Latest news with #DoH
BBC News
20 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Childminders: Plea to increase adult-child ratio
Childminders should be allowed to increase the number of children they care for, the Department of Health (DoH) has been told after a consultation on adult-child ratios for childminding. Currently a childminder is permitted to care for six children under the age of 12 but only three of those can be under compulsory school age and only one can be under a year old. A registered childminder from Cabragh, County Tyrone, said she wants to be able to care for more younger children, specifically those under four years and three months old. Theresa McCaughey categorised that age group as "under" and said spaces for them are "what people require most". She said as soon as an "under" space is available, it gets taken up quickly. Ms McCaughey said those spaces made the most money and could help keep a childminder's business DoH has been consulting on a possible change to adult-to-child ratios for childminding and earlier in 2025 it released eight different options for consideration. The DoH said its preferred option would be to allow a maximum of two children under 18 months, but no more than three children under compulsory school age and a total of eight children under said it did not go far enough."That's still leaving me with three 'unders'," she said. She chose an option that would allow four children under compulsory school age and up to 10 children under the age of 12. Joanne Marshall is a new mum and heading back to her job as a teacher in County Monaghan. She believes childminders could easily cope with an extra child under compulsory school age."I teach four-year-olds and have 20 children," she Patterson, who is also getting ready to go back to work, sends her daughter Martha to a childminder three days a week. She would prefer the number was not increased."Three is a nice number I suppose because you know they are being looked after well," she Burns, mum to two-year-old Leo and eight-month-old Maggie, said it depended on the childminder."I imagine that childminders who are in that position and are wanting to increase their numbers have the capacity themselves and know what they can undertake," she said. The DoH consultation closed on 20 June. It said 495 responses were received from a wide range of organisations and individuals and that the department was now in the process of analysing them and preparing a report for the health DoH said the minister will then consider the next steps.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi launches Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme, recognising excellence by healthcare providers
30 July 2025 16:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has launched a new value-based healthcare initiative under its Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme, aimed at incentivising healthcare providers based on the quality of care they programme will initially focus on fertility services and is set to expand to other clinical areas in subsequent phases, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a world-class healthcare initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's continued commitment to elevating the standard of care across the emirate, where the department will monitor the performance of healthcare facilities based on specific models and facilities will be rewarded with additional incentives for achieving set performance goals within a specified timeframe, such as improving patient outcomes, utilising best medical practices, boosting patient safety, and enhancing the patient Excellency Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, said, 'At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, we are committed to raising the bar for healthcare quality in Abu Dhabi. The launch of the Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme reflects our ambition to drive meaningful improvements in clinical performance while rewarding providers that go above and beyond in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care.''Fertility services were chosen as the starting point given their strategic importance to public health and the profound impact they have on families. Abu Dhabi has already made tremendous strides in advancing reproductive medicine, and this programme will help accelerate progress even further.'Abu Dhabi has become a leading destination for fertility care, driven by innovation in treatments such as egg freezing, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and embryo 2025, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi reported that IVF success rates in the emirate exceeded 51 percent, among the highest globally, with more than 6,180 IVF cycles performed in 2024 emirate is home to 14 advanced fertility centres and more than 2,800 healthcare professionals in obstetrics and gynaecology. This includes 700 specialists and consultants, 375 midwives, and 45 facilities dedicated to women's health.
