‘Carriers of Thalassemia disease can go up to 1m in UAE’

By PMA RASHEED 

19 April 2011, The Gulf Today

Dubai: The number of carriers of the genetic disease thalassemia in the UAE may go up to 1 million, revealed a senior health official on Monday.

Dr Khawla Belhoul, director of the Thalassemia Centre of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), said that approximately 600,000 people in the Emirates are carriers of the disease. 
According to him, the number of patients may increase with the continuous influx of people from other countries, which are at high risk of the disease.

Thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the number of normal blood cells in the body. If two carriers have children, the likelihood of each child developing the disease is 25 per cent.

“Thalassemic patients are hooked on to blood for survival. They need regular, lifelong transfusions of blood. For thalassemia patients, blood is the most important resource, to ensure their survival. All the members of the society should come forward to donate and help save the lives of thousands of patients,” urged Dr Belhoul.

She was speaking to the media at a five-day awareness campaign, to mark World Thalassemia Day 2011, which falls on May 8.

According to her, the number of thalassemic patients in our society speaks volumes about the prevalence of this condition and thus such initiatives are vital to educate our community and reach out to them.

“In the UAE, one in 12 people carry the gene for thalassemia. Around 40 per cent of the patients at the Dubai Thalassemia Centre are Emiratis. Another 40 per cent are expatriates from Asian and African countries, while the other 20 per cent of thalassemic patients are Arab nationals,” elaborated Dr Belhoul.

“Geographically speaking, South Middle East, Mediterranean and Asian countries are at the highest risks of the condition. The rates of prevalence of the genetic disease vary from six to 12 to even 16 per cent in the countries,” she said.

The Dubai Thalassemia Centre is the Emirate’s only dedicated facility to manage this condition by providing internationally recognised levels of care in chronic disease management for thalassemic patients.

“About 420 patients receive regular treatment and blood transfusions at the centre,” noted Dr Belhoul, “Each patient requires approximately 34 units of blood annually through an average 17 transfusions. However, additional units of blood may be required depending on the patient’s condition. We also receive extra patients who visit the centre for transfusions from time to time.”

“Education of patients, family members and the public in general, is a key part of chronic disease management and we at the centre strongly advocate the importance of such campaigns and initiatives which provide the public information and well as give them an opportunity to ask questions about the disease,” she added.

Khalid Al Sheikh Mubarak, deputy director general at the DHA, said the efforts of the authority are towards reducing the prevalence of Thalassemia in the society.

“The DHA will send eight thalassemic patients to Turkey for a holiday trip as part of the campaign to support them. Patients above the age of 18 will fly to Turkey on the April 22, along with two nurses from the thalassemia centre,” he added.

According to him, the trip will provide them with recreational activities to break the monotony of regular treatments, which they need to undergo.

After this campaign, staff members and patients from the centre will head to the 14th TIF (Thalassemia International Federation) international conference for patients and parents, which will take place in Turkey from May 11 to 14.

UAE launches single infant vaccination for 6 diseases

By PMA RASHEED 

20 Jan 2011, The Gulf Today

The UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) on Wednesday introduced a nationwide infant immunisation programme, in which six vaccines for different diseases have been combined together into one single shot of injection to be administered at two months of age.

The one-time injection will maximise the immunisation coverage from six types of diseases including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenza Type-B, Hepatitis B and Poliomyelitis, said a senior MoH official at a vaccination training programme in Sharjah.

Dr Mahmoud Fikri, assistant undersecretary for Health Policies at the MoH, indicated that infants across the country will be provided with the six-in-one hexavalent vaccine from February onwards at primary health centres or community and preventive medicine facilities of the ministry.

"The UAE is the first country in the Gulf region to introduce the combined infants' vaccination programme. The private sector hospitals and clinics should follow the ministry initiative of combined vaccination as part of the national immunisation programme 2011," he added.

"With simplicity of administration or improved compliance and effectiveness, the free-of-charge combined vaccination reduces the anxiety of parents as it lessens pain felt by babies, while it provides the same degree of protection from the diseases," elaborated Dr Fikri.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, director of Sharjah Medical District, said that the workshop has been conducted for the vaccination staff members of the public sector across the seven Emirates to give them hands-on training on the methods of storage, preparing and administering the combined vaccine.

"It also focused on updating their knowledge on the new vaccine based on modern scientific developments and recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO)," he added.

"The workshop also highlighted the methods of dealing with mothers and creating awareness among them on the national vaccination programme," said Al Qasimi.

Dr Ibrahim Al Qadi, director of Preventive Medicine Department at the MoH, said that the programme is continuously reviewed and updated to cope with the advances in the field of immunology.
"As the hexavalent vaccine provides protection against six diseases with one single injection, it reduces the number of visits to the health centres," he added.

According to him, it makes easier for the mothers to complete all scheduled immunisations on time without delays.

Dr Gamil M Tourky, technical director of Preventive Medicine in Sharjah, said that the NIP chart for the details of childhood vaccination until five years of age would be modified in accordance with the new vaccine programme.

"The hexavalent vaccine, which is being introduced in different phases, will replace the second and third doses of Pentavalent vaccine which is administered at end of the fourth and sixth month. This will happen when the oral polio vaccine is replaced by the intramuscular, injectable polio vaccine which is incorporated in the hexavalent vaccine," Dr Tourky elaborated.

