World Family Doctor Day, which comes on the 19th of May and being held this year under the theme “Family doctors on the front line”, has an additional impetus as it coincides with the challenges posed by the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). In this respect, the UAE has been at the forefront of the countries worldwide, thanks to the rapid response of its government system response by harnessing all logistical and human resources. Also, the efforts of the health authorities and sectors have been obvious, while family doctors teamed up with their fellows on the frontline of defense to provide the necessary health care.
His Excellency Dr. Hussein Abdel Rahman Al-Rand, Undersecretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, pointed out that family medicine is one of the international quality standards, through which the cultural and health level of countries is measured and assessed, thanks to its pivotal role in health care systems around the world.
He commended the efforts of family doctors in supporting and assisting their fellow doctors on the frontline of defense to fight COVID-19 and to provide the necessary health care, which contributed to the increased recovery rates.
Al-Rand added: “Although the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, are focused on fighting COVID-19 pandemic as a national health priority, it did not overlook the development of the operational plans to ensure the continuity of its various health services without interruption. One of the key services provided is the family doctor one, due to its pivotal role in preventive and curative healthcare and as a central point in the health system.”
Dr. Aisha Suhail, Director of the Primary Health Care Department, said: “Family doctors are the mainstay of the holistic and patient-centered health care to achieve the goal of universal health coverage. Since the beginning of this year, the key role of family doctors in managing the COVID-19 pandemic has become more apparent, by supporting and assisting the frontline of defense and providing effective health care to the community.”
She added: “While the world is facing the challenges posed by COVID-19 in health, social, and economic fields, the contributions of family doctors were supportive and impactful on managing the health situation.”
Suhail thanked family doctors for their dedication, commitment, courage, and relentless efforts in maintaining people's health and saving patients’ lives, wishing them and the medical cadres good health and the speedy recovery for patients.