The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has rolled out a new initiative aimed at enhancing care for mothers and newborns during the delicate postnatal period. Called the Integrated Postnatal Care Programme, the effort is part of the emirate’s broader Women’s and Children’s Health Strategy.
Designed to offer continuous and personalised care after childbirth, the programme features a mix of home visits, telemedicine consultations, and in-person follow-ups. It ensures that mothers are supported from the time they leave the hospital and throughout the critical weeks that follow.
Shortly after discharge, mothers and babies will receive an initial virtual consultation to assess their wellbeing and address any early concerns. Follow-up clinic visits are also scheduled around one to two weeks post-birth and again at six weeks.
For cases involving medical complications or newborns with specific needs, the programme includes two home visits by a nurse or midwife—one soon after discharge and another between 7 and 14 days later—to provide hands-on support at home.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, underscored the importance of the initiative, stating in a Khaleej Times report: “The postpartum period is one of the most physically and emotionally challenging times in a woman’s life – and yet, one of the most overlooked.”
She added, “By integrating telemedicine, in-person follow-ups, and home-based care, we deliver proactive, personalised services that empower mothers and give every child a healthier start.”