Quality of Hospital Services
Health Issues
The availability of high-quality, comprehensive, and timely hospital services promotes the health outcomes of the greatest number of people. Regions or societies associated with effective health systems will record positive results, including reduced infections, low mortality rates, and unnecessary disabilities (Campbell, 2017). This domain can be expanded to include insurance cover, timely care, and superior medical services.
Three key steps are needed to ensure that more people have access to desirable medical services. The first one is the provision of health insurance to all citizens. The second one is the presence of physical hospitals and facilities in different cities or towns across the UAE. The last one is the availability of competent physicians and caregivers in every facility. The presence of these attributes will meet the medical needs of the greatest number of people and transform their health outcomes. These issues explain why there is a need for the UAE government to take this domain seriously and make it part of the proposed Healthy People 2020-2030 Plan. The beneficiaries will be in a position to pursue and achieve their social and economic aims.
Literature Review
In the UAE, various strategies and programs have been put in place to meet the medical needs of the greatest number of citizens. The government has established a ministry that focuses on key areas and policies that will improve the availability of health services (Jeffries, 2015). An insurance program exists whereby enrollees can benefit by receiving high-quality medical support whenever they fall ill (“Access to health,” n.d.). The ministry has also ensured that there are adequate referral hospitals and clinics in different regions across this country.
Unfortunately, most of these strategies have not made the country one of the healthiest in the region. This happens to be the case since there numerous barriers that make it impossible for many citizens to receive timely and high-quality medical services. The leading barriers include the absence of adequate facilities or clinics, inadequate insurance coverage across the UAE, lack of critical services, and the increasing cost of medical care or support (“Determinants of health,” n.d.). These issues make it impossible for more people to record positive health outcomes in the country. Individuals encounter these challenges when looking for medical services: delays, financial burdens, and unmet needs.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention has managed to introduce superior measures in an attempt to improve access and availability of medical services. This objective has been achieved by introducing programs that educate citizens to avoid risky behaviors, seek medical screening frequently, and ensure that all children receive vaccinations in a timely manner ((“Access to health,” n.d.). Despite such strategies, there are still numerous inequalities that make it impossible for many people to access specific medical services in the country (“Access to health,” n.d.). The current healthcare system is also ineffective or incapable of providing proper care to all the citizens in the country.
The use of modern technologies and health informatics is something that the government has not taken seriously. This means that there is a need for the government to consider these issues and implement evidence-based strategies to record positive gains. Such achievements will meet the changing demands of more UAE citizens.
Indicator
The indicator for this domain is the ability of different people to access health services. When an individual plans to receive adequate services, chances are high that he or she will record positive health outcomes. Currently, 1 in every 5 citizens in UAE is unable to receive regular or high-quality medical services (Campbell, 2017). This domain, therefore, seeks to increase this number within the next five years.
Objective
The main objective for this domain is to increase the number health facilities and hospitals that can provide high-quality and exemplary services to more people in this country (“Access to health,” n.d.). This achievement means that every emirate will have more clinics and facilities. They should also be equipped with adequate resources, equipment, and support systems.
Target
The target for this domain is to increase the number of citizens who have access to high-quality medical services from different health facilities by 50 percent before 2025. Additional clinics and hospitals will have increased since number significantly by the year 2030.
Diabetes
Health Issues
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a condition that occurs when the body is incapable of producing insulin. This hormone is useful in the body since it aids in the use and absorption of glucose (Sreedharan et al., 2015). There are two types of this condition. These include type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The first one occurs when the human body is incapable of producing adequate insulin. The second type is usually associated with insufficient insulin production.
The number of people affected by DM in the UAE and across the world is on the rise. Sherif and Sumpio (2015) indicate that most of the patients are undiagnosed or unaware of the condition. Without proper management or control of diabetes, the affected individuals will find it hard to record positive health outcomes. The condition is a risk factor for premature death if individuals and professionals do not use adequate mechanisms to deal with it. Statistics also reveal that DM is one of the leading causes of death in the UAE (Omar, Khudada, Safarini, Mehanna, & Nafach, 2016). It also exposes victims or individuals to the risk of heart or cardiovascular diseases. Other complications include adult-onset blindness, amputation of lower limp, and kidney failure.
