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Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres: Well-rounded expertise for top patient care

Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres is one of the UAE's top JCI-accredited healthcare facilities, dedicated to treating patients well. In response to the current concerns related to the global pandemic, the healthcare provider has been quick to adapt and respond to the needs of citizens and residents.

This includes the introduction of teleMEDCARE and home care services, two initiatives that give patients access to a comprehensive range of Medcare specialities such as speaking to a doctor in real-time; scheduling an appointment at their convenience; or even gaining referrals, depending on the patients' requirement. Additionally, medications are conveniently prescribed and delivered at doorsteps.

To date, Medcare Hospitals and Medcare Centres is proud to declare itself as a Covid-free facility, owing to the continued efforts of its proactive management staff and frontliners. The healthcare provider has implemented a strict sterilisation routine across its four hospitals, 15 medical centres and support offices with an aim to safeguard the health of its staff, and at the same time catering to patients' healthcare needs. In addition, everyone entering its facilities are subject to temperature checks, with immediate action in case of Covid-19 symptoms.

Stay heart healthy

Medcare group of hospitals are well-equipped with specialists and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure patients receive immediate care


Dr Ghassan Nakad

Medcare offers the highest levels in evidence-based treatments with respect to interventional and preventive cardiology. We deal with complex heart vessel diseases using the latest technologies. Examples are IVUS and FFR-assisted angioplasty, left main and chronic total occlusions angioplasty and multi-vessel stenting. All of these can be performed through micro-hole surgery via the artery of the wrist. We also offer 24/7 emergency cardiac care, ready to operate at any time.
Medcare has acquired the latest equipment in TMT echocardiography and CT Scans. This enables us to accurately predict and prevent heart diseases.
Tips to improve the health include getting the highs down; as well as keeping high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high weight and smoking habits under control. Genetics play a major role in middle-aged and young patients. So if your parents or older siblings show early on symptoms, they need to get themselves checked. I urge everyone to diligently practice social distancing and wear masks. Prevention is definitely better than cure. This too shall pass, but until then we are all responsible.

Dr Ghassan Nakad is a Specialist Cardiologist,  Medcare Multi Speciality Hospital Al Safa Dubai

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Balance the stress for scale

Stress is inevitable considering the busy lifestyle we live. This, however, manifests into several issues such as weight gain, which, in turn, leads to further health complications. Dr Hussam Al Trabulsi, Specialist General Surgeon, Medcare Multi Speciality Hospital Al Safa Dubai, shares insights into the condition and shares tips on managing it.


What are some of the common weight management issues that you witness on a regular basis?
Chronic stress has increasingly become a major issue. People run to calories for any stress-related solutions. The psychology behind it could be interpreted in many ways, but it causes weight problems.
Cushing's Syndrome is the most common result of stress-related weight problems. The disorder occurs when the body produces too much of  the hormone cortisol over a long period of time in order to better respond to the stressors. On the other hand, more commonly seen conditions in women are hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and depression, which are big factors that contribute to weight management issues.  

What steps does one need to take to manage their weight?
First and foremost, it is important to acknowledge the problem. Many people are asked to lose weight when they have not actually identified a problem with their body. Once the person has paid attention to their weight and recognised the risks they are putting themselves in, lifestyle and dietary changes are approached first. Exercise, smoking cessation, balanced diets, and sleep adjustments are the most important steps to begin with. When done in combination, weight management is guaranteed. If all of these fail, the last, but not least step is medical intervention. This can include medication, non-invasive procedures, or even bariatric surgery.

When does medical help intervene to manage weight in patients?
When all dietary and lifestyle changes have not shown any significant difference in the patient, medical intervention is required. Usually, a patient is requested to adapt to a healthier lifestyle and diet plan for a period of time to monitor their metabolism, but should there be any genetic and metabolic factors affecting weight loss, non-invasive procedures and medication are the first solution. When the patient is at high risk of obesity-related co-morbidity, bariatric intervention is highly recommended.
 
