Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a part of the PureHealth Group and one of the largest hospitals in the UAE specializing in serious trauma care, has officially inaugurated the 4th Annual Trauma and Injury Prevention Week, which is scheduled to take place from May 19 to May 22.

Trauma is a leading cause of death in the UAE, with road traffic accidents being a major factor. Statistical data reveals that there is an average of one trauma-related hospital admission every three hours in the UAE, resulting in approximately 10 trauma-related deaths each week. In response, SSMC admits over 330 trauma-injury patients monthly, emphasizing its pivotal role in delivering compassionate and coordinated multispeciality trauma care across the nation.

Focusing on the theme “Teamwork & Transformation,” this year’s Trauma and Injury Prevention Week assembles key stakeholders in trauma and emergency response, which includes the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Abu Dhabi Police, UAE Civil Defence Authorities, UAE Armed Forces, Integrated Transport Centre, Early Childhood Development Authority (ECA) in Abu Dhabi, the Central Blood Bank, and The Center of Emergency Preparedness and Response (CEPAR). New partners for this year’s event include the SAKINA Programme, Salma Rehabilitation Centre, and Abu Dhabi Organ Donation Centre.

The event began with a four-hour symposium that covered the full spectrum of trauma and injury prevention, from pre-hospital care to rehabilitation. This initiative highlights SSMC’s ongoing commitment to improving trauma care delivery and fostering collaboration among various agencies, while also investing in essential infrastructure to bridge care gaps and enhance patient outcomes.

Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer of SSMC, remarked that their annual Trauma and Injury Prevention Week not only establishes SSMC as a national center of excellence in trauma and burn care but also serves as a crucial platform for collective action within the medical and public services community. He stressed that, “Together with our partners, we are dedicated to reducing trauma-related deaths and disabilities, strengthening community awareness, and providing integrated, world-class care from the moment of injury through to recovery.”

This year’s program features a comprehensive exhibition with 15 booths that offer hands-on training in CPR and bleeding control, awareness sessions on motorcycle safety, childhood injury prevention, and domestic violence. Visitors are also invited to participate in a community blood drive and to explore new offerings from the Salma Rehabilitation Centre and other strategic partners.

As a designated Centre of Excellence for Burn Treatments by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, SSMC remains committed to advancing trauma care standards. The Trauma and Injury Prevention Week plays a vital role in reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation in the field of trauma and emergency medicine.