Abu Dhabi: Brigadier General Salem Saleh Al Junaibi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Police Medical Services Department, yesterday announced the opening of a dedicated H1N1 isolation ward complete with quarantine facilities at the Specialised polyclinics.
Al Junaibi said the disease in itself is not dangerous, with increasing awareness and cooperation between the public and the authorities. During a press conference he said patients returning H1N1 positive are usually referred to one of the hospitals directly under the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) to receive medical attention.
The Ministry of Interior has put together a committee to work along with the H1N1 Supervisory Committee to ensure additional services, he said.
"The current efforts of the Abu Dhabi Police Department are increasing through conducting lectures, issuing brochures which show the diseases symptoms and precautionary measures, and other activities," he said.
Al Junaibi expressed the hope the new academic year in schools would not be affected and that the adoption of preventive measures would address the situation.
Circular: Hospitals warned not to exploit public
The Ministry of Health issued a circular to heads of medical zones as well as all private medical institutions warning them against selling seasonal flu vaccines as H1N1 preventive shots.
The ministry's executive director for medical practice and licensing, Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri said "prescribing and dispensing the seasonal flu vaccine while claiming that it works against the H1N1 virus is clear violation of medical rules and ethics and its sole aim is making financial gains."