Arabian Business
21-07-2025
- Health
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's vaccine distribution hub activated with first shipment
The vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi has been launched following the arrival of the facility's first shipments. Developed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) in partnership with leading global and regional stakeholders, the hub is a strategic milestone in the emirate's vision to strengthen global health security, ensure equitable vaccine access, and build resilient supply chains across the region. The activation of the hub follows an agreement signed between the DoH and GSK during Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week in 2024 to establish regional vaccine distribution capabilities in the emirate. The facility becomes GSK's first vaccine distribution centre in the Middle East and the fourth worldwide. Located in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the hub was developed by DoH in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), GSK, AD Ports Group, Etihad Cargo, and KEZAD Group. Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, commented: 'The operational launch of Abu Dhabi's regional vaccine hub signals our readiness to serve the region with speed, precision, and reliability. 'More than a logistics milestone, this reflects our long-term vision to position Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner in global health where innovation and resilience translate into timely access and measurable public health impact. Through this hub, we are making vaccines more accessible to communities across borders and strengthening the UAE's leadership in preventive, future-ready healthcare.' The hub leverages Abu Dhabi's strategic location, its advanced cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that is both agile and supportive of innovation. The hub's activation also marks one of the first major operational milestones under HELM – Abu Dhabi's Life Science Cluster, which was officially launched in April 2025. As the emirate's flagship platform for driving life sciences investment, innovation, and global collaboration, HELM brings together government, industry, and academia to strengthen the capital's position as a preferred global partner in precision health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biopharmaceutical logistics. Boyd Chongphaisal, Vice President and General Manager, GSK Gulf, added: 'The launch of our vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi represents a shared commitment to health security, innovation, and access. Through our strategic partnership with DoH and local stakeholders, we are combining scientific excellence with operational strength to ensure timely, efficient delivery of vaccines across the region. 'The integration of this hub under HELM further demonstrates GSK's pioneering stance and alignment with Abu Dhabi's vision for driving impactful outcomes in the life sciences sector on a regional and global scale. This initiative is also a testament to Abu Dhabi's position in the global value chain, strengthening its role in global health and innovation.' The facility will manage a portfolio of more than 20 vaccines, including those for paediatric and adult populations, supporting lifelong immunisation strategies across multiple markets. Designed for scalability, the hub can accommodate emerging vaccine technologies and increased regional demand, while maintaining the highest global quality and safety standards. As operator of the facility, Rafed, has deployed advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies that preserve vaccine integrity and ensure end-to-end visibility throughout the logistics process. The hub is fully integrated with Etihad Cargo's PharmaLife network, which connects Abu Dhabi to more than 100 international destinations and offers time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight services tailored for pharmaceutical products. Mohammad Mustafa Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Rafed, said: 'As a PureHealth company, Rafed is committed to delivering healthcare excellence through world-class pharmaceutical logistics. The launch of this regional vaccine distribution hub is a tangible expression of our strategy to strengthen health systems, improve access, and build resilience across borders. 'By deploying advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies, we are enabling real-time, end-to-end visibility. We remain focused on supporting governments and health partners with confidence and reliability to achieve better health outcomes for communities from Abu Dhabi across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.'
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi launches operations at its regional vaccine distribution hub
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced the operational launch of the region's vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi, following the arrival of the facility's first shipments. Located in Abu Dhabi and developed in partnership with leading global and regional stakeholders, the hub is a strategic milestone in the Emirate's vision to strengthen global health security, ensure equitable vaccine access, and build resilient supply chains across the region. Located in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the hub was developed in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), GSK, AD Ports Group, Etihad Cargo, and KEZAD Group. It is a cornerstone of the UAE's expanding life sciences ecosystem and is designed to improve vaccine access across the region. The hub leverages Abu Dhabi's strategic location, its advanced cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that is both agile and supportive of innovation. This hub reflects Abu Dhabi's model of cross-sector collaboration uniting government, biopharma, logistics, and innovation under one ecosystem. The activation of the hub follows a strategic agreement signed between DoH and GSK during Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week in 2024 to establish regional vaccine distribution capabilities in the emirate. Now realized, the facility becomes GSK's first vaccine distribution centre in the Middle East and the fourth worldwide, further