Special health services for special needs

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Plans are on the anvil to develop a platform for differently-abled people, especially those with impaired hearing, said Health Minister. Such a platform, Faiqa bint Saeed Al Saleh said, will facilitate easy access for special needs people to health services.

The minister was replying a question by Shura council member Sabeeka Khalifa Ahmed Alfadhala on services provided by the ministry for people with special needs. Al Saleh said the ministry is harnessing modern technology and devices to achieve this goal while providing telemedicine services through sign language interpreters or training those concerned to use this language.

A plan is prepared to reach this goal at health centres in the general budget for the year 2021 -’22, Al Saleh added. The ministry, she said, is also working on to provide the assistance of sign language interpreters for physicians interacting with people having impaired hearing. The minister also stressed the need for hospitals and health centres to strengthen cooperation with institutions like the Bahrain Deaf Society in developing projects aimed at helping special needs people.

 Al Saleh also assured that the ministry is keen on providing top-notch care in all the hospitals and health centres in the Kingdom, especially for those requiring special care. The motto followed in this regard is “Patient first”, the minister said adding that health care facilities in the Kingdom are offering integrated health care packages including home delivery of medicines.

In this regard, the minister highlighted the medicine delivery service provided by Salmaniya Medical Complex Pharmacy, which helps the elderly and special needs people easy access to medicines. The minister also said that people with special needs are offered preferential care in various department and facilities, and are not required to follow queues.