Maryam Bokhatamine (Dubai)
Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, affiliated to the Emirates Health Services Corporation, is keen to support the family of a drug addict by organizing a series of events and activities, in addition to holding workshops, seminars and media campaigns that aim to raise awareness on how to deal with and support addicts. The hospital attaches great importance to awareness and education as they are among the basic pillars of its strategy aimed at supporting patients’ families psychologically, in addition to launching media campaigns on various media outlets to spread awareness messages about the dangers of drugs, and providing individuals with the necessary knowledge to avoid falling into the trap of addiction, and the appropriate ways to support addicts in their recovery journey, according to Dr. Ammar Hamid Al Banna, Director of Al Amal Hospital.
Al-Banna explained that Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health seeks to support drug patients and psychologically support them to get out of the cycle of addiction, through a set of integrated therapeutic services that it provides, including drug therapy to treat the physical symptoms of addiction, and psychological therapy to help patients deal with the psychological causes of addiction. These programs are specifically designed to meet the needs of each patient individually, pointing out that the hospital provides comprehensive rehabilitation programs that help addiction patients develop new life skills and enhance their ability to live a life free of drugs. These programs include training in social and professional skills and group psychotherapy.
He added: “Based on the belief of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, represented by Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health, in the importance of continuous follow-up to ensure continued recovery, we also provide periodic follow-up services for patients after the end of treatment programs to ensure no relapse and support them in facing daily challenges, by providing a comprehensive and safe treatment environment that helps patients recover quickly and effectively, as it provides facilities equipped with the latest medical and therapeutic technologies, in addition to a specialized and highly trained medical staff, which ensures the provision of the best possible care for patients.”
Dr. Al Banna noted that Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health provides comprehensive preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to support addiction patients, including providing an integrated care package for addiction treatment for adults over the age of 18. The multidisciplinary team in the Addiction Department works to provide an environment conducive to patient well-being and support change to enhance mental health. The department also provides preventive services aimed at promoting physical and mental health, reducing harm, enhancing psychological resilience, improving primary care outcomes and recovery from symptoms associated with complex addiction cases, as the medical team relies on modern techniques in providing psychological care.
He continued: The Addiction Department at Al Amal Hospital is keen to develop therapeutic and rehabilitative services based on recovery and centered around the patient and his family, by involving patients and their families in developing psychological care plans.
Pioneering initiatives
The Director of Al Amal Hospital pointed out that Al Amal Hospital for Mental Health plays a vital role at the community level, by launching a group of pioneering initiatives and community partnerships, as it cooperates effectively with the local community, civil society organizations and community centers to organize awareness and educational activities that contribute to spreading awareness about the dangers of drugs. It also enhances awareness and educational campaigns, in cooperation with educational and community institutions; with the aim of expanding the scope of influence and increasing awareness in different segments of society. These efforts aim to build a drug-free society and enhance an integrated system that contributes to preventing addiction and providing treatment efficiently and effectively, which contributes to providing a healthy and safe life for everyone in our society.
