Abu Dhabi: Life in Abu Dhabi these days has many benefits, which previously did not exist. However, modernisation has also resulted in a worrying pattern of chronic diseases amongst its residents.
This would be theme of the presentation of Dr Wafa Al Adhami, from the Public Health and Policy department, at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), on the ‘Principals and Regulations of Medical and Professional Ethics', during the First Annual Medical Professional Ethics Conference 2010.
"With 71 per cent of the population at risk of cardiovascular disease [cvd], and a projected increase of 940 cvd deaths per year by 2020, it is the duty of the government and the health professionals to act and develop new and innovative ways to tackle these medical challenges for the welfare of the community," Al Adhami says.
A medical code of ethics in the UAE was started in 1998, by the Ministry of Health, with the aim of promoting and protecting the interest of patients, in accordance with Muslim values and internationally-recognised health care ethics. It's three core values are: competence, respect and integrity.
"Haad seeks to consolidate transparency in decision-making, to promote professional integrity, ensure respect of the rights of health care workers and recipients of health care services alike, and to raise the level of competence of health care professionals," said Dr Omniyat Al Hajiri, head of the ethics committee from the Haad.
Awareness
The conference, organised by Al Noor Hospital Group, in partnership with the UAE University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Services (FMHS), in collaboration with the Haad, is due to take place on November 10, and is expected to host 30 speakers, with an audience of over 500 health care candidates.
Professor Mohammad Baniyas, Dean of the Faculty FMHS, and Dr Kassem Alom, the conference president and managing director of Al Noor Hospital, confirmed that the event will be an annual gathering, to help raise ethical practices in the health care education and research sectors.
"This is the first attempt in exploring ethics that have an impact on the daily lives of patients, health care professionals, academics and research. "Such conferences are vital to openly discuss health care ethical practices, therefore we will make an effort to present it on an annual platform," Dr Ahmad Majid, conference director and assistant managing director at Al Noor Hospital Group, told Gulf News.
