UEMedical and Camali Clinic to Provide New Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Abu Dhabi
INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS REVEAL HIGH INCIDENCE RATE OF CHILDREN MENTAL DISORDERS WORLD-WIDE
30 January 2016, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Over 1,000 healthcare professionals attendedthe 4th International Child and Family Behavioral Health Conference in Abu Dhabi from 28 – 30January 2016. Key speakers and physicians discussed different mental disorders that effects children including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorders, dysmorphic disorders, autism, and other mental and behavioral disorders.
Dr. Fareeha Amber Sadiq, Lead Consultant Psychiatrist for Children and Adolescents at Camali Clinic in Dubai, and one of the speakers at the conference said, “Around one in five children in the world experience significant mental health or emotional issues as per World Health Organization, and half of mental disorders in adulthood begin before the age of fourteen. We see an important role for early intervention, improving quality of life and supporting young people’s emotional development.”
Dr. Haneen Jarrar, Child Psychologistat Camali Clinic in Dubai, also introduced to the attendants their newly launched program, School Readiness, as a unique model that aims to bridge the gap between home schooling and mainstream schools for children with special needs. She said,“Official government figures estimate that 1 in 68 children in United States will be affected with autism in 2016 (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). It is estimated that around 40% would require specialized education services. Figures in the Middle East are almost similar. More healthcare facilities and supporting programs such as our School Readiness program should be considered.”
At the conference, Camali Clinic Dubai- a leading child and adolescent mental health service-and United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), Abu Dhabi’s leading privately owned healthcare development and investment company, signedan official cooperation agreement to jointly deliver child and adolescent mental health services in Abu Dhabi. UEMedical owns the new flagship Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children, and HealthPlus chain of medical centers across Abu Dhabi.
Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa, CEO & Managing Director of UEMedical and Chairman of HealthPlus, said, “Our collaboration comes in line with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to fulfilling a gap in the delivery of children mental health services in Abu Dhabi and increase access to high quality services. It represents another step for UEMedical in the realization of the UAE leaders’ vision to provide the people of UAE with the highest standards of healthcare facilities.”
Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus also stated, “By the second quarter of 2016,Camali Clinic will be providing mental health services for children with emotional, behavioral or learning difficulties at our recently launched HealthPlus Children’s Specialty Center in Abu Dhabi. With this significant agreement, a psychiatrist led team of highly qualified clinicians from Camali Clinic will be leading the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Department in our center offering clinical services best suited for our population that would be consistent with the high standards, procedures and outstanding outcomes for which both organizations are reputed for.”
“Our collaboration with UEMedical, represents another positive step for Camali Clinic in fulfilling our vision of establishing a dynamic center of excellence; providing holistic child and adolescent mental health services to the UAE and the wider region. There will be an ongoing drive from Camali Clinic to raise awareness amongst the local community including schools and other professionals working with children,” added Dr. Amber.
Camali Clinic, a member of The Quality Network for Community CAMHS (QNCC), an initiative of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK), reinforces the commitment to improve clinical outcomes through linking with local renowned partners. Camali Clinic Consultants will be offering child and adolescent mental health service in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with HealthPlus Children’s Specialty Center for young people upto 18 years of age who are experiencing emotional, behavioral or learning difficulties; as well as addressing the current gaps in mental health care provision.
