NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City Emergency and Pediatrics Departments Celebrate First-In-Region Certification for Autism Care

NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City Emergency and Pediatrics Department in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is celebrating a first-in-region accolade. The hospital departments have become the first of its kind in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region to become a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC). The designation is awarded after staff complete training and certification provided by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), with the goal of adding to physician, nursing and nonclinical staff’ existing knowledge and updating them on research and best practice to better provide assistance, treatment and care for autistic and other patients of determination needs.

“We are immensely proud to be the first hospital in the MENA region to achieve the IBCCES Certified Autism Center™ designation. NMC Royal Hospital also earned the accreditation of being a Unified Healthcare Provider by Special Olympics in October 2022. This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing the highest quality care and support for people of determination. At NMC Royal Hospital, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood.” – Dr Mouhamad Al Zouhbi, General Manager, NMC Royal Hospital – Khalifa City.

Since autistic individuals are 52 TIMES more likely to visit a doctor or therapy office and 8 TIMES more likely to visit an emergency room, this type of training is essential to offer the level of care that patients need and deserve.

As part of the CAC designation process, at least 80% of patient-facing department staff must complete a training and certification program to better understand the autism spectrum and strategies for communication, patient interaction, and safety. IBCCES also reviewed hospital departments onsite to provide additional support, recommendations, and tools to enhance access and options for autistic patients and their families.

NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City has taken a step towards providing better healthcare facilities for autistic children by setting up a dedicated sensory station in the Emergency and Paediatrics Department. The hospital has trained staff members who are equipped to handle these children. This initiative ensures that the hospital staff is aware of the specific needs and requirements of autistic children, which leads to a better healthcare experience for them and their families. The sensory station provides a calming environment for the children with soothing lights, sounds, and textures. Previously, NMC Royal Hospital also obtained the Unified Healthcare status from Special Olympics to support PODs.Speaking about the certification, Chairman Myron Pincomb said:

“Specialized training and certification of this kind for physicians and hospital staff is vital. It means that staff are responsive to the unique needs of autistic or sensory sensitive patients and have the tools to provide the best care. Our programs for hospital and emergency departments go above and beyond so patients and their families can feel confident when visiting autism certified locations that they will be treated with compassion and the care and understanding they deserve.”

For more than 20 years, IBCCES has been a leader in cognitive disorder training and certification for healthcare, education, public safety, travel and corporate professionals around the globe, including the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. IBCCES’ programs include evidence-based content as well as the perspectives of autistic individuals, alongside other resources, ongoing support, and renewal requirements to ensure there is continued learning and a lasting impact.

IBCCES also created CertifiedAutismCenter.com, as a free online resource for parents that lists certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) requirements.

You can find out more about NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City here.

About NMC 

NMC Healthcare is the largest private healthcare company in the UAE. Over the last 48 years, NMC has earned the trust of millions, thanks to its personalised care, genuine concern and a sincere commitment to the overall well-being of the communities it serves.

About IBCCES 

Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders.