UAE Medical Professionals Receive Specialist Training On Treating People Of Determination
All 7,500 athletes who attend the World Games will receive free health screenings from local clinicians
Doctors and nurses across the UAE are being trained on how to treat people of determination by a team of leading medical practitioners this week.
Assigned medical professionals from the main strategic partners of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, in addition to volunteers from the healthcare sector across the UAE are being briefed on how to provide medical services for Special Olympics athletes for a variety of common health conditions and ailments.
The training is led by Dr. Matt Holder, Global Medical Adviser at Special Olympics International.
A collaboration between the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, Department of Health (Abu Dhabi) and the U.S. Embassy, the training is taking place over three days (12 – 14 December) in preparation for hosting the World Games in March when 7,500 athletes from 192 countries will be welcomed to the UAE.
Train the Trainer sessions are designed to develop the capacity of the teams of medical and healthcare professionals who have volunteered their time to assist at the World Games. The sessions focus on the best ways to communicate with, treat and care for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Access to proper health services can change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and create opportunities for education, employment and boost inclusion in their community.
Tala Al Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, said: "Improving the health status and wellbeing of people of determination is a very important initiative from our legacy program and will create a lasting impact on the healthcare system, not only in the UAE but across the region.
"Train the Trainer sessions help to equip medical professionals with the essential skills they need to quickly recognize and address any health issues the athletes may suffer from."
Scott Bolz, Head of the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section, said: "The U.S. Embassy is proud to partner with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 and the Department of Health on this important initiative. Since Eunice Kennedy Shriver inaugurated the first games in 1968, the Special Olympics has transformed from an American initiative to a global movement, promoting inclusion, tolerance, and understanding for people of determination, values shared by both the United States and the UAE".
Matar Al Nuaimi, Director of Emergency and Disaster Division at the Department of Health commented: "We are excited to have the Special Olympics World Games take place in Abu Dhabi, which is set to be the largest sports and humanitarian event in the world in 2019. We are particularly proud to be part of organizing and hosting the specialist training for medical professionals and volunteers.
"Our aim is to ensure that the medical team is equipped with the necessary skillsets that enables them to deal with People of Determination to the highest levels of quality, safety, consideration and compassion. By bringing a host of local specialists and world-renowned international experts, we ensure that our guidelines are aligned with internationally-recognized standards and those followed by the Special Olympics World Games, which is part of DoH's commitment to maintaining high quality healthcare services in Abu Dhabi. At the same time, DoH reinforces its role in providing the needed healthcare regulatory guidance for all events in Abu Dhabi."
