PETA protest at Dubai Zoo ends with whimper

By PMA RASHEED 

The Gulf Today, 16 July 2010 

In what they claimed was a message against cruelty to animals, a small group of activists staged a brief demonstration in front of Dubai Zoo on Thursday under a merciless sun at 1pm.

Clad in the suits of prison inmates and wearing chimpanzee masks, Jason Baker and Ashley Fruno silently marched to the front gate taking a round of the zoo’s wall. The placards they held read, “Zoos: cruel animal prisons,” in both Arabic and English.

The activists of PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia Pacific — flew into Dubai to spread the message on the anguish of animals inhabited in zoos by showcasing a demonstration at the entrance of the Dubai Zoo.

Police officials swiftly stopped the demonstration as the activists and their two local supporters, Sangeetha and Sandhya, congregated “without permission from the police or the civic body.” The activists were asked to move away immediately from the vicinity of the zoo.

American Baker and Canadian Fruno landed in Dubai from Hong Kong on Wednesday with the mission of conducting the protest for animal rights, and will leave the city on Friday.

Col. Abdulla Ali Abdulla Al Ghithi, Deputy Director of Protective Department and Security of Dubai Police, said, “The programme has been organised illegally. These kinds of private congregations in the name of activism for animal rights are not allowed against a government run-organisation, according to the country’s laws and rules pertaining to public security.”

“No resident or visitor to the country is allowed to create hindrances to the public and their safe movements and activities in a public place,” he pointed out.

“The Dubai Zoo is a destination for the residents for entertainment and recreation. It’s operated by Dubai Municipality (DM), which ensures environmental and health safety of global standards to the animals kept in the premise,” added Al Ghithi.

Meanwhile, Fruno told The Gulf Today that the Peta wanted to conduct a peaceful demonstration aimed at raising awareness on animal rights and cruelty against them at zoos, but permission was not granted when we approached the authorities concerned.

“We staged a small demonstration in front of the zoo, even though the Peta has a total of 3,000 supporters across the UAE,” she claimed.

According to her, they wore the monkey mask to highlight the plight of Jojo, the lonely chimpanzee at Dubai Zoo, which has frequently come under fire for housing animals in decrepit and barren enclosures. The Peta philosophy is that animals in zoos are subjected to lifetimes of boredom, misery and loneliness.

“Confined or isolated from others of their own kind, the animals often exhibit signs of psychological distress like rocking, swaying or pacing in circles,” remarked Peta Director Jason Baker.

According to him, zoo visitors learn nothing about wildlife from the bored and unhappy animals that exhibit stereotype behaviour.

“Some animals roam many kilometres a day — activity that is essential to their wellbeing — but the entire Dubai Zoo measures only 0.02 square kilometres,” he said.

“The best way to support the conservation of wild animals is to protest their native habitats, not put them behind bars. Being trapped in a cage or other barren enclosure tantamounts to a life sentence for animals — with no chance for parole,” noted Baker.

The Dubai Municipality (DM) officials were unavailable for comment on the Peta protest on Thursday.

(Image Credit: Nisham A. Manaf)

Dubai doctor sacked for causing child's death

By PMA RASHEED
The Gulf Today, 16 July 2010 


The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has removed a female Arab doctor working at the government-run Al Wasl hospital.

The action was taken against the doctor known as SSM, after she had been proved to responsible for causing the death of an 11-year-old UAE national girl MAA.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the DHA, said that the deceased girl was admitted to Al Wasl hospital in last August, as she was suffering from vomiting and fever. The girl was already suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

“The doctors at the accidents section testified that it was an emergency case, yet she had not been provided with the necessary medical care. As a result the patient’s condition began to deteriorate and she finally died one day after being admitted to the hospital,” he added.

Al Murooshid pointed out that the DHA started investigating the case immediately on receiving a complaint from the deceased’s family.

“This decision does not forfeit the right of the family members of the deceased child from filing a separate case in the court and demanding for compensation,” he said.

“The DHA has a transparent policy to deal with all complaints related to medical negligence or malpractice,” added Al Murooshid.

