the future. The DHA will work to:

  • Provide a Health Strategy for Dubai that will meet the needs of the predicted growth and change in population.

  • Ensure Public Health is protected and quality of life improved.

  • Ensure partnership between public and private health service providers, bringing together the best international experience to ensure we deliver the best health system possible.

  • Achieve international accreditation of healthcare services delivered across the Emirate by ensuring world-class quality and standards of healthcare.

  • Ensure effective regulation and licensing across the Dubai Health Sector guaranteeing the quality of health services provided.

  • Increase the transparency and accountability of the healthcare system.

  • Drive efficiency so that funding is spent on the most effective healthcare for those who need it.

  • Improve accessibility to the healthcare system and sustainability for the future.

  • Deliver the best training and education opportunities for Dubai healthcare practitioners.  

For more information, please contact
Kamakshi Gupta
Communications Analyst
Institutional Marketing and Communications Department, DHA
klgupta@dha.gov.ae
009714- 2197455

© Press Release 2010