Nearly 409,500 diabetics in UAE suffer from nerve pain

By PMA RASHEED

12 Nov 2010, The Gulf Today 

About 26 per cent of diabetics in the UAE suffer from the risk of nerve pain making it a leading and costly healthcare problem for the UAE, warn pain management experts ahead of World Diabetes Day, which falls on Nov.14.

According to them, diabetic nerve pain is a major challenge for the UAE with around a quarter of diabetics at risk of the complication. This number rises to 50 per cent for those who have had diabetes for more than 10 years.

Dr Mohamed Saada, consultant neurologist at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said that the condition, a painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, affects more than 400,000 people having type-2 diabetes in the UAE, although research reveals that not all patients report their symptoms.

“Diabetes is reported to affect up to one fifth of the UAE’s adult population, which was estimated to have hit 8.19 million in May 2010. This means that right now around 1.6 million people in the UAE suffer from diabetes,” he added.

“Approximately 409,500 of these diabetic patients could be suffering from nerve pain and needing treatment,” noted Dr Saada.

According to him, the complication occurs due to damage to the nerves as a result of raised and uncontrolled blood glucose levels seen in diabetics.

“It presents as either a burning pain, numbness or tingling in one or more of the limbs. The pain can be very severe with some patients not even able to tolerate the weight of their bed sheets on their thighs,” he said.

“The pain associated with the diabetic neuropathy varies in severity depending on the type of nerve damage caused. The pain can be localised to the feet or can spread up the legs to the knees and to the waist and trunk. It can involve one limb or all four limbs and sometimes there can be facial or back pain,” he elaborated.

“However,” Dr Saada pointed out, “despite suffering severe pain, many patients fail to seek medical help due to cultural conventions that frown on voicing concerns over pain. As a result, only around 10 per cent of patients with painful diabetic neuropathy seek medical help.”

Dr Ammar El Salti, Consultant anaesthetist and pain management expert at the ZayedMilitary Hospital in Abu Dhabi said, “The local population fails to come forward for treatment due to social constraints, even when diabetic nerve pain is having a detrimental effect on their quality of life.”

“Chronic pain causes physical disabilities, as well as sleep disturbances, insomnia and mood disturbances, eventually plunging into anxiety and depression damaging the quality of life,” he warned.

According to him, pain-sufferers also have to take time off work which costs the country’s economy millions of dollars.

New neurosurgical procedure gives accident victims hope

By PMA RASHEED

23 Sept 2010, The Gulf Today

DAMAGES to the nerves due to road accidents, paralysis, or cuts in the spinal cord nerve cells will be able to heal in the UAE hospitals with the support of an innovative neurological surgery procedure, say health officials.

The treatment will be given to such patients with the help of a technology that uses stem cells to cure the brain scratches, said Dr Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licences at the MoH.

“Stem cells taken from the patient’s body itself will be injected to the affected nerves. The treatment is applied in new cases that cannot be cured by traditional medicine or physiotherapy,” he added.

The UAE hospitals in both public and private sectors will be able to practise the neurological surgery method to take care of such cases, noted Dr Amiri.

Aimed at highlighting the role of the new technology in the country’s healthcare sector, the MoH has organised an educational workshop in this regard at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) on Wednesday.

A presentation was made by Dr Hallock Dida, a Turkish advisor and expert, to a number of surgeons and neurology specialists from both public and private hospitals across the country.

“The cooperation between the MoH and the private sector comes as part of a new strategy to develop advanced healthcare services inside the country,” noted Dr Amiri.

“The new strategies aim to meet the requirements of the residents, providing them with opportunities of receiving all kinds of treatments inside the country rather than going abroad,” he pointed out.

“Further modern healthcare technologies will be introduced in the country, so the residents can depend completely on the country’s facilities for various treatments and surgeries, gradually strengthening the health tourism scenario in the UAE,” elaborated Dr Amiri.

Man with high-risk cardiac disorder gets new lease of life

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 29 July 2010

A SYRIAN man got a new lease of life after treatment from a rare high-risk cardiac disorder that throws most patients to the clutches of death.

On July 15, Adnan Bahaa El Din was speaking to his wife over the phone in Syria while he was alone at home in Sharjah. In a couple of minutes he felt something unusual in his chest.

When it worsened suddenly, El Din was hurriedly taken to Al Qassimi hospital, and was admitted to the emergency ward. His condition turned out to be highly serious and doctors decided to perform a surgical procedure on him.

El Din went into coma and the doctors detected that he suffered from a severe ravishment of the aorta artery inner wall.

Cardiac specialists at the hospital said that El Din suffered from a sudden and unusual high blood pressure leading to the severe cardiac disorder coupled with a heart stroke and partial paralysis caused by thrombosis.

"The case was one of the high risk and critical conditions, where about 20 per cent of the patients die immediately," remarked Dr Santosh Mathew, consultant and head of cardiology surgery, at Al Qassimi Hospital.

"El Din [underwent] an open heart surgery that lasted for more than six hours, as his disorders were diagnosed by ultrasound and CT scan," he added.

"A team consisting of seven doctors, a heart device technician and two specialist cardiac nurses performed the surgical procedures on the patient, who had blood clots on the heart with increased blood flow," noted Dr Mathew.

El Din has been working in the UAE as a teacher, after living long years in the USA.

According to Dr Mohamed Abdul Aziz, consultant cardiologist at Al Qassimi Hospital, "high blood pressure, smoking habit and obesity are the main reasons for the higher prevalence of cardiac diseases in the UAE."

