Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates : Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), one of the UAE’s largest hospitals for serious and complex care and a joint-venture partnership between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) and Mayo Clinic, launched its inaugural Trauma Week to raise awareness amongst its staff and members of the public on how to avoid injuries and equip bystanders on techniques to help while waiting for emergency responders.

Inaugurated by His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), SSMC’s Trauma Week launched with an executive briefing on trauma care in Abu Dhabi, attended by representatives from key organizations involved in trauma responses, such as Abu Dhabi Police, the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi Trauma Systems Committee, and SSMC leadership, amongst others. Following the meeting, the committee, alongside an esteemed delegation, toured the hospital’s Trauma Week events, which exhibit the latest in operational tools and resources that assist trauma response.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the DoH, said: “Despite the global pandemic and with the valuable support of the UAE’s wise leadership and their directives, Abu Dhabi’s health care sector continues to advance and develop, implementing new and innovative strategies to become one of the best health care systems in the world. One of the most important systems this includes is the effective response to trauma. Trauma care is not a service that can be provided in isolation – the responsibility of rapidly responding to a situation and ensuring members of the public receive the care they require in the appropriate timeframe falls on all of us. It is increasingly important that the authorities, first responders, and health care facilities work together seamlessly to ensure the process of responding to a dire situation, transferring the patient, and treating the patient, is as concise and efficient as possible.

“SSMC’s Trauma Week serves that purpose – this observance is one of many examples that exemplify the culture of collaboration and strength in capabilities amongst the numerous response and health care organizations, acting as one robust unit. This very collaboration is a key factor in Abu Dhabi’s recognition as the leading city globally in its response to the pandemic by Deep Knowledge Group.

“By gathering decision makers and policy drivers amongst the capital’s key organizations involved in a trauma, we are evaluating the way we respond to trauma – what is working well, and how can we improve, to ensure the people of Abu Dhabi are quickly, and carefully, protected.”

During the tour, His Excellency Abdullah and the delegation observed the teachings of the ‘Stop the Bleed’ course, an internationally-recognized course that educates members of the community on how to effectively control bleeding following an injury. The delegation also visited booths that allow for, encourage, and increase awareness around blood donation, organ donation, pediatric injury prevention, and burn prevention. They were also preview to the latest technologies in the field of trauma care, developed both locally and internationally.

In addition to awareness and educational activities for SSMC’s staff and community members, Abu Dhabi Police exhibited the latest technologies and resources utilized to limit and respond to car crashes. In a study completed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, road traffic is reporting to be the leading cause of death amongst injury deaths, with car crashes causing 65.1% of road traffic accidents. At SSMC’s emergency department, falls and car crashes, particularly those not involving a seat belt, are the cause of 70% of trauma admissions.

Dr. Naser Ammash, Chief Executive Officer, SSMC, said: “We are honored for SSMC to host such an important event as the launch of SSMC Trauma Week. With trauma being among the most common causes of death in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, SSMC Trauma Week is a great opportunity that focuses on providing injury prevention, training and education to our hospital visitors, staff, and the community. It is an important milestone for the future of trauma care in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

“With SSMC being the major Trauma Centre in Abu Dhabi, we are committed to improving trauma care, not only at our facility but also before trauma patients reach our premises. Our trauma program, in partnership with the UAE Military Service Corps and the US Department of Defence, accelerates SSMC’s journey towards achieving verification as a Level 1 Trauma Centre by the American College of Surgeons through the Trauma Burn Rehabilitation Medicine mission. This verification will position SSMC on the international stage as the center committed to providing the highest quality of care for critically injured patients.

“We, at SSMC, have a key responsibility to join forces with our partners from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police, UAE Military Service Corps, National Ambulance, and others. Not to mention the US Department of Defense, whose members are actively participating in improving our trauma capabilities at SSMC including emergency, rehabilitation and critical care physicians, trauma surgeons and nurses. In addition, SSMC will continue working alongside its parent organizations, SEHA and Mayo Clinic, as well as UAE authorities and first responders to ensure the provision of prompt and best-in-class health care to all those in emergency situations in the UAE, and the wider region.”

SSMC is an integral part of the joint, multinational Trauma, Burn and Rehabilitative Medicine (TBRM) program in the United Arab Emirates, along with the UAE Armed Forces and US Military. As SSMC continues its journey pioneering health care in the UAE, solidifying its status as a world renowned trauma center, and strives towards achieving accreditation as a Level 1 Trauma Center, the facility will continue working alongside SEHA and Mayo Clinic, and the UAE’s authorities and first responders, to ensure the provision of prompt and best-in-class health care to all those in emergency situations in the UAE and the wider region.

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About Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC)

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the UAE’s largest health care network, and Mayo Clinic, a non-profit global leader in medical care, education and research headquartered in the United States of America. Established in 2019, SSMC is the largest tertiary hospital in the UAE and serves to elevate the provision of health care services in the nation under the mandate of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.

Supported by the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities available, SSMC offers care in 24 specialties. A team of locally and internationally trained physicians and allied health staff work seamlessly together, which promotes comprehensive interdisciplinary learning, allowing SSMC to become a leading hub for integrated patient-centric medical services in the region.

As the region’s leading tertiary facility, SSMC has 742 patient beds, 18 operating theatres and includes a hybrid operating room, 26 neonatal intensive care units and the UAE’s largest pathology lab.

For more information on Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City or to book an appointment, visit https://ssmcabudhabi.ae/ .

About SEHA

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–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.

SEHA is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy.

SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 13 hospitals with 3,385 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 117,162 inpatients annually and conduct 43,262 surgeries, as well as treating more than five million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel. Learn more at www.seha.ae 

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and Mayo Clinic Facts for more information about Mayo.

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