The Emirates Health Service celebrated the International Day of the Family Doctors, which falls on May 19 each year, at the Museum of the Future in Dubai as part of its ongoing efforts to elevate the status of family doctors and highlight their essential role in strengthening the health system.
Her Excellency Mubaraka Mubarak, Acting Executive Director of the Information Sector at EHS, and Aisha Muhammad Suhail, Director of the Primary Health Care Department at EHS, and Dr. Karimah Al-Raisi, Head of the Medical Professional Affairs Department at EHS, attended the event with the active participation of Dr. Marc André Cornier and the directors of various EHS departments.
H.E. Mubaraka Mubarak, Acting Executive Director of EHS’ Information Sector, congratulated all family doctors on this occasion, and underlined EHS’ commitment to supporting and enhancing their status. “We believe in encouraging physicians to specialise in family medicine, which is one of our objectives. They contribute to preventive healthcare, which complements our focus on developing a healthcare system that adheres to international best practices. We promote digital services that provide the family with easy access to a range of services, such as primary emergency care and family medicine services.”
She added: "Celebrating International Family Doctor's Day is an opportunity to emphasise the significance of this important medical specialty, which is a critical pillar in improving the healthcare system and fostering an integrated environment. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the contribution of family doctors, who deserve gratitude and respect for their commitment and role in improving the healthcare sector.”
She said EHS had developed strategies and long-term plans in line with the UAE Centennial 2070, with the aim of advancing the skills of family physicians as well as setting standards and mechanisms to elevate their status, highlight their critical role in providing care, prevention, and treatment, addressing health crises and achieving successful outcomes for sustainable development.
The ceremony featured a film presentation showcasing the family doctor’s personality and life, as well as an overview of their efforts, sacrifices, and challenges. The event also featured a lecture titled "Preventing, Treating, and Environmental Impact of Obesity" by Dr. Marc Andre. He discussed ways to prevent obesity, treatment, and environmental impact, as well as highlighted the "Your everlasting generosity" initiative, which aims to promote sustainable practices in health centres by recycling the doctor's coat.
The event also witnessed the launch of the sustainability project, ‘Paperless Care’, which aims to achieve sustainability in everyday practices as well as the adoption of modern technology and innovation. It aims to transform all processes into a comprehensive digital system that ensures the documentation of information in secure and trustworthy ways, without the use of paper. All sponsors of the event were also honoured.