Literature Review
In the UAE, several initiatives have been put in place to address the health challenges associated with diabetes. This means that certain achievements have been made in respect to this domain. For instance, different emirates have managed to introduce superior services in different health facilities and hospitals (Shah et al., 2017). This has initiative has proliferated the number of programs aimed at preventing this condition. This is achieved through the use of educational campaigns targeting different groups across the country.
The issue of testing is being taken seriously than ever before. This means that individuals across the UAE are empowered to have their health conditions diagnosed or monitored frequently. The underling rationale is that those who are suffering from DM will seek appropriate services and manage the condition successfully (Samad, Samad, & Abdallah, 2017). The government has also implemented different programs and treatment guidelines that can ensure that those who have diabetes receive adequate support.
Unfortunately, several challenges continue to affect the kind or level of progress that has been made so far in this country. The first one is that testing and diagnostic procedures are not available to all citizens across the country. The outcome has been that more people are unaware of their statuses (“Diabetes,” n.d.). This gap makes it impossible for them to receive timely support, thereby being at risk of increased mortality rates. Secondly, most of the existing facilities and clinics lack adequate resources that can support the health needs of the affected citizens across the country.
Individuals from rural areas are usually unable to receive timely diabetes-related medical care and support. This has been the case because of various gaps, such as poor infrastructure and the availability of skilled caregivers. The increasing number of immigrants has complicated the situation since the government is usually unable to meet the health needs of these individuals. The existing healthcare system is also incapable of improving the quality of support available to patients with DM (Klautzer, Becker, & Mattke, 2014). The increasing number of individuals at risk of this condition is something that has strained the country’s health system and resources.
Indicator
The most appropriate indicator for this domain is the number of new DM cases recorded every year. This rate can inform evidence-based strategies and initiatives to support the needs of more persons affected by this health condition.
Objective
The targeted objective is to reduce the burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the UAE. This means that the implementation of appropriate measures will ensure that individuals who are at risk of this condition lead high-quality lives (Jeffries, 2015). This is also expected to be the same case for patients who have this terminal condition.
Target
The target for this domain is to ensure that all people with DM lead high-quality lives. This expectation will be achieved by introducing superior support systems and addressing most of the barriers to evidence-based medical support (Hooper, 2016). They should also have access to adequate insulin and guidance to manage their conditions successfully.
Genetic Screening for Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Diseases
Health Issues
Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are two major health challenges many people in the UAE face. This is a unique condition that people inherit from their parents. It is known to affect hemoglobin. This compound plays a crucial role in carrying or transporting oxygen in the body. Persons affected by this medical condition will have to receive specialised medical care for the rest of their lives (Salama & Saleh, 2016). It is also notable that such patients might find it hard to achieve their potential.
People who have sickle cell disease will record or experience a number of challenges. For example, they can have prolonged episodes of pain or life-threatening medical conditions can develop. Such patients will also be anemic since their bodies will be unable to carry or transport oxygen to vital organisation. Babies who have inherited this condition after birth should receive timely treatment, antibiotics, and immunisations (Salama & Saleh, 2016). Such individuals will also be in need of continuous or multidisciplinary support if they are to lead healthier lives.
Individuals suffering from thalassemia will be extremely anemic. This means that they should receive blood transfusions within three to five weeks. They should also take medicines throughout their lives in order to lead quality lives. Within this kind of information, it is usually necessary for people to screen for these conditions and get the right medical advice and support (Salama & Saleh, 2016). Those whose parents or relatives had these diseases will be at risk of getting affected children. Timely screening procedures can ensure that the needs of such children are met, thereby making it possible for them to have better lives.
