As Filipinos continue to work here in the UAE, one of the most common, yet most crucial factors that they tend to neglect is their own health. Most of them will just drink more water, use affordable over-the-counter medicine, or sleep off whatever pain they’re experiencing as they are apprehensive of getting their health checked, especially in a foreign country in fear of being unfit to work.
The good news is Filipinos now have a place where they can feel at home as they get their treatment. At the NMC Mabuhay Clinic, more and more Filipinos are finding their way towards better health and peace of mind as they get adequate service and responsive treatment from the hospital’s Filipino-centric staff: From the front desk to the head of the department, all of the staff are pure Filipinos, ready to assist their fellow Pinoys anytime.
At the head of NMC Mabuhay Clinic is Dr. Aileen Villanueva who found herself leading the hospital division as she serves fellow Filipinos with compassion. “Working at Mabuhay Clinic feels like “home” both for me and patients. I am comfortable in giving medical advice to Filipino patients we share similar traditions and cultures,” shares Villanueva.
Dr. Miki Yamamoto Balin, Specialist Pediatrician at NMC Mabuhay Clinic who has been in the service of fellow Filipinos and other nationalities for the past 7 years, said that the hospital’s environment is conducive towards giving Filipinos a place where they can be confident to get their treatment with much tender loving care. “It is a workplace I am happy to be part of since it breathes the hospitality and TLC that Filipinos are known for – qualities which are very important in healthcare,” said Balin.
For Filipinos, By Filipinos
Villanueva believes that breaking the language barrier is one of the most important considerations for Filipinos to better convey what they really feel without feeling ashamed of how they express it in words. “One reason why NMC Mabuhay Clinic has a Filipino-centric staffing is the elimination of language barrier between the patient and healthcare provider. Our patients can easily approach the staff without hesitation from the reception to nurses and doctors,” explains Villanueva.
Balin furthers that the NMC Mabuhay Clinic serves as a catalyst for Filipinos towards the improvement of their overall well-being: “This innovative concept of establishing a clinic that caters specifically for the Filipinos thoroughly promotes the health and well-being of our countrymen working here in the UAE devoid of any language barrier and cultural differences.”
Providing Medical Advice with Compassion
Villanueva assures that Filipino expats are welcome at NMC Mabuhay Clinic to aid them towards a better life as they continue to work here in the UAE. “At NMC Mabuhay Clinic, we will make everyone feel that this is their ‘home away from home’ with regards to their health issues with personalized care. We practice compassion and holistic approach in treating patients, not just focusing on the physical illness but also other factors that may affect the patient’s current health status.”
NMC Mabuhay Clinic is located at the 4th floor of their Dental Clinic at the Madinat Zayed area (near Madinat Zayed Mall and Gold Souq, behind the NMC Specialty Hospital) in Abu Dhabi.