Beat the heat

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 27 June 2010

THE hazards of living and working in the Middle East under elevated temperatures can range from simply being annoyed by the heat to a life threatening emergency, warns an expert in the related health issues during summer.

However, there are ways in which people can beat the heat effectively in order to protect themselves from the perils of exposure to the hot conditions, Dr Mohammed Motawally, a specialist medical practitioner at the Municipality Clinic in Dubai, says.

“You must take precautions to avoid heat stress, or you may be subjected to a number of heat-related health problems ranging from heat stroke to heat exhaustion, heat rash and heat cramps,” he advises.

Dr Motawally explained the process of heat generation in the body, “There are two main ways in which our bodies produce heat. The body generates heat through the digestion of food and exercise, which is called metabolic heat. The other is environment heat, in which the body absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, whether it is the hot sun or a hot room.”

In his opinion, there are three methods in which our bodies can be cooled, like ‘convention,’ a process of transfer of heat through the circulation of air. In the body’s cooling system, a radiation also happens, emitting the heat naturally from the body’s surface. An evaporation process also occurs to cool the body when a liquid changes into vapour.

“Conditions affecting the body’s cooling system include acclimation or adaptation to a new climate, which is the biological process through which our bodies adapt to the environment - basically getting used to the heat,” he noted.

According to Dr Motawally, other factors disturbing the body’s cooling system are heat in the air that flows from warmer objects, movement of the air that speeds the evaporation process, and clothing - the type of clothing that affects the amount of heat our bodies absorb and retain.

“Among the heat-related health problems, heat rash - which is also known as prickly heat - is most common. It occurs in hot, humid environments where sweat can’t easily evaporate from the skin,” he pointed out.

“This condition produces a rash which in some cases causes severe pain. The procedure to prevent or minimise the condition is to rest frequently in cool places and bath regularly [making sure one] thoroughly dries skin,” he added.

“Meanwhile, heat cramps are painful muscle spasms that result from the loss of salt and electrolytes due to excessive sweating. The cramps will usually affect the stomach, the arms and legs. This condition, which usually precedes heat exhaustion, can be treated by drinking fluids containing electrolytes such as calcium, sodium and potassium,” elaborated Dr Motawally.

He said that heat exhaustion is a state brought on by the loss of fluids during excessive sweating. Individuals with heat exhaustion still sweat, but they experience extreme weakness and may even collapse.

“The patients may experience nausea and headache. Their skin can be clammy or moist and their complexion usually becomes pale with a usually normal or slightly higher body temperature,” he explained. “This condition is best treated by taking the patient to a cool place, applying cool compresses, elevating the feet and giving the individual plenty of fluids.”

Dr Motawally pointed out that “the cases of heat stroke require severe medical emergency as the risk may lead the patient to death. It results when the body’s core temperature gets too high and the body is no longer able to cool itself.”

“An individual suffering from a heat stroke will have hot and dry skin, their pulse will be high and their blood pressure will fall. The patient may have irrational behaviour, may be in a state of confusion or may become comatose. The body’s core temperature may exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit,” he said.

“If not treated promptly, the core temperature will rise too high and death will follow,” he warned. “This condition must be treated by immediately cooling the victim’s body with water or wrapping them in cool wet sheets. The patients are advised to seek immediate medical attention.”

Dr Motawally suggested tips to prevent heat-related health hazards, which could save us from plunging into emergencies. First of all, people have to make sure they don’t stay in the sun for too long. They should also keep the following tips in mind:

Acclimation- Get accustomed to the weather prior to long durations of physical activity.

Maintain Body Fluids- Fluid intake must be maintained throughout the course of physical activity. Do not rely on thirst as an indicator of dehydration because your body loses water faster than you realise.

Alcohol should be avoided because it is a diuretic, which increases dehydration and can interfere with heat loss.

Proper Diet- Eat light and stay away from heavy foods. They increase metabolic heat production and also increase water loss.

Eat smaller, well-balanced meals more often.

Dress light- Wear light-weight and light-coloured clothing that reflects heat and sunlight, helping your body maintain normal temperatures.

Wear loose-fitting clothes such as cotton, which lets the air move over your body.

Wide brimmed hats should also be worn.

Take sufficient rest, pacing your individual work activities at a slower rate during high temperatures.

Take frequent rest periods in a shaded area and drink plenty of fluids.

Gulf’s cholesterol menace

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, I July 2010

One in every two persons in the GCC countries has increased level of cholesterol, and over 25 per cent of deaths in the UAE are caused by cardiac disorders, discloses a recent study.

The epidemiological transition during the last few decades in the Gulf countries has occurred with a gradual increase in chronic diseases. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is estimated to be 54 per cent. Moreover, more than 70 per cent of the region’s adult population is obese, revealed the statistics.

Attributed to the major risk factors caused by the higher prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among the people living in the region, cardiovascular disease has emerged as the number one cause of mortality in this part of the world.

The negligence of hypercholesterolemic patients on the fatal burdens of cardiac disorders, coupled with substandard medical care by the doctors practicing in the Gulf countries, has boosted the predominance of cholesterol-induced challenges in the region, commented an expert.

Dr Omar K Hallak, board member of Emirates Cardiac Society and chief interventional cardiologist at American Hospital in Dubai, said that half of the UAE patients with high cholesterol don’t achieve results due to insufficient or wrong medications. The hypercholesterolemia is more prevalent in men than women.

