Ambulatory Healthcare Services' Latest Mas'ool Sessions Address Community Health Issues and Concerns

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 16 September, 2013 – Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), today commenced the first two sessions of the sixth round of Mas'ool, a community outreach activity that offers patients and their families a platform to interact with AHS officials. The sessions also seek feedback and recommendations on AHS's healthcare services to help decision-makers better understand the community's needs.

The three-day back-to-back sessions running from September 16-18 will be held in Al Muwaiji, Bani Yas Al Quaa, Al Maqam, Al Bateen and Khalifa City A healthcare centers and will cover all the healthcare centers under AHS which have been grouped according to location. Mas'ool's outreach initiative drew the participation of over 1,086 patients and addressed their concerns on the availability of pediatric, specialty and laboratory services in the emirate.

As part of an ongoing drive to offer patients greater benefits from the Mas'ool program, AHS also introduced a ‘For Your Information' segment to the sessions to highlight relevant details about its services and general health issues. For this sixth round, the segments will highlight the importance of vaccinations and the vaccination programs available at AHS, in addition to encouraging patients to select a dedicated family doctor.

Dr. Omar Al Jaber, Chief Medical Officer at AHS said: “We are very keen to organize regular initiatives that allow us to communicate directly with our patients and relevant stakeholders and listen carefully to their issues and concerns. As part of this priority, the Mas'ool sessions help us gain a clear understanding of the issues facing the community and identify innovative solutions. This effort is based on our mission to be leaders of unique and dynamic Ambulatory Healthcare Services committed to healthier and better lives for our Community in Abu Dhabi .”

Continuing its proactive approach, AHS has already implemented many of the suggestions voiced at the Mas'ool's feedback session, such as integrating a larger number of specialists and introducing a ladies prayer room at some of its clinics.

Dr. Omar Al Jaberi added: “We review comments that are then routed to the concerned department for further study and implementation, if applicable and feasible. For example, for requests to increase the number of doctors, for instance, we consider patient volumes and statistics, and take these suggestions on board wherever applicable.”

Launched by SEHA in September 2011, Mas'ool has drawn significant participation from stakeholders and patients. In 2012, the Mas'ool community town hall initiative was extended to home care and special needs patients to ensure the active engagement of a larger number of community members.

AHS is a unique outpatient care concept from SEHA that seeks to offer easy access to primary and specialist patient care, including comprehensive laboratory and modern diagnostic facilities. The network provides school health services, disease prevention and screening centers, as well as mobile clinic solutions and ambulatory care centers.