United Arab Emirates, Dubai, February 3, 2014: In line with the federal extended program for immunization ( EPI), the DHA announced today that all child health clinics in DHA's primary healthcare centres will provide rotavirus vaccine to children born in 2014.

Dr Ahmad bin Kalban, CEO of Hospital Services Sector and Shared Support Sector at the DHA said: "The vaccine will be provided free-of-cost to local and expatriate babies born this year, who have a valid DHA health card and are eligible under the EPI scheme."

Dr Ali Sayed, Director of Pharmacy at the DHA said:   "Rota virus is an oral vaccine provided in two doses- the first dose is for children aged two months and the second dose is provided at four months. It is an oral vaccine and helps prevent against rotavirus gastroenteritis which is a severe condition that often leads to hospitalization. Rotavirus gastroenteritis causes severe lose motions, vomiting and fever. We are very glad that this vaccine will now be part of the updated childhood vaccination schedule."

Kalban added: "Eligibility for obtaining this vaccine from DHA PHCs is for babies born on or after 1st of January 2014.The  DHA primary healthcare centres will begin administering the first dose of this vaccine for babies who have completed two months."

For further information, please call the DHA call centre on 800 342.

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 2014