Abu Dhabi: UAE gets first representative in WHO’s palliative care network

Abu Dhabi: UAE gets first representative in WHO’s palliative care network

Every two years, the organisation appoints experts, which comprises regional and international experts

Published: Sat 7 May 2022, 6:54 PM

Abu Dhabi-based British doctor has become the first representative from the UAE in the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional palliative care expert network.

Dr Neil A. Nijhawan, director for palliative care at Burjeel Medical City and head of palliative care at Burjeel Darak Hospice in Abu Dhabi, has been appointed by the WHO as a member of the Eastern Mediterranean Region Expert Network on Palliative Care.

The network, which covers the Mena area, was established in 2019 to develop the region’s palliative care – specialised medical care for people living with life-threatening illness. Every two years, the WHO appoints experts to the network, which comprises regional and international experts and is divided into sub-groups to deliver on different areas of work.

According to the hospital, Dr Nijhawan is also the first palliative care consultant to be licensed in Abu Dhabi. Dr Nijhawan is excited at being the first representative from the UAE in the network.

“The purpose of the network is to raise and improve palliative care awareness in the region. I would like to use this opportunity as a platform for advocacy for palliative care