• Home

Dubai Hospital allows parents into operating theatre

For the first time in the UAE, a government hospital has officially allowed parents to accompany their children to the operation theatres. Earlier, in case a parent wanted to be with their child, a special permission was required from the hospital head.

“This step has been taken so as to help children overcome the fear of the procedure and feel safe,” explained Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman, acting director of Dubai Hospital. He said that this step was significant prior to the surgery as it helped in the overall recovery of the child post-operation.

He said parents would be allowed to remain with the children during the anesthesia procedures and until the child becomes unconscious. “We have been allowing this to happen sporadically, but this the first time that parents would not be required to take special permission,” he said, adding that parents need to be given the proper education regarding infection control before they are allowed to accompany their child.

“We cannot allow anyone just to walk in directly to the operation room. They will have to take all preventive measures to control infections. These include wearing the right footwear, surgical mask, gown and gloves,” he said.

He also said that there would be no restriction on the number of people allowed to stay in the operation room. “If both parents wish to remain with their child during the procedure, we have no issues,” he added.

• UAE