ABU DHABI // Guidelines on psychiatric health problems including depression and anxiety have been placed in the UAE's primary health centres, the Ministry of Health said yesterday.
The ministry said in a statement that the move was an initial step to apply a comprehensive psychiatric health programme to the country.
"The guideline is considered a reference to all doctors and technicians who are working in the primary healthcare centres to deal with psychiatric cases, provide early detection and explain ways of treatment," said Dr Mona al Kuwari, the director of primary healthcare central administration at the Ministry of Health. "It also enhances psychiatric health and the application of its strategies in the primary healthcare centres."
According to the ministry, the guidelines cover the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and classification of psychiatric problems, among other areas.
The ministry said the guidelines are the result of studies by a group of psychiatric specialists and consultants both in the UAE and abroad. It also references information from World Health Organization on the challenges of psychiatric health and ways of merging it into primary healthcare services.
* The National
