Cancer is one of the most common critical illnesses and a 2021 statistic showed that the UAE cancer rate in young adults was 5 times higher in the UAE than in the UK and US.

Unfortunately this means that the likelihood of knowing or working with someone who may develop cancer is common. However, what can employers do to help support employees who may develop cancer and how can organisations provide support for employees?

On a fundamental basis, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), cancer patients have access to a wide range of support services depending on their medical insurance and personal circumstances, including medical treatment, psychological support, and in some cases financial assistance. The government has invested heavily in healthcare infrastructure, and there are several state-of-the-art cancer treatment centers in the country, such as the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai Cancer Care Center. These centers offer a range of treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

What support services and organisations are there in the UAE for Cancer Patients?

What support services and organisations are there in the UAE for Cancer Patients

 

There are several organisations and resources in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that offer support for cancer patients and their families. Some examples include:

It is best to check the website of these organisation for more accurate and updated information and also you can contact the hospital you are receiving treatment for more detailed resources and support groups for cancer patients in UAE.

Additionally, the UAE has a number of support organisations that provide services to cancer patients and their families. For example, the Pink Caravan is a breast cancer awareness and screening initiative that provides education and support to women in the UAE. There is also the Emirates Cancer Foundation and many other options throughout the UAE.

There are also several private hospitals and clinics in the UAE such as The Cleveland Clinic and Mediclinic that provide cancer treatment. These facilities offer a range of services, including diagnostic testing, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.

Overall, there is a wide range of support available for cancer patients in the UAE, including access to top-notch medical treatment, psychological support, and financial assistance.

How to speak to your family and friends to tell them you have cancer:

How to speak to your family and friends to tell them you have cancer

Telling your family and friends that you have cancer can be a difficult and emotional experience.

Here are a few tips that may help make the conversation a bit easier:
  • Prepare what you want to say: Think about what you want to tell your loved ones, and how you want to say it. It can be helpful to write down what you want to say, so that you can refer to it during the conversation.
  • Choose the right time and place: Consider the best time and place to have the conversation. You may want to have the conversation in a private and comfortable setting, where you and your loved ones can talk openly and honestly.
  • Be honest and direct: Be honest about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Share as much information as you feel comfortable with, but also be prepared to answer any questions they may have.
  • Be mindful of their feelings: Remember that your loved ones may be feeling a range of emotions, including shock, sadness, and fear. Be prepared to support and comfort them, and let them know that you are there for them as well.
  • Allow them to express their emotions: It’s important to give your loved ones the space and time to process the news and express their emotions. They may want to talk about their feelings, ask questions, or simply be silent.
  • Offer them resources: Provide them with information and resources, such as a cancer center or support group, that can help them understand your diagnosis and treatment options.
  • Communicate openly: Keep them informed about your diagnosis, treatment, and progress. Let them know what you need and how they can help you.

Remember that everyone responds differently and that it’s important to be patient with them. It’s important to remember that they love you and they just want to support you.

How to tell your employer you have cancer:

How to tell your employer you have cancer

On top of having to tell your family and friends, communicating with your employer and colleagues about your health condition can be daunting.

Here are a few tips which may help when having this discussion:
  • Prepare what you want to say and who you would like to communicate with. This may be your direct boss, your HR department, subordinates, and or a combination of these people. 
  • Book a suitable time and location for the meeting so that you are comfortable and have a dedicated time and space to do this. This may be best done offsite rather than the office, however it needs to be somewhere that you are comfortable. 
  • Think about what you want to tell your employer, and how you want to say it. It can be helpful to write down what you want to say, so that you can refer to it during the conversation.
  • Be honest and direct: Be honest about your diagnosis and treatment plan. Share as much information as you feel comfortable with, but also be prepared to answer any questions they may have. 
  • Discuss your plans for treatment and recovery: Let your employer know about your plans for treatment and recovery, and how it may impact your work schedule. Be as specific as possible and let them know when you expect to be able to return to work.
  • Be familiar with the laws and policies: Be familiar with the laws and policies that protect employees as well as your company medical policy and UAE sick leave laws and regulations. 
  • Ask for flexibility: If you need accommodations to be made to continue working, such as flexible hours or the ability to work from home, let your employer know what you would like and provide documentation from your doctor if necessary. It’s important to understand that your employer may need to discuss this internally and may not have an immediate answer.
  • Communicate openly: Keep your employer informed about your diagnosis, treatment, and progress. Let them know what you need and how they can help you and how you would like (or not like) your condition to be communicated to employees and clients.
  • Schedule a follow up meeting to allow your employer time to discuss your situation internally and come back to you with a plan of action.

It’s important to remember that your employer’s primary concern is the well-being of their employees and that they want to support you and help you to manage your condition. You should also consider consulting with a Human Resources representative for guidance.

Managing your Medical Insurance:

If you don’t already have one, ask for a copy of your medical insurance policy and seek assistance from your HR department if necessary. Whilst the UAE doesn’t have a national health service, there are some fantastic cancer treatment facilities and services available.

In most cases, depending on the Emirate you reside in, your employer (in Dubai and the UAE) is mandated to provide medical insurance for you. Ensure that you familiarise yourself with the policy, the network, coverage limits, pre-approval process and all procedures prior to embarking on your treatment plan. More information on this can be found here.

Support Employees who have a family with cancer:

Support Employees who have family with cancer

As well as supporting employees who have cancer, organisations should also be aware of and provide support to employees with family members undergoing cancer treatment. This may involve remote working options, flexible working hours, unpaid leave, emotional support and much more. Further ideas on how you can support employees who have family undergoing cancer treatment can be found here.

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