In the light of Covid-19, what advice would you give to those following diet plans?
Keeping your immunity strong is the most important step towards prevention of Covid-19. It has been proven that many immune-boosting approaches have prevented and even treated the virus, as many toxins, bacteria and pathogens are cleared from the body, making the patient less susceptible to contagion.
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Ensure child safety amid pandemic
Children are prone to falling sick. Dr Michael Atteya, Specialist Paediatrician at Medcare Medical Centre, Rashidiya, suggests tips to help parents stay alert.


Many of the schools have reopened, and it is important to note the common illnesses children are prone to in order to keep them in good health. Among these include:

.    Sore throat: Common in children. A sore throat caused by a virus does not need antibiotics.
.    Ear pain: This can have many causes - ear infection, swimmer's ear and pressure from a cold.
.    Urinary tract infection: Occurs when bacteria build up in the urinary tract.
.    Common cold: These are caused by viruses in the upper
respiratory tract.
.    Cough: Usually caused by virus and does not often require antibiotics.

Additionally, children and school faculty alike need to be vigilant and take necessary precautions in light of Covid 19, such as:

.    Maintaining social distance between students.
.    Ensure stable group of 10 or fewer children in classes.
.    Wearing mask is mandatory for all kids aged six years and older.
.    Providing children with information on how to protect themselves.
.    Promoting best hand washing techniques and hygiene practices, and providing hygiene supplies.
.    Cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, especially water and sanitation facilities; and increasing airflow and ventilation.
.    Monitoring children's health and keeping them home from school if they are ill.

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Re-initiating flexibility in patients' lives

Medcare Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital offers top expertise in phsyiological rehabilitation and pain management. Dr Amar Al Omar, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Medcare Orthopaedic and Spine Hospital, on what makes the hospital different.

Dr Amar Al Omar


The Medcare Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital is highly efficient, having provisions for all the sub-specialities that are delivered by world-class surgeons. These are, in turn, supported by onsite radiology, anaesthetic, operating theatres and rehabilitation services to cover all emergency and elective cases.
Orthopaedic is a fascinating speciality. Besides core medical knowledge, it combines many other sciences such as biomechanics, biology and materials properties. It aims to relieve pain and restore shape and function that can be altered by trauma, congenital and degenerative conditions. Achieving that is very satisfying to any Orthopaedic surgeon.
At Medcare, we offer 24/7 emergency care along with onsite radiology, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI scans, fully-equipped operating theatres, highly specialised nurses, rheumatology clinic and complete physiotherapy unit to cater to all sports injuries, joint replacement, trauma, spinal and provide comprehensive care and follow up.
Robotics and navigation-guided orthopaedic and spinal surgery is an ever-expanding field aimed to improve implant position, patient satisfaction and outcome and reduce complications.

Early detection saves lives

Women are encouraged to consult a specialist and maintain annual check-ups to protect themselves against risks of breast cancer. Dr Geetha Pai, Specialist General Surgeon at Medcare Women and Children Hospital comments on the subject.

What are some of the programmes the hospital undertakes to prevent breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women, both in developed and developing countries. Prevention and early detection remain the cornerstone for breast cancer control.
As a breast cancer caregiver, our hospital has screening programmes for early detection and patient education for risk factor prevention. Each year, we do screening, mammography camps and free doctor consultation during breast cancer awareness month in October, and educate women about healthy lifestyle, encourage breastfeeding, and talk about the negative effects of smoking.

How important is early diagnosis and when should one start the tests?
Early detection is very important in order to improve the breast cancer outcome and overall survival rate; hence it is recommended to start awareness and screening as early as at the age of 25 years. We advise women to start with monthly self-breast examinations at the age of 25, then annual breast ultrasound examinations among all age groups. Mammogram screening should begin at the age of 40 years.

How can women take preventive care to avoid breast cancer?
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with physical activity. Women should also avoid smoking and alcohol. A healthy diet with green leafy vegetables, fruits and polyunsaturated fatty acids is advised. Weight control is just as important to prevent obesity. Prevent hormonal risks by planning to have the first child before the age of 30 years, followed by breastfeeding for minimum of 18 months.

What are the types of breast cancer treatments that Medcare provides? What is new in surgical treatment?
At Medcare, we have all types of surgical treatments for breast cancer with latest breast conservative surgeries that include lumpectomy, quadrantectomy and partial mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance, and mastectomy with primary breast reconstruction with flaps.