The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has announced the launch of the Patient Safety Friendly Hospitals initiative, a significant step in its strategy to guarantee the provision of high-quality healthcare services in line with international best practices. Launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the initiative,aims to improve patient safety by Developing accredited standards that enhance the performance of hospitals in accordance with international practices.
The WHO-led programme encourages the adoption of safe health practices in medical facilities. It offers a comprehensive set of standards and a framework that empowers hospitals to enhance the safety of patient care, as well as a thorough assessment of hospital performance regarding patient safety. It also seeks to bolster staff competencies in this field and engages patients in activities aimed at promoting healthcare quality.
The initiative’s launch follows the training of a national team in collaboration with WHO to obtain accreditation as national evaluators for the initiative. Additionally, the first two hospitals in the country to obtain the title of “patient safety-friendly hospitals” were evaluated and accredited: Fujairah Hospital of the Emirates Health Services and Mediclinic City Hospital.
Quality of Services
HE Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said: “The quality and safety of healthcare services are foundational elements in the evolution of our healthcare system. We aspire for the UAE to set a global standard in healthcare service quality and patient safety.”
“Health entities in the country have spared no effort to improve the level of patient safety at all stages of service delivery. Through collaborative efforts with international institutions and organizations, particularly the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, along with government and private healthcare entities, has formulated comprehensive health policies, plans, and interventions across various domains. These initiatives are meticulously crafted with specific objectives, operating in tandem to synergistically enhance the quality of healthcare services,”Al Randadded.
A study conducted across six countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region revealed that 18% of hospital admissions were linked to patient harm caused by medical interventions, with 83% of these cases deemed preventable.
Just recently, the Ministry has organized a training workshop for the National Assessors Team, comprising 20 trainees from various health sectors within the country. The workshop, attended by WHO specialists and HE Dr Al Rand, featured sessions discussing the WHO’s priorities in patient safety and safety standards in hospitals, as well as the methodologies for their effective operational implementation.
The workshop included interactive sessions to exchange ideas and experiences. Following these sessions, the team conducted visits to Fujairah and Mediclinic City Hospitals, engaging in a three-day evaluation to ascertain their adherence to the standards of patient safety-friendly hospitals.
