Ambulatory Healthcare Services Participates in ‘My Medication in Ramadan' Campaign

• Activities across 27 AHS Clinics Raise Awareness among Community on Medication and Health Precautions for Fasting Patients 
• AHS Offers over 1,500 Consultations at Specially Set up Booths

Abu Dhabi-UAE: 30 July, 2013 – In line with its commitment to ensuring the well-being of the community, the Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a part of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), is marking its participation in SEHA's third educational campaign ‘My Medication in Ramadan'.

The annual campaign, which is being run by the Department of Pharmacy, will continue until the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan seeks to help observers of the fast stay healthy. More importantly, it helps patients adapt their medication to the fasting period and take the necessary health precautions. As part of this priority, ‘My Medication in Ramadan' educates patients on the appropriate dosage and timing of medication use that is recommended during periods of fast in order to avoid negative side effects.

Mohamed Hawas, acting CEO, AHS, said: “At AHS, we are committed to educating the community on important healthcare topics. In line with this mandate, we mark a strong participation in initiatives such as ‘My Medication in Ramadan' that prioritize the wellbeing of the community. Given the 15-hour fasts during this Holy Month of Ramadan, we have made additional efforts to send out our message to patients and the community at large.”

AHS has set up camps near pharmacies across 27 clinics in its network to offer counseling and consultation from pharmacists. Visitors to the booths are handed informative brochure on fasting and medication by AHS team.

To date, the campaign has attracted over 2,950 patients at the AHS booths and received more than 60 telephonic inquiries. Of these, 21 per cent were related to insulin for diabetics, seven per cent regarding fasting for pregnant women and 11 per cent about asthmatic inhalers and nebulization. In addition, 22 per cent patients inquired about blood pressure medication and 18 per cent on cholesterol treatment. The remaining 21 per cent had general inquiries such as the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Hawas added: “We are glad that our efforts are being well-received and helping the community in Abu Dhabi to observe the fast with minimal stress. We invite more number of people to benefit from the consultation offered by our specialists at the especially set up booths across our clinic network.” 

The essential role of pharmacists as intermediaries in counseling patients is additionally being highlighted by the campaign. Apart from addressing critical topics such as dehydration, fluid loss, thyroid gland disorders and specific precautions while fasting for women that are pregnant or lactating, the campaign caters to patients with heart diseases, high blood pressure, asthma and epilepsy.