solidifying Abu Dhabi's role in supporting regional health security and global supply chain resilience. The hub's activation also marks one of the first major operational milestones under HELM – Abu Dhabi's Life Science Cluster, which was officially launched in April 2025 during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. As the emirate's flagship platform to drive life sciences investment, innovation, and global collaboration, HELM brings together government, industry, and academia to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a preferred global partner in precision health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biopharma logistics. The hub's integration under HELM demonstrates how Abu Dhabi is translating its life sciences vision into operational outcomes that drive regional impact. H.E Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: 'The operational launch of Abu Dhabi's regional vaccine hub signals our readiness to serve the region with speed, precision, and reliability. More than a logistics milestone, this reflects our long-term vision to position Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner in global health where innovation and resilience translate into timely access and measurable public health impact. Through this hub, we are making vaccines more accessible to communities across borders and strengthening the UAE's leadership in preventive, future-ready healthcare.' The facility will manage a portfolio of more than 20 vaccines, including those for paediatric and adult populations, supporting lifelong immunisation strategies across multiple markets. Designed for scalability, the hub can accommodate emerging vaccine technologies and increased regional demand, while maintaining the highest global quality and safety standards. Boyd Chongphaisal, Vice President and General Manager, GSK Gulf, commented: 'The launch of our vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi represents a shared commitment to health security, innovation, and access. Through our strategic partnership with DoH and local stakeholders, we are combining scientific excellence with operational strength to ensure timely, efficient delivery of vaccines across the region. The integration of this hub under HELM further demonstrates GSK's pioneering stance and alignment with Abu Dhabi's vision for driving impactful outcomes in the life sciences sector on a regional and global scale. This initiative is also a testament to Abu Dhabi's position in the global value chain, strengthening its role in global health and innovation.' Rafed, the operator of the facility, has deployed advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies that preserve vaccine integrity and ensure end-to-end visibility throughout the logistics process. The hub is fully integrated with Etihad Cargo's PharmaLife network, which connects Abu Dhabi to more than 100 international destinations and offers time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight services tailored for pharmaceutical products. Mohammad Mustafa Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Rafed added: 'As a PureHealth company, Rafed is committed to delivering healthcare excellence through world-class pharmaceutical logistics. The launch of this regional vaccine distribution hub is a tangible expression of our strategy to strengthen health systems, improve access, and build resilience across borders. By deploying advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies, we are enabling real-time, end-to-end visibility. We remain focused on supporting governments and health partners with confidence and reliability to achieve better health outcomes for communities from Abu Dhabi across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.' The facility is expected to distribute millions of doses annually, shortening delivery timelines across the region and improving the integrity of vaccine supply. Stanislas Brun, Chief Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways added: 'Etihad Cargo's participation in this initiative reflects our continued investment in healthcare logistics. Our network and specialised PharmaLife product play a critical role in transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines reliably and efficiently across the region. We are proud to support Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a global leader in life sciences and supply chain excellence.' The facility's activation significantly strengthens Abu Dhabi's life sciences value chain and supports the UAE's ambition to serve as a global hub for innovation-led, knowledge-based industries. Its operational readiness will help improve vaccine access, reduce delivery lead times, and address public health needs through a more proactive and resilient healthcare model. Pharmaceutical manufacturers and partners interested in leveraging Abu Dhabi's vaccine logistics capabilities are invited to join HELM and explore opportunities through The hub is expected to expand in scale and scope as Abu Dhabi continues to invest in strengthening its global life sciences footprint. About the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH): The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is the regulative body of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Committed to ensuring excellence in healthcare, DoH monitors the health status of the population while shaping the regulatory framework for the health system. This includes inspecting against regulations, enforcing standards and encouraging the adoption of world-class best practices and performance targets by all healthcare providers in the Emirate. Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare by establishing an intelligent and sustainable ecosystem that prioritises health, longevity and quality of life for all community members. Leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and cutting-edge capabilities, DoH continues to develop and implement initiatives and programmes in line with its strategic focus areas, Healthy Population, Best-in-Class Care and Resilience and Innovation. These efforts reflect DoH's unwavering commitment to predicting, preventing and personalising healthcare for every individual. For further information on DOH, visit and follow on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact: Mariam Al Marzooqi, msalmarzooqi@
