Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi to offer home doctor visits for patients with chronic ailments

More than 4,000 people in home isolation will receive check-ups and treatment at home

Safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina. Dubai. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National

Covid-19 safety measures are implemented at The Butcher restaurant in the Marina, Dubai.

A "stay safe" sign in Jumeirah.

A man makes his deliveries on a moped in the Marina, Dubai.

A man at the marina hoses down a boat.

A Five hotel employee puts luggage through a Ultra Violet sanitiser machine.

The Waterfront Market in Deira, Dubai.

People look at artwork for sale at Anyahh Art in Dubai.

A man wearing a mask at Anyahh Art, Dubai.

A woman takes pictures in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, with a protective mask on.

A Covid-19 message is painted on a Dubai street.

A couple walk home from the shops in JVC, Dubai.

More than 4,000 patients in Abu Dhabi with chronic illnesses will receive home check-ups and treatment to avoid the need to travel to hospital.

Mubadala Healthcare and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) said the system would ensure over-60s could be supported in the comfort of their own homes.

The services will be provided by medics at Mubadala Healthcare hospitals, which includes Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Healthpoint, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and Amana Healthcare.

Officials will identify the patients and refer them to the programme to qualify for home visits, phlebotomy services, alongside medication delivery and teleconsultations.

It is estimated that there are over 12,000 elderly patients in Abu Dhabi who suffer from heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other illnesses.

Of these, about 4,350 are chronically ill and have been identified as candidates for the home care model.

A two month pilot is expected to be scaled up as digital technologies develop further.

Older adults with chronic health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension are at higher risk for more serious Covid-19 illness and death.

Home visits and telemedicine can protect them from contracting the coronavirus and developing complications.

“This partnership with Mubadala Healthcare has benefits for individuals and the Abu Dhabi population as a whole,” said Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, acting undersecretary of DoH.

“As it has been designed to further develop the management and treatment of chronic diseases and to minimise the risk of complications, the remote care programme has the potential to improve population health overall.

“It also reflects our efforts to provide healthcare to all members of the community and those who have difficulty in visiting facilities due to the nature of their illness.”

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, senior vice president of Mubadala Healthcare, said remote care was important to protect the vulnerable during the pandemic.

“We believe the programme will improve patient outcomes for this vulnerable group as the convenience of home visits and teleconsultations facilitate better adherence to treatment guidelines and make it easier to monitor and manage chronic diseases,” he said.