Dubai, UAE:  A pioneering initiative aimed at reducing the risk of medicine overdose amongst the blue collared workforce in Dubai will be launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the near future.

The initiative addresses the issue of illiteracy and language barriers that can lead to blue-collar workers not being sure of their medication dosage and therefore risking an overdose. 

The pilot project will be launched soon and will involve the DHA working with a range of pharmacies and government hospitals in the first phase, before planning to introduce it across the nation.

There are currently 75,000 blue collar workers employed in Dubai, with a vast majority of these coming from rural areas from around the region and also from the Asian sub-continent covering India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

 While all workers are provided with healthcare benefits in Dubai, there is no prescription system developed for those who have trouble reading or understanding a different language.  Therefore, medications have traditionally been consumed based on what was informed verbally or through handwritten indications.

The solution to the issue has come in the form of a simple pictorial prescription sticker, which pharmacies and government hospitals have been encouraged to place on their medication packaging. Called “RX Prescription Stickers” they clearly indicate through very clear images all the key instructions including the frequency and time of consumption as well as the duration of the course. 

The use of common and basic symbols has been utilized to ensure fool-proof comprehension by the patient. 

Several key pharmacies frequented by blue-collared workers will be part of the pilot project and their feedback, response and effectiveness will be monitored over a two-month period.   The aim is to accommodate revision before the unique system becomes a mandate throughout Dubai.  It will be used at 247 registered pharmacies and government hospitals across the Emirate.

Dr Ali Al Sayed, Director of the Pharmaceutical Services Department at the DHA  said: “The risk of overdose amongst people who can’t read or understand an alien language has been high, so we are delighted to be introducing this solution, which is very simple but highly effective.  We believe that it will be a success because the sticker system is quick and easy to use so pharmacies and dispensing hospital departments are expected to welcome this new system .   

Patients can now be reassured that they are taking the right dosage, at the right time and for the correct period. 

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Mahmoud Al Ali

Head of Media

Dubai Health Authority

myalali@dha.gov.ae

+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal

Communications Analysts- Media Dept.

Dubai Health Authority

klgupta@dha.gov.ae  nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae 

+9714 2197455

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 Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

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 2018

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