“Most of the patients do not achieve the desired reduction in their cholesterol levels, which is attributed to the improper follow up of the treatments, diet and exercise recommendations, despite being treated with cholesterol-lowering medications,” he added.

“In many cases, the patients are not at a perfect cholesterol goal and are at higher risk of heart diseases, in spite of being under a cholesterol reducing medication,” he pointed out.

Dr Hallak was speaking to The Gulf Today in light of a comprehensive cholesterol research project, CEPHUS, carried out by Emirates Cardiac Society (ECS) and drug manufacturer AstraZeneca across the GCC countries, covering about 5,300 hypercholesterolemic patients, including 500 from the UAE.

The CEPHUS study, conducted in line with the ECS’s “Safe at Heart” programme, has revealed that lack of awareness on the seriousness of hypercholesterolemia, fact of negligence on proper continuation of medications and fear of side-effects from the medicines worsened the situation in the Gulf.

“Each patient in the region may suddenly plunge into cardiovascular complications, simply because they are not at cholesterol lowering goal,” warned Dr Hallak.

“The problem of hypercholesterolemia management is not restricted to patients who don’t take medications, but extends to those who take medications. At the global level, many patients think that they are safe because of taking medication. Actually they are not,” he said.

“A data published in Europe in the beginning of this year showed that only 50 per cent of patients on cholesterol treatment reached their desired treatment goal. But the status of patients in this region differs from that of Western patients in genes, nature of food and way of living. Until now, the Gulf lacked its own studies and precise statistics on the situation,” he elaborated.

He noted that findings of CEPHUS study will mirror the real situation in the Gulf. It’s the first step towards slapping the incidences of cardiovascular diseases, while improving the quality of cardiac care in the near future. Education programmes should be developed, focusing on patients as well as physicians.

“The Gulf people are a homogenous sample as they share similar way of living, similar food culture and severe climatic conditions,” said Dr Khalid Humaid Al-Rasadi, consultant biochemist and lipid specialist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Oman.

“The significant research will give the Arab World vital data on how to effectively treat patients,” he added. “It is the first study that looks into control of the situation.”

“The metabolic syndrome in the GCC countries is around 10 to 15 per cent, higher than in most developed countries, with generally higher prevalence rates for women according to some recent systematic reviews,” he pointed out.

According to Dr Al Rasadi, hyperlipidimia is an important feature of this syndrome, which has been attributed to physical inactivity, diet quality, lower education and higher incomes.

“Addressing the modifiable risk factors of the metabolic syndrome on a population basis is a public health priority. So, the CEPHUS study will give answers on the cholesterol control in metabolic syndrome,” he added.

Dr Fadel Shaker, medical manager at AstraZeneca Gulf, said that the CEPHUS research monitored the group of patients who were taking lipid-lowering medication. Being the largest such survey in the region to date, the study forms part of a larger, earlier European project that looked at 15,000 patients.

“The European study found that poor compliance often resulted when the therapy was frequently changed or doses increased and one of the conclusions drawn was that patients should be better informed and encouraged to stick firmly to their treatment regime,” he added.

“Ten per cent overall reduction in cholesterol levels can cut heart diseases by half, with scientists saying that men over 40 years of age (a group that is particularly at risk) only have to reduce their cholesterol levels by 10 per cent to lower their risk of heart disease by 50 per cent,” explained Shaker.

Dr Hallak said, “Patients should continuously monitor their cholesterol level and consult their doctors regularly to review their plan of treatment, which is lifelong, against achieving the goal they should reach.”

“It will definitely contribute in raising the standard of cholesterol management and hence will protect thousands of patients from developing cardiovascular diseases that might be fatal for them,” he added.

75% Dubai workers lack health coverage

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 28 June 2010

A striking difference has been noticed between low and high income groups of Dubai residents in regards to enjoying the benefits of quality and transparent healthcare services in the emirate, reveals a survey.

The findings of the first comprehensive Dubai Household Health Survey (DHHS) have ignited plans of the local health authority to tailor its existing policies to meet the population’s healthcare requirements in an evidence-based manner.

The DHHS, reaching out to the people in the age group of 18 to 59 years living and working in the emirate to understand their health and health care needs, has been carried out recently by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in tandem with the Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC).

The survey covered a total of 5,000 households in Dubai, including 2,500 UAE nationals and 2,500 non-UAE nationals, among whom 700 respondents were labourers, with a response rate of 97.6 per cent, says a senior health official.

Dr Eldaw Abdalla Suliman, Head of Research and Performance Section at the DHA, said that preliminary results of the DHHS unveil a serious assessment of the present health status of Dubai and raised concerns over a number of related issues.

“The survey revealed that 75 per cent of the low-income expatriates of Dubai lack health insurance coverage and the rate is 20 per cent among the high-income group expats. Meanwhile, about 95 per cent of the UAE nationals have been covered by health insurance schemes,” he pointed out.

“The prevalence of diabetes is at 16 per cent among the citizens living in Dubai, while it’s eight per cent among the expatriate communities. The prevalence has stunning variations among diabetics of different age groups,” added Dr Suliman.

