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DHA opens new traveller clinic in Dubai

Dubai, July 21, 2013

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has opened a second branch of its traveller clinic in the Al Barsha area of Dubai, providing medical counselling and requisite vaccinations to people who travel abroad.

The clinic at Al Barsha Primary Healthcare Centre follows the first one opened in Al Mankhool area in the city,  which, since its opening in 2007, has seen a steady rise in the number of visitors.

Dr Ahmed Ibrahim bin Kalban, CEO of primary health sector at the DHA said: “The Al Barsha Primary Healthcare Centre is conveniently located and provides easy access to residents of newer areas of Dubai including Jebel Ali. The new centre is fitted out with the latest equipment and has state-of-the-art facilities and ample parking.”

He said the traveller clinic concept has become increasingly popular with the community due to growing awareness about the need to take healthcare precautions before travelling.

“Geographical proximity of Dubai to other countries has resulted in high volume of travel, making this service increasingly important to protect the health of the community,” Dr Kalban said.

In 2011, 11,813 visitors used the service as compared to 17,230 visitors in 2012, a 46 per cent increase in one year.

“The Mankhool traveller clinic receives a maximum of 80 patients per day. Given the rise in numbers, we decided to expand this service,” said Dr Kalban.

“At the DHA travel clinic we provide vaccinations, medication and advice travellers about the precautionary measures they should take when travelling abroad. This is especially applicable to people who visit high endemic areas where there is a higher risk of contracting communicable diseases.”

He said the clinic follows the protocols of the Centre for Disease Control and provides the latest information on health requirements for travel to 200 destinations.

Dr Fatima Al Attar, head of preventative services at the DHA said that the travel clinic is a WHO certified registered yellow fever immunisation centre in Dubai. It also provides vaccinations such as hepatitis B, influenza vaccine and malaria medication.

“It is important that people visit us at least four weeks before they travel because some of the vaccines take a few weeks to become effective. We provide customised health travel solutions to individuals as per their requirement and this includes advice on food and hygiene,” Dr Al Attar said.

“A significant percentage of our customers are travellers who require a medical fitness certificate which states that they are free of any communicable diseases and thus are eligible to travel abroad. This certificate is required by certain embassies,” she added. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Dubai Health Authority | DHA |

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