Abu Dhabi  : In conjunction with World Kidney Day, Dr. Matar Al-Darmaki, Acting Group CEO at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA) has opened a new paediatric dialysis unit at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).

The paediatric dialysis unit is designed by SEHA Dialysis Services in accordance with the highest standards, and equipped with the latest technology.

Dr. Matar Al-Darmaki asserted SEHA’s keenness to provide high-quality health care services in Abu Dhabi as per the directives of the wise leadership, which is committed to promoting the health and well-being of the child and family.

Dr. Al-Darmaki said that Abu Dhabi has taken advanced steps towards consolidating its position in providing high-quality medical care. In turn, SEHA contributes significantly to meeting the future needs of Abu Dhabi, especially in light of the great development of the Emirate in various fields, and the steady increase of its population.

Dr. Zubaida Al-Ismaili, Deputy CEO at SEHA Dialysis Services, and Head of the Paediatric Nephrology Division at SKMC gave a presentation on the new unit. She stated: “The new paediatric dialysis unit comprises 9 dialysis stations with a capacity of 27 patients per day. The unit provides 4 dialysis sessions per week for each child, with each session lasting about 4 hours.”

“The unit includes a dialysis peritoneal room, an isolation room, paediatric examination clinics, and a room for the nursing staff, in addition to a lounge for patients and their families,” she added.

Dr. Al-Ismaili explained that SEHA Dialysis Services has made significant achievements over the past year 2014. The entity provided required medical care to 118,111 patients (adults and children). This number includes 1,954 children at SKMC, 38,893 adults, 6,406 patients at Al Gharbia Hospitals, 32,408 at Mafraq Hospital, and 38,450 at Tawam Hospital. The ratio of those who benefited from the dialysis services was 48% from Thiqa cardholders, and 52% from non-Thiqa cardholders.

SEHA Dialysis Services manages 9 dialysis centers, stationed in Mafraq Hospital, SKMC, Tawam Hospital, and Al Gharbia Hospitals. Mafraq Dialysis Centre includes 66 dialysis units, in addition to two isolation units for infectious diseases. This helps the centre to be better able to provide its services to approximately 325 patients per day, and be managed in accordance with the highest international standards. The centre’s design was made with a contemporary style and according to the highest global health standards.

Two more similar centres will be added to Mafraq Dialysis Centre in Abu Dhabi within SKMC and in Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, bringing the total carrying capacity of the three centres to 204 dialysis units. The proportion of medical services provided to kidney patients will rise to 70 per cent. Once completed, the number of units within the three centres will increase by more than 200 per cent in order to meet the growing number of patients in Abu Dhabi.