EHN aims to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that is tailored for each patient – Alka Uttamchandani

| 6 min read

Dubai: Emirates Home Nursing started its journey in 2010 with the goal: of serving and giving back to the community. Today, after more than ten years in business, Emirates Home Nursing was able to achieve excellence in nursing and caregiving and become an irreplaceable part of a family’s life.

Team The Brew News talked with Alka Uttamchandani, General Manager at Emirates Home Nursing, and discussed the company’s vision, mission, and future plans.

Q – From where was this idea of home nursing adopted?

Alka Uttamchandani – The idea of home nursing emerged as a response to the growing need for personalized and convenient healthcare services. It was inspired by the recognition that many individuals, particularly the aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses or disabilities, prefer to receive medical care in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes. Home nursing allows patients to receive quality healthcare services while maintaining a sense of independence and dignity.

Q– What is the structure of your patient care team? Do you have in-house trained doctors apart from nursing staff for emergency situations?

Alka Uttamchandani – The patient care team of Emirates Home Nursing (EHN) consists of various healthcare professionals, namely, Registered Nurses (RN) with DHA licenses, Health Care Assistants (HCA) with certificates in nursing, Physio Therapist & finally the administration team who work together to provide comprehensive care to patients.

Regarding the presence of in-house trained doctors for emergency situations, EHN has made the necessary arrangements to address medical emergencies by collaborating with on-call doctors working in healthcare facilities to ensure prompt emergency medical support when needed.

Q– What is the customer base of EHN?

Alka Uttamchandani – EHN has been in the market for over 13 years and we typically cater to a diverse range of clients. Our target customers include:

• Expatriates – Considering UAE has a significant expatriate population, many expatriates require home nursing services for themselves or their family members.
• UAE Nationals – Residents, including Emiratis and other UAE nationals, also utilize our home nursing services especially individuals who require medical assistance with activities of daily living.
• Senior population – EHN services are frequently sought by elderly individuals who require assistance with medical care, medication management, mobility support, or companionship.
• Individuals with chronic illness or disabilities – They benefit from our care services as these include specialized medical care, therapy, and support in managing their condition.
• Post-operative care – EHN also caters to individuals who have recently undergone surgery or have been discharged from the hospital and require additional care and monitoring during their recovery process.
• Tourists – Last but not least, EHN offers childcare services to tourists and visitors to ensure that parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are in safe hands. We aim to create a pleasant and comfortable experience for them during their stay in the UAE, allowing them to fully enjoy their time while knowing that their children’s well-being is our top priority.

Q– Any Special training for senior or old age patients, as old age people, are more emotional and connected to their families only

Alka Uttamchandani – At EHN, we recognize the unique needs of senior or old-age patients and understand the importance of emotional support and family connections. To ensure the highest quality of service, we provide special training to our caregivers specifically tailored for senior care. This training focuses on enhancing their understanding of the emotional needs of older adults and equips them with effective communication skills to establish strong connections with our senior patients. Our caregivers are trained to provide compassionate care, fostering a supportive environment that promotes emotional well-being and respects the significance of family bonds. We prioritize maintaining open lines of communication with the families of our senior patients, involving them in care planning and keeping them informed about their loved one’s well-being. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care that not only addresses the physical needs of older adults but also recognizes and supports their emotional well-being and family connections.

Q– How EHN is breaking the barrier of linguistics or communication with different language-speaking patients?

Alka Uttamchandani – We understand that effective communication is the key to providing quality care to patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds and hence we have hired a diverse team of caregivers who are fluent in multiple languages. This enables us to match patients with caregivers who can communicate effectively in their preferred language.

Q– Do you have any special team for taking care of special children, as their requirements are entirely different from a normal patient?

Alka Uttamchandani – Yes most definitely, we recognize that special children have unique needs and require specialized care. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for special children, where their unique abilities and challenges are understood and supported. To cater to their specific requirements, we have a dedicated team of professionals who are trained and experienced in caring for children with special needs and who work closely with the families of these children to develop personalized care plans that meet their specific needs and goals. The professional team consists of caregivers, speech therapists, physiotherapists, and nurses who have expertise in providing comprehensive care, thereby, providing a holistic approach for the care of special children.

EHN aims to provide comprehensive and compassionate care that is tailored to the child’s unique requirements, thereby, promoting his/her overall growth and development.

Q– How was the business during COVID? Did EHN adopt any special training during COVID-19?

Alka Uttamchandani – During the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry faced unprecedented challenges, and EHN was no exception. However, we took all necessary measures to adapt and continue providing essential home nursing services while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our patients and staff.

For instance, we implemented strict infection control protocols in line with the guidelines and recommendations from health authorities. Our nursing staff received specialized training on COVID-19 prevention measures, including proper hand hygiene, the use of face masks, and maintaining a clean and sanitized environment. This was essential in ensuring the safety of our patients and minimizing the risk of transmission.     

Overall, while the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, we proactively adapted our operations, implemented stringent safety measures, and provided specialized training to ensure the continued delivery of safe and quality care to our patients. Our commitment to the well-being and health of our patients remained unwavering throughout this challenging time.

Q– DHA is aggressively adopting machine learning, We have seen the use of robots, equipped with emotional intelligence for taking care of patients and special children. How will you see it, a challenge from machine learning and AI to your business? 

Alka Uttamchandani – The adoption of machine learning and AI in the healthcare industry, including the use of robots with emotional intelligence, represents a significant advancement in technology and has the potential to transform patient care. While these innovations bring new possibilities, we believe that they can complement and enhance the services we provide at Emirates Home Nursing rather than pose a direct challenge to our business.

At EHN, we prioritize the human element in healthcare. Our approach is centered around compassionate, personalized care delivered by our qualified nursing staff who establish meaningful connections with patients and their families. We understand the importance of emotional support and the unique needs of everyone, especially when it comes to special children or patients requiring special care.

While machines and AI technologies can assist in certain tasks and provide additional support, we believe that human touch, empathy, and understanding are essential in healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations. Our nurses and caregivers develop trust-based relationships with patients, addressing their emotional and physical needs with care and compassion. Moreover, our services go beyond clinical care. We provide companionship, emotional support, and a sense of belonging, which is crucial for patients, especially those in need of special care.

As technology continues to advance, we embrace the opportunities it brings. For example, we provide digital platforms for easy access to information for clients and a smooth communication process with our team.

Ultimately, we see the combination of human expertise, compassionate care, and the use of technology as the optimal approach to healthcare which will enable us to continue delivering high-quality, personalized care that meets the unique needs of our patients.

Q– What are the future plans of the company?

Alka Uttamchandani –We are currently considering the below future plans:

Service Expansion: We have exciting plans underway to expand our service offerings to meet the evolving needs of our valued clients. While I am unable to disclose specific details at this time, I encourage you to stay tuned and witness the comprehensive approach we take to cater to a wide range of client requirements. We are committed to providing holistic care and addressing the diverse needs of our clients.

Mobile App Launch:  A mobile app can provide a more convenient and accessible way for our customers to interact with us and manage their bookings from their smartphones. This can save time and eliminate the need for phone calls or in-person appointments. This will also help to gain greater customer loyalty and engagement as it would give easy access to important information about the different services, such as service offerings, pricing, and availability. This would indeed help our customers make informed decisions about the type of home healthcare service that best meets their needs.

In short, a mobile app can provide our customers with a convenient and efficient way to manage their home healthcare needs, stay informed, and communicate with their caregivers.