By Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has held a coordination meeting with private hospital representatives to enhance the national newborn screening programme, ensuring it meets the UAE’s approved national standards in line with federal health legislation.
The initiative reflects MoHAP’s commitment to proactive healthcare and the highest standards in preventive services. The programme, implemented under a UAE Cabinet Resolution on newborn medical screening, follows strict procedures, standards, and regulatory frameworks defined by the Health Regulation Sector. These include accuracy monitoring, comprehensive clinical and biochemical assessments, and the early detection of genetic, hereditary, and other health conditions.
‘Riayati,’ the digital healthcare platform for the National Unified Medical Record (NUMR), plays a key role in the initiative by providing an integrated database for automation, health data management, and real-time patient record access. The system enhances patient safety, improves efficiency, and supports informed clinical decision-making.
The meeting covered strategic themes, including detailed reviews of protocols for newborn screenings, follow-ups, hearing tests, and detection of critical congenital heart defects. It also addressed circulars issued by the Health Regulation Sector to ensure consistent application of screening protocols across public and private facilities.
MoHAP underlined that the programme operates through a unified network of hospitals nationwide, supported by specialised reference laboratories, to establish a standardised approach for early detection and prevention of complications.
Safeguarding newborn health remains a strategic national priority, the Ministry stressed, aligning preventive and therapeutic services with global best practices. The Ministry also highlighted the critical role of private hospitals as strategic partners in achieving national healthcare objectives, emphasising ongoing coordination and knowledge exchange to build a resilient and integrated health system.
Newborn screening involves collecting blood samples for biochemical testing at the National Reference Laboratory, alongside hearing assessments and cardiac examinations. Additional tests may be introduced in line with evolving international medical standards.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