According to him, the decision to remove the Arab female doctor was taken after a through investigation by two committees, one of which was formed by the DHA. The medical file of the victim was reviewed and the committees also noted down testimonials of the medical treating staff.

“Accordingly, they concluded that the death resulted from negligence of SSM. Upon the findings of the investigations, the DHA withdrew the medical licence of SSM and reported her to be enrolled on the list of doctors banned to practice medicine in the UAE. The authority terminated her contract as well,” he elaborated.

Sources at the DHA revealed that a total of 51 complaints and cases of medical negligence were registered at the health regulation department in 2009 against health service providers in the private sector in Dubai.

“Out of these 51 cases, eight are still under investigation, while eight cases have been closed for reasons such as request of the complainant. The DHA has investigated 35 cases, out of which 14 were found to be incidents of medical negligence, one case was medical malpractice, seven were cases of negligence and malpractice, and 13 were found to be neither negligence, nor malpractice,” disclosed the source.

It added, “The DHA received 18 complaints against public hospitals in 2009, of which one case is still under investigation, three complaints were closed as the complainant did not appear before the committee.”

“Of the remaining 14 cases investigated by the DHA, it was found that there was no negligence or malpractice in six cases, one case was found to be a malpractice case and negligence and malpractice in three cases and the remaining four cases were found to be negligence cases,” elaborated the DHA official.

The health authority has urged the public to contact the Clinical Governance Office of the DHA or alternatively lodge a complaint on toll-free 800 342 or log on to the website www.dha.gov.ae. 

Errant vet clinics face ministry’s heat

BY PMA RASHEED 

The Gulf Today, 14 July 2010 

The Federal Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has imposed punitive actions against several veterinary clinics in different parts of the country for violating regulations on public health and technical standards.

The MoEW inspectors have conducted several periodic and surprise visits to a number of veterinary facilities operating in the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

The large quantities of expired drugs stored for sale at some veterinary warehouses have also been seized and confiscated by the inspectors, revealed the environment ministry sources.

“The ministry has issued necessary penal actions against the offenders. Some of them faced temporary closure of the facilities and others faced permanent closure of their service,” said the ministry.

“The penalties for violations included a warning, suspension from practice for a period not exceeding one year, and withdrawal of the licence and removal of the violators’ names from the list of registered veterinarians and technical experts and vet facilities,” read a statement issued by the MoEW.

“Some law-breakers were warned and some facilities faced closure of the veterinary facility for two months. If they repeat the violation, their licence will be shut down and licences will be withdrawn. Serious irregularities will invite actions including hefty fines or imprisonment,” it added.

According to the statement, the offending clinics were providing services contrary to the clauses specified in their licences. Many of them were found breaching the federal requirements on safeguarding public health measures, it added.

“Some vet facilities and clinics lacked professional conduct as they employed unlicensed veterinarians and non-specialists to work in their laboratories,” it pointed out.

According to an official at the environment ministry, those who practice veterinary medicine in clinics, pharmacies and laboratories, and warehouses must obtain a licence from the MoEW. The Ministerial Decrees 618 and 616 for the year 2009 have specified the country’s veterinary laws, regulations and conditions for establishing such facilities as well as practicing the service.

“The ministry will spare no effort in implementing the legislation to effectively safeguard the development and sustainability of livestock in the country,” he said.

The ministry has also called upon the veterinarians and technical employees of vet facilities to ensure their commitment to Law No.10/2002 and the law No.16/ 2007 on private vet medicine practice.

“The number of veterinary clinics registered with the environment ministry from across the country has been estimated at 92 facilities that carry out therapeutic and diagnostic services to animals,” said the MoEW statement.

“Hundreds of veterinary pharmacies, drug warehouses and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies also have registered with the MoEW,” it added.

20% of food imports at Dubai port dumped

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 12 July 2010 

Authorities have rejected 20 per cent of the total 99,019 foodstuff shipments that arrived at the port of Dubai during the past six months.

The food control department of Dubai Municipality (DM) has dumped large quantities of spoilt food items ranging from dairy products, frozen meats, marine products, chocolate, biscuits, candies, coffee products and food additives, according to a senior civic official.