Al Etihad
21-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
GSK Regional Vaccine Distribution Hub in Abu Dhabi receives first shipments
21 July 2025 11:20 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has announced the operational launch of the region's vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi, following the arrival of the facility's first in Abu Dhabi and developed in partnership with leading global and regional stakeholders, the hub is a strategic milestone in the emirate's vision to strengthen global health security, ensure equitable vaccine access, and build resilient supply chains across the in KEZAD and operated by Rafed, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the hub was developed in collaboration with the DoH, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), GSK, AD Ports Group, Etihad Cargo, and KEZAD is a cornerstone of the UAE's expanding life sciences ecosystem and is designed to improve vaccine access across the hub leverages Abu Dhabi's strategic location, its advanced cold-chain logistics infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that is both agile and supportive of innovation. This hub reflects Abu Dhabi's model of cross-sector collaboration, uniting government, biopharma, logistics, and innovation under one activation of the hub follows a strategic agreement signed between DoH and GSK during Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week in 2024 to establish regional vaccine distribution capabilities in the realised, the facility becomes GSK's first vaccine distribution centre in the Middle East and the fourth worldwide, further solidifying Abu Dhabi's role in supporting regional health security and global supply chain hub's activation also marks one of the first major operational milestones under HELM – Abu Dhabi's Life Science Cluster, which was officially launched in April 2025 during Abu Dhabi Global Health the emirate's flagship platform to drive life sciences investment, innovation, and global collaboration, HELM brings together government, industry, and academia to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a preferred global partner in precision health, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biopharma logistics. The hub's integration under HELM demonstrates how Abu Dhabi is translating its life sciences vision into operational outcomes that drive regional impact. Her Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said, 'The operational launch of Abu Dhabi's regional vaccine hub signals our readiness to serve the region with speed, precision, and reliability. More than a logistics milestone, this reflects our long-term vision to position Abu Dhabi as a trusted partner in global health where innovation and resilience translate into timely access and measurable public health impact. Through this hub, we are making vaccines more accessible to communities across borders and strengthening the UAE's leadership in preventive, future-ready healthcare.'The facility will manage a portfolio of more than 20 vaccines, including those for paediatric and adult populations, supporting lifelong immunisation strategies across multiple markets. Designed for scalability, the hub can accommodate emerging vaccine technologies and increased regional demand while maintaining the highest global quality and safety President and General Manager, GSK Gulf, Boyd Chongphaisal, said, 'The launch of our vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi represents a shared commitment to health security, innovation, and access. Through our strategic partnership with DoH and local stakeholders, we are combining scientific excellence with operational strength to ensure the timely, efficient delivery of vaccines across the region. The integration of this hub under HELM further demonstrates GSK's pioneering stance and alignment with Abu Dhabi's vision for driving impactful outcomes in the life sciences sector on a regional and global scale. This initiative is also a testament to Abu Dhabi's position in the global value chain, strengthening its role in global health and innovation.'Rafed, the operator of the facility, has deployed advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies that preserve vaccine integrity and ensure end-to-end visibility throughout the logistics process. The hub is fully integrated with Etihad Cargo's PharmaLife network, which connects Abu Dhabi to more than 100 international destinations and offers time-sensitive, temperature-controlled freight services tailored for pharmaceutical Executive Officer of Rafed, Mohammad Mustafa Saeed, said, 'As a PureHealth company, Rafed is committed to delivering healthcare excellence through world-class pharmaceutical logistics. The launch of this regional vaccine distribution hub is a tangible expression of our strategy to strengthen health systems, improve access, and build resilience across borders. By deploying advanced cold-chain and smart distribution technologies, we are enabling real-time, end-to-end visibility. We remain focused on supporting governments and health partners with confidence and reliability to achieve better health outcomes for communities from Abu Dhabi across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.'The facility is expected to distribute millions of doses annually, shortening delivery timelines across the region and improving the integrity of vaccine Cargo Officer at Etihad Airways, Stanislas Brun, said, 'Etihad Cargo's participation in this initiative reflects our continued investment in healthcare logistics. Our network and specialised PharmaLife product play a critical role in transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines reliably and efficiently across the region. We are proud to support Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a global leader in life sciences and supply chain excellence.'The facility's activation significantly strengthens Abu Dhabi's life sciences value chain and supports its ambition to serve as a global hub for innovation-led, knowledge-based industries. Its operational readiness will help improve vaccine access, reduce delivery lead times, and address public health needs through a more proactive and resilient healthcare model.