“The prevalence of hypertension among citizens is at 22.26 per cent, while it’s only at 2.75 per cent among the expats. The habit of smoking grips 8.62 Emiratis in Dubai, and 13 per cent of the non-nationals. Fifteen per cent of the population in Dubai faces risks of passive smoking, with 11.44 per cent of Emirati passive smokers and it’s 16 per cent when it comes to expats,” he elaborated.

Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA, said, “The DHHS has an unprecedented assessment of the healthcare needs of Dubai’s nationals, residents and visitors. The detailed information on their health issues obtained during the survey will be analysed over the next 18 months,” she added.

“The study will help the DHA prioritise the emirate’s health issues and develop effective and long-term solutions to address them. The authority has to improve public access to health care services, and implement better policies to tackle chronic diseases,” she added.

“The DHHS gathered data on several health modules of strategic significance. It is a solid evidence for decision making and providing baseline estimates for the health sector’s major key performance indicators,” noted Al Jassmi.

Afaf Ahmed Bu Assaiba, Director of Population and Social Statistics at the Dubai Statistics Centre, said that the surveyors randomly selected households across the emirate and obtained detailed responses.

“The issues ranged from household expenditure on health, health coverage, overseas healthcare, fertility and childhood mortality. Questions also related to their overall physical health including daily physical activities, health service coverage and chronic conditions,” she elaborated.

“The respondents have been quizzed on their experiences of symptoms for diseases such as arthritis, blood cholesterol, blood lipids, diabetes, insulin resistance, asthma, blood clots, stroke and brain hemorrhage,” she added.

“The questionnaire also enquired whether the respondents have visited a healthcare practitioner for the same, medical tests and hospitalisation they have undertaken over the last 12 months, reason for the hospitalisation, surgeries undertaken during the period, satisfaction level with the healthcare services provided, as well as medications they are currently taking,” noted Assaiba.

According to her, a series of queries related to mental health as well as injuries like road traffic damages to the body have also been raised to the respondents.

Ministry to conduct national nutrition survey

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 20 June 2010

A comprehensive food survey, covering all the seven emirates, to identify the perfect dietary patterns of the UAE residents, will be conducted by the Ministry of Health (MoH) by the end of the year in tandem with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The national food survey is expected to be carried out after this summer, and the action plan is currently being studied by the ministry, according to a senior health official.

Dr Salem Al Darmaki, the acting director general of the MOH, said, “A delegation of seven experts from the WHO and International Council for Iodine Deficiency Disorder will visit the UAE from June 19 to 27 to participate in the ongoing planning and preparation of the survey.”

“A national committee for the survey has been formed consisting of representatives from the MoH, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Dubai Health Authority and Ministry of Economy. Experts from the UAE University also will be part of the survey,” he added.

“Prior to the launch of the survey, the MoH has to complete administrative procedures with other relevant local authorities, and technical requirements like preparation of paper works and assigning manpower,” pointed out Dr Al Darmaki.

“The health ministry officials conducted a first-of-its-kind consultative meeting with the WHO experts on Saturday in Dubai, and discussed methods of developing educational programmes focusing on the area of nutrition and health,” he noted.

According to him, such academic programmes will help the country in preventing proliferation of non-communicable diseases that sweep residents' health apparently, impacting the financial stability of the country.

Dr Mahmoud Fikri, the executive director for Health Policies at the MoH, said that the health ministry ensures quality healthcare services for all the residents in the country by implementing potential health policies and joining hands with local and international bodies.

“The strategic objective of the country is to promote health, education, hygienic behaviour and lifestyle to reduce risk factors related to non-communicable diseases,” he added.

Dr Fikri quoted recent statistics and said that non-communicable diseases could cause seven deaths out of 10 deaths in the world by the end of this year.

“The operational plan for the survey will be implemented clearly defining the role of each participant. The interview samples will also be finalised by the committee, determining the sample sizes, selection of required tests as well as preparation of laboratories and training of field researchers,” he elaborated.

According to him, the MoH initiative comes after continuous efforts for fighting and eradicating non-communicable diseases.

Big boys get sick too

Studies have shown that men in the UAE often neglect their health. MHA has been launched to improve awareness of the major health risks pertaining to men.

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 16 June 2010

HEALTH is wealth, but when it comes to men in the UAE, it seems all's not well.

The stakes for good health among men in the UAE are too high and any complacency in this matter can be perilous, says an expert.

A United Nation's (UN) report in 2009 revealed that men in the UAE have a shorter life expectancy of 77 years, while their female counterparts are expected to live 79 years.

In the global scenario, women are 33 per cent more likely than men to visit a doctor in general, although the gap narrows with increasing age, disclosed a recent study.

"The biggest problem that men face is not so much a specific disease," says Dr Nabil Mitry, "but the diseases which are the result of a general lack of health care monitoring and awareness earlier in life. The big picture shows that death rates from specific men's health issues are not falling."

"Men die at higher rates than women among all top 10 causes of death. Any person who is not connected to a doctor to screen for minor or major health problems is at greater risk of disease and death. Studies pointedly show that the UAE men neglect their health," said the region's pioneer specialist on male-specific health issues.

"Men take less time and initiative to take care of their health, seek medical advice or even search for information. The result is that one in three of the UAE men will be already suffering from specific men's health issues, and one in four of them will likely die from it," he warned.

"If a man doesn't get his cholesterol checked when it's going high at the age of 20 years, and if he doesn't get his blood pressure checked when it's going high at 30, may be his blood sugar's getting a little high when he is 40 years, what does he think is going to happen when he's 50 years old?"

