Special Olympics UAE awarded 15 medical institutions in Abu Dhabi the Unified Healthcare Provider status in an appreciation ceremony held at the International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress (ISPAH). The nine awarded entities have completed specialized Special Olympics UAE training for medical staff and employees in the healthcare sector who provide care for People of Determination (PoD) with Intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).
The awarded healthcare entities are UE Medical, Healthplus Networks, Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre, Healthpoint Hospital, Danat Al Emarat Hospital, SEHA – Al Towayya Children’s Specialty Centre, SEHA Al Mushrif Children’s Specialty Centre, NMC Royal Khalifa City and NMC Royal the Unified Healthcare Provider Status.
On the occasion, His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, National Director of Special Olympics UAE said: “Medical appointments for People of Determination with intellectual and development disabilities can be concerning for parents or caregivers, the patient, and medical professionals. The Unified Healthcare Providers Program empowers medical staff with knowledge and evidence-based techniques, that can help them understand POD patients, and deliver compassionate healthcare, that is tailored to their specific needs. This program is in line with the Abu Dhabi Strategy for People of Determination 2020-2024 which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. It contributes directly to the healthcare pillar of the strategy, which aims to enhance the availability and quality of medical services offered to POD.”
The Unified Healthcare Providers Program provides training to qualified medical teams and supporting healthcare staff in hospitals and clinics. To receive the status, medical and healthcare facilities must meet certain criteria, and employees across various medical and administrative departments and specialities must attend a 9-hour training and successfully complete the final assessments.
The awarding ceremony took place at the International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress (ISPAH), hosted at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre.
Special Olympics UAE is currently providing Unified Healthcare Providers training to all SEHA clinics across Abu Dhabi, of which two have been successfully accredited. Furthermore, Special Olympics UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai Health Authority, to extend the program to the Emirate.
The Unified Healthcare Providers Program is organized in partnership with the Department of Health, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Applied & Behavioral Training Institute, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education.
