Abu Dhabi: A flagship institution for Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) has introduced its end-to-end children’s rheumatology services for youngsters and their families in Abu Dhabi.
The rheumatology specialists at SKMC support the hospital’s expansive range of child healthcare services while boosting access to quality pediatric rheumatological care.
THE DISCIPLINE
Rheumatology is the study and treatment of diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
An international study mention pediatric rheumatic illnesses as rare instances, with long-term inflammatory conditions of the musculoskeletal system affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 children.
THE SPECIALITY
Pediatric rheumatology is an ever-evolving specialty that often requires extensive collaboration with almost all other specialties, making it imperative that hospitals provide comprehensive care under one roof.
Pediatric rheumatology is an evolving field and one that comes with a perfect mix of academic and clinical work as well as research. Since rheumatological conditions are often secondary to other ailments, rheumatologists collaborate with almost all other specialties.
Dr. Zubaida Alismaili, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer at SKMC explained about the specialty.
Dr. Alismaili further added that, “We always place our patients’ needs at the core of all operations, and we are quite excited to offer specialized pediatric rheumatology services to the Abu Dhabi community. Due to popular demand and to ensure that children and their families will have easy access, we are pleased to announce that we are bringing on board a full-time doctor to provide these specialized services much closer to our patients’ homes.”
SKMC’s pediatric rheumatology services are offered at the following facilities;
- In-Patient Pediatric wards and Pediatric ICU
- Out-Patient specialty clinics and
- Daycare infusion centers
SKMC’s pediatric capacity includes 7 pediatric inpatient wards, 86 inpatient pediatric beds, and 20 PICU beds.