Dr Mitry posed the question on the occasion of the launch of the very first platform for the UAE's male population to raise health issues specific to them, get motivated for making potential lifestyle changes, eventually helping themselves prevent a cluster of alarming ailments.

The UAE Men's Health Alliance (MHA), the only national patient organisation of its kind, has been launched on Tuesday in Dubai with a mission of improving awareness of the major health risks pertaining to men.

The MHA plans to reverse the trend and bring the importance of men's health into spotlight. Dr Nabil Mitry is the chairperson of the non-profit group, which aims to educate men to look for the warning signs and have a better understanding of the key health issues affecting their health.

"The agenda is to help improve the overall health and wellbeing of the UAE's male population and raise awareness of the significant health conditions that put their lives in irrecoverable risks," he added.

"The MHA will focus on prevalent health issues ranging from cardiac disorders and diabetes to the often-overlooked conditions such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and physiological issues such as emotional divorce and depression," he elaborated.

"Taboos, embarrassment, stigmas and social pressure often associated with the men's health issues in the UAE should be overcome," observes Dr Mitry. "The MHA, through its awareness and outreach programmes, will provide information and educational resources on men's issues as well as the emotional factors within families due to depression caused by health problems of men."

The ED is a less talked but one of the most common diseases that men suffer in the UAE, which also has the world’s second largest diabetes prevalence and just look at the ratio of depression among the men. These are the problems which we can't be ignored anymore," he remarked.

When asked why the charitable network has been formed, the MHA spokesperson said that it aims to change attitudes, behaviours and lifestyles for the men in the UAE, as to how they view their own health. We will inform them on the best ways to improve their health situation.

Dr Mitry observed that raising awareness on men's health is one of the key challenges for the future. "The MHA wants men to know what the health issues are, what to look for, and how best to treat these issues before they become life-threatening health problems." "Educational campaigns will be conducted in workplaces, malls and other public gathering areas across the UAE, in tandem with the Ministry of Health, local health authorities and healthcare providers. A definitive set of key health messages for the men have been developed."

"Detection and treatment is delivered to all the UAE men in a responsible way," he ensures. "We don't want men anxiously rushing to see their GPs when there may be nothing wrong with them."

"Hopefully, the messages will strike a balance between giving men the information they need to be aware of, but giving accurate and consistent information to the men and their families, not causing unnecessary worries," Dr Mitry added.

UAE announces national nutrition strategy

BY PMA RASHEED

26 May 2010, The Gulf Today

The first national nutrition strategy of the UAE has been announced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Tuesday.

An executive committee will implement and follow up the national nutrition strategy, aimed at improving the nutritious status of the UAE residents in all age groups, according to health officials.

“Several components included in the nutrition strategy, such as dissemination of health and nutrition awareness in the UAE community, promotion of breastfeeding and healthy foods and physical education, in addition to the enhancement of mineral foods and micronutrients,” said Dr Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Director General of the MoH.

“The first national nutrition strategy has been launched by the MoH, in tandem with the World Health Organisation (WHO), to achieve health services of global standards in the UAE,” he added.

Dr Darmaki said the UAE’s health sector has been facing a range of challenges with proportional increase of non-communicable and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure due to the health patterns and behaviors of improper nutrition and physical inactivity,” he added. 

According to him, the MoH recognises the importance of good nutrition as a basis for the prevention of non-communicable diseases.

“The ministry worked with the WHO to develop the national nutrition strategy for the years 2010 to 2015, to improve the nutrition habits and reduce the rate of obesity and non-communicable diseases among different categories of the society, especially women and children,” said Dr Darmaki.

“The MoH will put into action the national nutrition strategy with various programmes in government and private sector, to increase the awareness of the residents on the importance of healthy habits as well as benefiting from various health services,” he explained.

“The primary healthcare sector will emphasise on early nutritional intervention programmes as they could effectively support the diagnosis and treatment process for diseases due to malnutrition,” he added.

According to him, the most prevalent common diseases due to malnutrition are coronary heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, injuries, high blood pressure, in addition to cancers and obesity.

MoH turns up heat on tobacco

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 25 May 2010

Following the federal anti-tobacco law announced last year, the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) is currently working on implementing the framework and executive by-laws for tobacco control in the country by developing various strategies to cut the consumption rate and reduce the demand for tobacco products.

Health officials at an anti-tobacco workshop held by the MoH in Dubai, in tandem with the World Health Organisation (WHO), on Monday said that the ministry will ensure optimal application and implementation of the national anti-tobacco law to regulate the use of tobacco products in the country.

The WHO delegation is currently on a visit to the UAE to evaluate the anti-tobacco programme and review procedures taken by the local authorities to control tobacco use.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued the National Anti-Tobacco Law on Jan.6, 2009 aimed at building a tobacco-resistant generation in the country.

Speaking at the seminar, Dr Hanif Hassan, the Minister of Health, said that the UAE’s draft anti-tobacco law had been announced years ago and the implementation of the federal law of 2009, in accordance with related studies on the legislation, will safeguard public health and have a great impact.

“The UAE spares no efforts to review and enact the legislation and by-laws, in cooperation with the competent authorities. The younger generation will be educated on the adverse effects of tobacco use and on the necessity of health protection, reduction of healthcare burdens, as well as economic, social and environmental impacts of the harmful behavior,” he added.

