As part of its transformative plans for community mental health, Emirates Health Services Corporation has launched the first-of-its-kind “Midway Villas” program in the Middle East region at its Al-Amal Psychiatric Hospital. Rehabilitation services for long-term patients through a systematic program, through a multi-rehabilitation program that includes occupational therapy and specialized nursing care under the supervision of a specialized team of consultant psychiatrists and psychologists.

Dr. Essam Al Jarouni, Managing Director, Medical Services Department, Emirates Health Services Corporation, confirmed that the launch of this quality program comes within the framework of the company’s efforts to pioneer and develop a network of digital clinics for mental health. Trajectories in the fields of health, counseling and psychotherapies indicate that Midway Villas is considered one of the major transformational projects that have been completed within the approved timelines within its plans and strategies. The highest standards of mental health services in line with the aspirations and goals of the Foundation, in line with the aspirations of the vision “We are Emirates 2031”, has led to the achievement of the goals of the UAE Centenary. 2071.

The Foundation is keen to promote mental health services in implementation of the National Policy for Promotion of Mental Health and gives its importance and vital role in strengthening family unity and consolidating social structure to ensure happiness, stability and integration among individuals. Its role in promoting self-stability that contributes to the creation of useful and influential generations, positively in society, to create psychiatric units for patients in the Foundation’s psychiatric hospitals, to improve awareness services, home care and support services, emergency treatment and social rehabilitation.

For his part, Dr Noor Al Muhairi, Director of the Foundation’s Department of Mental Health, said the Foundation’s strategy for mental health is in line with the National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health, which identifies five key strategic goals. Effectiveness of leadership aspects in the field of mental health, and development and expansion of the scope of comprehensive, integrated and responsive mental health services. To address the needs of all groups and age groups in society, coordinate multi-sectoral collaboration to implement a policy to promote mental health and raise the prevention capacity of mental disorders for all groups and age groups in society, as well as improve skills, improve information systems and collect, use and implement data.

Al-Muhairi explained that the “Midway Villas” are a quantum leap in providing treatment and rehabilitation services. The capacity of the Midway Villas is 18 beds, and the villas are intended to rehabilitate long-stay patients through a multi-rehabilitation program. Based on the skills and experience of specialist consultant physicians in psychiatry and psychologists in addition to occupational therapy and specialist nursing care.

On this occasion, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital Director Dr. Fatima Al Ali noted that Midway Villas provides healthcare services to patients suffering from chronic mental illnesses such as psychotic schizophrenia, affective schizophrenia and intellectual disability. As the villas are considered as a transitional stage from hospital to outside, rehabilitation is ensured with an integrated treatment program aimed at integrating patients into the community and providing them with the life skills needed to safely return home with their families. By allowing them to spend time with their families based on the recommendations of the medical staff, coordinating with the patients’ families and noting that the treatment team is interested in their proper discharge, the therapist affirms Emirates’ interest in improving the patient’s health and ensuring his healthy return to his family, patients and their families. This goal is a mainstay of psychotherapy because of its positive impact on