Al Amal Hospitals Training and Development Department organized a workshop for doctors and nurses stationed in emergency and psychiatry departments and the medical staff of the Ministry of Healths primary healthcare centers. The seminar titled Emergency Mental Disorders & Dealing with Aggressive Behavior was held at Al Amal Mental Hospital in Dubai in the presence of H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Al Zarooni, Director of Al Amal Hospital and Deputy Director of Dubai Medical District.

Highlighting the medical and social dimensions of emergency psychiatric cases, the workshop comes at a time when there is a significant increase of violent incidents in the community involving mental health patients. One-third of emergency hospital cases in the country involve patients suffering from psychiatric conditions.

H.E. Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of the Ministrys Specialized Healthcare Department, said the event was organized in accordance with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) implemented to improve mental health services in the UAE and enhance the qualifications, knowledge and skills of local talents. The workshop was also aligned with the ongoing government efforts to create a healthy society through the provision of mental health services and empowerment of all citizens and residents.

According to H.E. Dr. Al Zarooni, the Al Amal Hospital management has coordinated with the Ministry of Health to build a dedicated team capable of dealing with emergency psychiatric cases and make it as an example to be followed by specialized staff of various psychiatric medical centers in the country. Al Amal Hospital has started the implementation of the initiative by holding a series of workshops and issuing a guidance for the establishment of psychiatric hospital units.

During the workshop, Dr. Amna Turki, Psychiatric Consultant and Head of Training and Development Department at Al Amal Hospital, said the speakers particularly identified the latest methods for proper response to mental health cases and effective corresponding treatments in accordance with best practices and global standards on patients safety. The methods include the types of psychological and mental health illnesses, correct diagnosis, and impact of the illness on patients, their immediate families and members of the communities where they belong.

Among the participants were Dr Talaat Matar, Consultant Psychiatrist from the Ras Al Khaimah Medical Zone; Dr. Amna Turki, Psychiatric Consultant and Head of Training and Development Department at Al Amal Hospital; Dr. Subash Pradhan, Psychiatric Specialist of Al Amal Hospital; and a number of nursing staff.