According to Dr Hassan, the law aims at complete elimination of tobacco usage and consumption by the community members by encouraging smokers to quit smoking.

Dr Salem Al Darmaky, Acting Director General of the MoH, said the federal anti-tobacco federal law consists of 22 articles, in addition to more annexes and explanations on some articles.

“Certain articles discuss the standard specifications of tobacco products, packaging and labeling of tobacco products, images and health warnings, permissible level of nicotine content as well as other items need more clarifications and explanations that can be easily implemented in reality,” he explained.

Darmaky added that the regulations have not been designed to destruct related business activities, but to construct a tobacco-resistant generation in the country.

“All sorts of materials and strategies to promote tobacco products or smoking habit, through direct or indirect advertising, have been prohibited under the law,” he said.

"The companies or individuals, who promote the tobacco products or advertise them in any way, will be convicted. Their publicity tools and materials will be confiscated in addition to closure of the firms," pointed out Dr Darmaky.

Dr Mahmoud Fikry, CEO for Health Policies at the MoH said that different forms of tobacco and its consumption methods have become an addictive habit and part of part of customs and values of many communities.

“Tobacco production companies promote the smoking and employ their marketing experts in order to ensure the continuous increasing incomes. So, the law will face this attitude that actually risks the public and private health,” he added.

Dr Fikry hoped the new law will help reduce the rate of smokers in the country as well as lessening passive smoking effects.

“The anti-tobacco team at the MoH would pursue its activities to educate members of the public about health risks of smoking and the new law and its provisions,” he said.

Dr Wedad Al Maidoor, Head of the National Tobacco Control Committee at the MoH and Director of PHC in Dubai Medical District, said that the rate of smoking among adults in the UAE is 24 per cent as per the health survey conducted in 2003, and it’s the major contributor to deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases in the country. The lung cancer deaths comprise 14 per cent of deaths caused by cancer.

“The tobacco consumption rate in the Gulf region has become an economic, social and health burden for more than 50 years due to the rapid and continuous phenomenon of smoking cigars and Shisha,” she added.

Second phase of anti-diabetes campaign launched

BY PMA RASHEED

20 May 2010, The Gulf Today

The National Diabetes Prevention Committee under the UAE Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched on Wednesday the second phase of the anti-diabetes campaign with various activities involving shopping malls, organisations and commercial establishments across the seven Emirates in the country.

The second phase of the MoH’s anti-diabetes drive includes conducting free blood sugar tests to the general public, in addition to other education sessions as well as distribution of health education materials, according to a senior MoH member.

Dr Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies at the MoH and Chairman of National Diabetes Prevention Committee, said that the drive aims at enhancing the prevention of diabetes, and its contractions as well as the introduction to the national campaign that will end on Nov 14.

“The campaign will continue throughout the forthcoming months in a number of shopping malls, public and private departments all over the UAE,” he added. “Since the launch of the campaign coinciding with the World Diabetes Day to fight diabetes our activities witnessed very positive response from a number of health organisations and this encouraged us to make greater efforts in increasing our diabetes plans and strategies,” he noted.

According to Dr Fikri, the campaign does not depend on early detection programmes only.

“It includes lectures and seminars to be conducted at the premises of participating companies, organistions and public places. The campaign also aims to ratify and record updated information about the situation diabetes in the UAE,” he said.

The comprehensive data could be used in hospitals, healthcare centres and clinics across the UAE, said Dr Fikri.

Health ministry conducts asthma survey

The survey will be the first epidemiological study conducted in the UAE about the symptoms of asthma infections and its rates in the country. It is to be carried out in three phases.

BY PMA RASHEED

16 May 2010, The Gulf Today

IN order to prepare a curative instructional manual for the primary healthcare centres of the UAE, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has started to conduct a nationwide survey to identify epidemiological factors causing asthma among the UAE children.

The survey will be the first epidemiological study conducted in the UAE about the symptoms of asthma infections and its rates in the country. It targets children in the age groups of six to seven years, and 13 to 14 years old, and is to be carried out in three phases. The first phase, which begins this month, will run until November, according to a senior MoH official.

An earlier survey had revealed that the UAE has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, with 13 per cent diagnosed rates, and that 68 per cent of the asthmatics suffer from day-time symptoms and 59 per cent experience a limitation of activity due to asthma.

Dr Mahmood Fikri, executive director for health policies at the MoH, said that the ministry will prepare instructional manuals for asthma care in the primary health sector in line with the survey to identify the risk factors contributing to the increase of asthmatic patients in the country.

"A medical database will be developed based on collective guidelines to prepare significant conclusions about the causes of the disease and its rates in the UAE," he added.

"The manual will take shape as a significant tool to ensure global standards safety and care for the asthmatic patients and help them to be active partners in the society," pointed out Dr Fikri.

According to him, the manual will encourage doctors and physicians to raise the society's awareness on the effects of asthma. A workshop about the ways of implementing the instructional manuals in public and private healthcare authorities will also be organised.

"The second phase of the survey will run from November to December. The survey questionnaire will be distributed both in Arabic and English languages in order to assist the physicians in understanding and applying unified curative guidelines," he said.

"Meanwhile, the third phase of the survey assesses the successful results of the curative instructional manuals and their role in improving diagnosis and treatment," said Dr Fikri.

He added that a group of specialists will evaluate the results to prepare the asthma curative instructional manual. A comprehensive comparison of the data, and findings of the survey as well as registered infection rates will be announced at the end of the survey.

