Experts in the UAE medical field predict that more than 30,000 out of 121,500 newborns will be in need of neonatal care by the end of Q3 2010.
These experts explain that this is due to the pressure on working mothers, the variety of nationalities resident in the country, as well as psychological, genetic and other factors related to the mother ─ such as being under the age of 20 or over 40. Certain diseases such as high blood pressure, eclampsia, heart disease and bleeding during pregnancy, as well as factors related to the infants such as deformity of the fetus’ kidneys, hydrocephalus, separation or dysfunction of the placenta, could also lead to premature birthing.
“Numerous activities and initiatives have taken place in the Dubai medial field, in both the private and governmental sectors, to reduce the risks associated with premature birthing,” says Mr. Mohammed Rashid Al Falasi, Chairman of the Canadian Specialized Hospital. “Dubai recently hosted the 3rd Emirates Conference for Newborn and Neonatal Children, which was attended by 300 specialized doctors from all over the world. In addition, a new intensive care unit for neonatal infants in the Canadian Specialized Hospital was launched to provide around-the-clock medical care for these infants.”
He added: “The new unit contains 12 medical incubators as well as 2 portable incubators to transport infants from and to the hospital, 6 high frequency respirators, along with equipment to treat cases such as recovery of the heart, venal liquid pumps, heart and respiration monitors, light treatment equipment, blood gas analyzers, jaundice meters, hearing monitoring devices and in vitro analyses.”
The new intensive care unit provides 3 levels of intensive care; intensive care for children in a critical condition, intensive care for children who need constant monitoring, and intensive care for infants with stable conditions.
Dr Shuaieb Shahzad Khan, Head of the neonatal intensive care unit at the Canadian Specialized Hospital, confirmed that the unit has received its first rare case; a female infant weighing only 1,1 kg. According to Dr Kahn she was put on the artificial respiratory device and was given all the necessary medicine through catheter techniques.
The number of newborns in the UAE is expected to reach 121,500 by the end of 2010. This is according to the UN’s report on the number of newborns along a 5 year timeline (2005-2010), with the number of newborns in the UAE being 16.2 infants per 1000 persons, and the Emirati Human Resources Authority’s prediction that the UAE’s population will reach 7.5 million by the end of this year. Furthermore, hospitals in the UAE are expected to receive 30,375 neonatal cases by end of 2010, based on a local official report stating that 25% of newborns are neonatal cases. Despite this number, minimal loss of life is reported due to competent and efficient medical intervention.
