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Mafraq Hospital, which is owned and operated by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA),today announced plans to open Abu Dhabi’s first Hypertension Clinic to support the two in five UAE nationals estimated to suffer from the disease.
The clinic, which will be staffed by a team of five doctors and nurses, will offer onsite support, as well as at-home treatment options and disease management programmes. All clinic patients will undergo a complete evaluation, physical exam, laboratory and radiologic assessment. Dietary advice and management will also be offered. The lead physician for the clinic is Dr Sarah Khan, MD. FASN, ABIM, Consultant Nephrology and Hypertension, Mafraq Hospital .
As a disease with very few early symptoms or warning signs, hypertension is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity from stroke, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Hypertension claims nearly eight million lives worldwide each year. One in two deaths in the UAE is caused by cardiovascular diseases and the first cardio event (stroke) occurs at around 45 years of age, which is 10 to 15 years earlier than the international average of 55 to 60, according to local medical experts.
“The statistics are alarming, and reflect the general lack of awareness of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, smoking and unhealthy lifestyles,” says Dr. Sarah H. Khan. “Despite our recent progress in prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure, hypertension remains an important public health challenge. It affects approximately one billion people worldwide, and that number is growing rapidly, with more than 1.5 billion adults expected to be suffering from the disease by 2025.”
Dr. Khan adds: “Studies have shown that awareness, combined with screening, continuous monitoring and lifestyle changes can reduce hypertension rates. A 2-mm Hg reduction in blood pressure can translate into a seven per cent reduction in ischemic heart disease events and a ten per cent reduction in stroke. This disease has now reached a scale of massive proportions and is an issue of public health concern. The clinic is expected to fill a much needed gap in treatment options across the Emirate. As this will be the only dedicated Hypertension Clinic in the city of Abu Dhabi, we are in a position to improve the quality of life for our patients, and this is a role we take very seriously.”
The Mafraq Hospital Hypertension Clinic is a much awaited addition to the award winning healthcare facility. Mafraq Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Mohammad Yaman, commented: “This clinic was first conceptualised three months ago. Dr Khan and her team have since worked very hard to develop a dedicated facility and treatment programme that would address this pervasive, often fatal disease. We are delighted to be opening the clinic early next year, and look forward to tracking the progress of our patients.”
The Mafraq Hospital Hypertension Clinic will open in early 2012.
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