The MoH has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with pharmaceutical manufacturer, Astrazeneca, to carry out the survey in all the seven emirates.

Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Saif Kalban, CEO of the primary health care sector at the DHA, had earlier said that the impact of asthma, especially on young children, drastically affects their quality of life as many of them cannot even attend school due to chronic asthma.

"Lack of awareness about the condition in the UAE is the key factor in increasing the number of asthmatic patients. Polluted air, persistent dust and other environmental factors dwarf effective and sufficient management of the disease in the country," he pointed out.

"Meanwhile, the bronchiole asthma is mainly caused by hereditary factor. The habit of eating junk food is also a reason for the current levels of increase in asthma," added Dr Kalban.

According to him, asthma can be managed properly and will not affect the patient's quality of life to a large extent, if diagnosed early.

According to the earlier survey, about 56 per cent of asthmatics in the UAE have been reported to be using rescue medication for the disease and 52 per cent reported emergency visits in the UAE.

Across the world, an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma, with 250,000 deaths attributed to the disease every year.

Out of breath, out of school

The impact of asthma, especially on young children, drastically affects their quality of life as many of them cannot even attend school due to chronic asthma, says DHA.

BY PMA RASHEED

5 May 2010, The Gulf Today

Around 53 per cent of student absenteeism in the UAE and other Gulf countries has been attributed to asthma, reveals a survey.

The survey carried out by the Asthma Insights and Reality in the Gulf and the Near East (AIRGNE), also found out that another 77 per cent of the asthmatics in the student community had unscheduled emergency visits to hospitals.

"The UAE has one of the highest rates of asthma with a 13 per cent diagnosed rate with 68 per cent of respondents to the AIRGNE study in the UAE reporting day-time symptoms of asthma and 59 per cent a limitation of activity due to asthma," it read.

According to the survey, about 56 per cent of asthmatics in the UAE have been reported using rescue medication for the disease and 52 per cent reported emergency visits in the UAE.

Across the world, an estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma, with 250,000 deaths attributed to the disease every year.

The statistics has been released at a campaign organised by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) at Dubai Mall on Tuesday to observe the World Asthma Day 2010.

The campaign, held in collaboration with respiratory medicines manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), aimed at raising awareness of the respiratory issues facing patients in terms of effective asthma management.

"The DHA is working at various levels to develop further preventive management strategies to reduce the negative impact that asthma has on a patient's day-to-day life," said a senior DHA member.

Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Saif Kalban, CEO of the Primary Health Care Sector at the DHA said that the impact of asthma, especially on young children, drastically affects their quality of life as many of them cannot even attend school due to chronic asthma.

"Lack of awareness about the condition in the UAE is the key factor in increasing the number of asthmatic patients. Polluted air, persistent dust and other environmental factors dwarfs effective and sufficient management of the disease in the country," he pointed out.

"Meanwhile, the bronchiole asthma is mainly caused by a hereditary factor. The habit of eating junk food is also a reason for the current levels of increase in asthma," added Dr Kalban.

According to him, asthma can be managed properly and will not affect the patient's quality of life to a large extent, if diagnosed early.

Dr Khalil Qayed, Director of Medical Education at the DHA, said a number of initiatives at various levels have been undertaken by the DHA to help asthmatic patients and their families better manage the condition.

"The DHA has already begun the process of recruiting respiratory nurse specialists to boost the fight against asthma in the Emirate and reduce the number of hospitalisation and emergency asthma cases. The country's first respiratory nurse specialist has joined with the DHA in March, to support adult asthma patients to improve the way they manage the disease," he added.

The health authority introduced a comprehensive respiratory education project to facilitate fighting the prevalence of asthmatic diseases among the residents.

Also, the DHA signed an asthma management partnership contract with the GSK, aimed to establish a centre for excellence in respiratory care in the country. The Dubai Respiratory Centre of Excellence trains hundreds of respiratory nurse specialists, so that the asthma patients in the Emirate and across the UAE will be able to get the world's highest standards of respiratory care.

According to Ghandi Gharaibeh, Marketing Director for GSK Gulf and Near East, it's all about helping patients to better manage their asthma to avoid hospitalisation and emergency.

"Asthma patients and parents of asthmatic children should seek advice from the DHA's newly appointed respiratory nurse specialists to ensure they avert critical incidents," he added.

Dr Bassam Mahboub, Head of Pulmonology Department at the DHA, opined that proper monitoring of the asthma would lessen its effect on life dramatically.

"Hopefully in time, we will be able to prevent hospitalisation due to asthma simply by supporting effective asthma management," he added.

"Over the past few days we have had hundreds of people take the lung age test to find out about the condition of their lungs," said Jacqueline Brereton, a respiratory nurse specialist who has been running a training programme to educate nurses and doctors.

"Sadly many of them have tested at least 10-years older than their real age, particularly amongst the younger men. However, many of the UAE nationals have taken an interest in the issue, the response has been very positive," she added.

Observing the World Asthma Day, the DHA health centres located in Al Mankhool, Al Mamzar, Al Tawar and Al Khawaneej areas have offered asthma checks and presentations of inhaler techniques and other factors affecting asthma for patients and parents of children with asthma as a form of further essential education.

The Dubai Respiratory Centre of Excellence trains respiratory nurse specialists to enable asthma patients to get world standard respiratory care.