Literature Review
The UAE government supports the screening of sickle cell disease and thalassemia in different health facilities. Currently, such services are available to pregnancy women. The Ministry of Health and Prevention provides different resources and opportunities to support different citizens. The targeted beneficiaries also have more options to receive extra tests and determine whether their unborn babies might be affected. Women who have positive test results will be required to advise their partners in order to implement the most appropriate mechanisms to protect their babies (All Zain, 2018). Currently, thalassemia is a condition that requires mandatory testing. The current measures have made it possible for the country to deal with the challenges associated with these two conditions.
Despite these achievements, there are specific challenges that the UAE continues to grapple with in an attempt to achieve meaningful results or outcomes by the year 2030. The first obstacle is that the Ministry of Health has failed to put in place adequate policies and initiatives to guide healthcare professionals whenever screening for these conditions. Secondly, most of the available medical and health resources are directed to other conditions that are deemed serious, including tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS.
Another challenge is that many pregnant women in rural or underserved regions are unaware of the problem of sickle cell diseases and how they can affect the experiences and outcomes of the affected individuals. Including this domain in the UAE healthy people 2020-2030 Plan will ensure that more people receive adequate support. This is the case since around 8.5 percent of citizens in this country carry the thalassemia gene but they are unaware about it (All Zain, 2018). The use of powerful strategies will address this health issue and improve the health outcomes of more communities.
Indicator
The best indicator for this domain is the number of persons suffering from these two conditions or who carry responsible genes.
Objective
The outlined objective is to increase the number of people who receive screening for sickle cell diseases and thalassemia annually. This means that numerous initiatives will be put in place to guide and encourage more individuals to learn more about these two dangerous medical conditions.
Target
The target for this domain is to ensure that all people in the UAE are tested for these two conditions by the year 2030. This achievement will guide the government to formulating evidence-based policies to ensure that citizens get children who do not have these conditions (All Zain, 2018). This development will make it easier for the government to focus on other medical conditions.
References
Access to health services. (n.d.). Web.
All Zain, A. (2018). Thalassemia carrier population continues to remain high in UAE. Khaleej Times. Web.
Campbell, K. N. (2017). History, passion, and performance. Workplace Health & Safety, 65(4), 164-167. Web.
Determinants of health. (n.d.). Web.
Diabetes. (n.d.). Web.
Hooper, V. D. (2016). The Institute of Medicine report on the future of nursing: Where are we 5 years later? Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 31(5), 367-369. Web.
Jeffries, P. R. (2015). The evolving health care system: The need for nursing education reform. Journal of Professional Nursing, 31(6), 441-443. Web.
Klautzer, L., Becker, J., & Mattke, S. (2014). The curse of wealth – Middle Eastern countries need to address the rapidly rising burden of diabetes. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 2(3), 109-114. Web.
Omar, M. S., Khudada, K., Safarini, S., Mehanna, S., & Nafach, J. (2016). DiabCare survey of diabetes management and complications in the Gulf countries. Indian Journal Endicronology and Metabolism, 20(2), 219-227. Web.
Salama, R. A., & Saleh, A. K. (2016). Effectiveness of premarital screening program for thalassemia and sickle cell disorders in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Journal of Genetic Medicine, 13, 26-30. Web.
Samad, N., Samad, N., & Abdallah, S. (2017). Use of social marketing in diabetes control in the UAE context. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 11(1), 1-7. Web.
Shah, S. M., Ali, R., Loney, T., Aziz, F., ElBarazi, I., Al Dhaheri, S., … Blair, I. (2017). Prevalence of diabetes among migrant women and duration of residence in the United Arab Emirates: A cross sectional study. PLoS ONE, 12(1), e0169949. Web.
Sherif, S., & Sumpio, B. E. (2015). Economic development and diabetes prevalence in MENA countries: Egypt and Saudi Arabia comparison. World Journal of Diabetes, 6(2), 304-311. Web.
Sreedharan, J., Muttappallymyalil, J., al Sharbatti, S., Hassoun, S., Safadi, R., Abderahman, I., … Fouda, A. M. (2015). Incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Emirati residents in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 36(5), 253-257. Web.