Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector has witnessed significant growth in accredited home healthcare providers, with 58 providers now offering services to the community, adhering to international best practices and standards. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) announced the accreditation of these providers, emphasizing their commitment to elevating healthcare outputs and services in the Emirate.
However, in pursuit of ensuring top-notch healthcare services, DoH also revealed that 12 home healthcare providers had their licenses cancelled due to their inability to meet the set standards outlined in the developed model for home healthcare services.
The model, introduced earlier by the Department, established a range of requirements and standards for home healthcare providers, including international accreditations, their capacity to offer continuous health services, geographical coverage, and proximity to beneficiaries’ residences. Additionally, the model required providers to meet the minimum number of patients specified.
In 2022 alone, home healthcare providers catered to over 4,600 beneficiaries, offering a diverse array of services. These services encompassed home nursing care, speech therapy, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, home hemodialysis, and specialized visits to senior citizens and people with determination.
Since the implementation of the enhanced home healthcare model, DoH has been collaborating closely with providers to ensure high-quality and easily accessible healthcare services for Emirate residents. The aim is to secure continuous access to specialized care for all those in need.
Several aspects related to home healthcare services were addressed during this process. DoH introduced clear guidelines to assess the eligibility of service beneficiaries, provided clarity on the services offered within home healthcare, and defined the licensing requirements for providers.
The evaluation of beneficiaries’ eligibility for home healthcare services follows several essential criteria, including diagnosing the condition necessitating home care and determining the required treatment and nursing care. Based on these criteria, the appropriate service provider is selected to cater to the specific health condition of each patient.
In 2021, DoH launched the enhanced model for home healthcare services to ensure the continued availability and access of services for eligible patients. These upgrades have significantly contributed to improving the health and well-being of Abu Dhabi residents by offering exemplary and timely patient-centered services. As the number of accredited providers continues to grow, the Emirate’s healthcare landscape is further strengthened, promising a brighter and healthier future for the community.