Iman Ali Al Bastaki, Head of the Food Trade Unit at the DM, said that 93,879 food shipments were released after procedures of public health safety monitoring, while 7,840 shipments were rejected due to non-compliance with the municipal condition on food safety.

“Among the rejected shipments of foods, 386 were meant for re-export purpose. Food items of at least 647 shipments have been destroyed as the items were spoilt and damaged,” she added.

“The food shipments were rejected, as the importers didn’t adhere to the regulations on public health safety, and some others violated food labeling laws, while others imported the foods without a food trade license,” pointed out Al Bastaki.

“The DM has completed registration of more than 160 food items through an integrated online system for control of food imports. No unregistered food items are allowed to sell in the Emirate. The Municipality has started applying the standard new law on food labeling,” she noted.

According to her, the food consignments are not accepted if unlicensed companies practise food trading activities by importing food items from other countries. The DM also rejects shipments that violate the food label regulations approved by the competent authorities or the rules of import.

“Foodstuff importing companies should have facilities like storerooms that comply with the civic bodies rules and regulations regarding the safety of public health. The food control body at DM plays a significant role in controlling the entire foodstuffs imported in the emirate all around the year,” she elaborated. 

Bastaki said, “The foodstuff imported for selling in the emirate should not contain harmful colours which are banned due to their adverse effects on human health. All the food items are made available to consumers after undergoing international standard quality control specifications. Unchecked items are not traded in the country.”

She pointed out, “The municipality registers all types of imported food items using an advanced global electronic system used all over the world. The system ensures safety of public health as stringent measures have been applied for permission of sales of the imported food items inside the UAE. Similar procedures are applied on food items produced locally.”

“Regulations as per the latest food quality verification standards have been applied by the DM. Clauses regarding the food label and expiry date information have to be included as per the new law approved by the Gulf Standards Authority, as well as the laws outlined by the authorities concerned in the UAE,” she said.

Poor nutritional standards in Dubai’s school canteens

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 9 July 2010

Canteens of Dubai’s 55 per cent of schools do not adhere to municipal guidelines on nutritional standards, food safety and hygiene, according to a study.

The school canteen health survey carried out by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) recently revealed that 68 per cent of the city’s schools provide readymade food to students.

The cross-sectional survey carried out between April and June this year, covered a population of 150,000 students from the emirate’s 216 schools in both public and private sectors.

According to the survey, only 22 per cent of the schools prepare food in school cafeterias, while 10 per cent of schools do not provide any food services for students.

“About 77 per cent of the schools provide sandwiches on a daily basis, and 67 per cent provide bread and cereals.  Fifty-four per cent of the schools provide fresh fruit salads; however, it is on the menu only three times a week. Thirty per cent of the schools provide hotdogs and burgers, while 51 per cent of them provide dairy products and 21 per cent provide fresh milk on daily,” detailed a DHA statement.

“Sixty-three per cent of the schools provide processed fruit juices and seven per cent provide soft drinks daily, and one per cent of the schools daily provide energy drinks - a practice that never should be happening at school canteens,” it said. “And 20 per cent of schools have vending machines in their premises; of these, 12 per cent of the vending machines are stocked with soft drinks.”

“About 58 per cent of schools have two break timings and the average total break time amounts to approximately 30 minutes. About 61 per cent of schools have a canteen committee which is active and of these schools only 31 per cent have student representatives in this committee.”

In light of the survey, the DHA plans to develop unified policies and comprehensive guidelines to ensure the supply of healthy and nutritious meals at the canteens of schools across the emirate.

In terms of important recommendations, the public health and safety committee of the DHA has highlighted the need to develop a holistic school approach to nutrition.

“The proposals, based on the information provided in the survey, will be circulated to the school communities and other stakeholders for feedback,” according to health officials.

Dr Ali Al Marzooqi, Director of the Public Health Safety Sector in the Health Policy and Strategy Department of the DHA, said, “The unified dietary guidelines or handbook, consisting of relevant nutritional facts and recommended food intake for pupils, should be developed for the schools.”

