UAE: Experts optimistic about future of mental health, suggest collaboration between entities to improve patient care

UAE: Experts optimistic about future of mental health, suggest collaboration between entities to improve patient care

More specialist nurses, health and social workers being trained to take care of wellbeing of population, says top official

Published: Thu 8 Dec 2022, 9:24 PM Last updated: Thu 8 Dec 2022, 9:29 PM

UAE mental health experts said that collaboration between various institutions, ministries and organisations in the country is the way forward.

They were speaking at the end of a five-day conference, the International Association for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) Congress which held its 25th edition in Dubai.

Dr Essam Al Zarouni, acting chief executive officer for medical services sector at the Emirates Health Services said that he is optimistic as he sees that different health authorities and sectors are invested in mental health. “They allocate part of their budget, and they have strategies in place. I can see more initiatives and new things coming out over the next 5 to 10 years, so that we can take better care of our patient population,” he said.

Collaboration between entities is key and it is something that he said is already happening. “Overall, we will see different entities will work more collaboratively. In every project I am involved in or initiative we launch, someone will say something about mental health