DUBAI: In line with the Year of Zayed, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) launches the Ataa’ wa Saa’da (Giving and Happiness) initiative, which aims to support patients with limited means (financially, psychologically and socially) in partnership with the private sector.

As part of the initiative, DHA will be collaborating with six private health facilities who have allocated a Dhs30-million budget annually to provide free and discounted treatments for patients of limited means.

Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA, said the initiative is part of the culture of giving instilled by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Al Qutami said the authority was keen to invest its partnerships with the private health sector to implement this humanitarian cause during the Year of Zayed through the initiative, which reflects the noble humanistic concepts that characterise the UAE society from other societies.

Al Qutami commended the private hospitals who have responded positively to achieving the objectives of the initiative, which aims to support patients with limited means, and alleviate the pain and burden on their shoulders and their families.

This is also consistent with the directions of the DHA and its strategic objectives aimed at reaching a healthier and happier society.

Dr Marwan Al Mulla, the Director of Health Regulation at DHA, on the other hand said the DHA succeeded in utilising its partnerships with six private health facilities, who will be offering free and discounted treatment to patients with limited means. He added that there were plans to increase the number of collaborating hospitals.

Dr Al Mulla said that a number of meetings were held with private health facilities, who will be taking part in the initiative, which will be implemented in partnership with the Community & Humanitarian Services Office at DHA.