“The guidelines include information on food, nutrition and healthy eating habits as well as takes into account values, attitudes and belief about food and eating. Also, potential sources of healthy food providers should be identified,” he added.

“Another significant recommendation is to involve health professionals like doctors and nurses of school clinics, to promote healthy eating habits among the students,” he pointed out.

According to Al Marzooqi, there is an urgent need to engage school principals, administrators and teachers and ensure they commit to improving nutrition in school canteens.

“Students and their parents should emerge as primary decision-makers in selection of food items, becoming part of canteen committees in the schools,” he added.

“Message on health and physical activities should be shared with them through articles in the school newsletter, announcements at school assemblies and community activities.”

“The DHA wants to build awareness and knowledge in schools and collect and disseminate current and reputable information about nutrition and health by roping in nutritional experts to be guest speakers in schools, through videos and other activities and educating teachers in the field of nutrition,” he noted.

Al Marzooki said that the survey provided the DHA with vital information and the baseline data on the food patterns of the schools, accordingly to develop policies for a better food provision services for the students.

“Nutrition across schools in Dubai is a crucial issue to ensure students follow a healthy eating pattern and do not get hooked on to fast foods which provide empty calories and are a leading cause of child obesity globally,” he added.

Dr Fathia Hatem, head of the health promotion section in the public health and safety department at the DHA, said, “Mostly public schools were found to have canteen committees and this is probably due to the implementation of the school health project across public schools.”

“About 62 per cent of the schools have their own canteen policy. The public schools mainly have only one slot for break timings,” she added.

“About 60 per cent of the school administrators urged the DHA to provide further assistance by health professionals, while 47 per cent asked for nutritional educational support of teachers and 43 per cent asked for parents’ support,” pointed out Dr Hatem.

“Of the 216 schools in Dubai, 82 are public schools and 134 are private schools, and the response rate was found to be 95 per cent for private schools and 78 per cent for public schools,” revealed the DHA survey.

It said, “Of the schools surveyed, it was found that 54 per cent of the students across the 216 schools are Emiratis, 24 per cent are Asians and 9 per cent are Arabs and Westerners.”

Languages door to culture

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 8 July 2010

LANGUAGES are doors to culture. And the two are inexorably intertwined. A language becomes effectively comprehensible only through lessons on the culture of a particular language and its users.

The language, learnt by children, gives them not only a tool to communicate, but a culture to enjoy throughout life, said Vandana Marwaha, Principal, Delhi Private School (DPS), Sharjah. The DPS marked the 10th edition of the Language Day on Wednesday.

"We inspire our students to grab values of tradition through lessons of languages and the concept is converted into the Language Day celebration," she remarked.

The celebration is highly creative as it highlights the wide reach of languages to different cultures.

The principal said, "Our institution in Sharjah has always been in the forefront of promoting cultures among our students through languages."

Sahar Mohammed El Shenawi, Coordinator of French Department, said, "The annual day celebrations focus on three languages - Arabic, French and Hindi - organised for the students of the middle school with a fantastic range of competitions, festivities and exhibitions."

"The celebration elevated the language studies to a totally different level of in-depth lessons on the life of societies, traditions, culinary cultures, art, literature and music," Sahar added.

"The French students took part in an inter-house poetry recitation competition. Grade-6 students performed a fancy dress show. Monuments, charts, on France were put on display," said Uma Krishna, Head, French Department.

"There was a mouth-watering mango festival. The participants prepared popular French items," she added.

Huda Aziz Soghayroon, Head, Arabic Department, said, "Our girls exhibited Egyptian monuments like pyramids and mummies and also prepared Egyptian food."

"Emirati dance genre "Al Yolah" was also performed by 25 boys of the department," added Amani Farooq, coordinator of the department.

Kamna Katoch, Head, Hindi department, said, "Hindi students took part in an elocution competition and in a fashion show by 25 candidates depicting costumes from all Indian states."

"Experts from other schools have been invited as judges for the contests, and the winners have been presented with merit certificates," she added.

"With the success of the programme, we are planning to organise a UAE inter-school event from next year," said the principal.
(Image Credit: Nisham A. Manaf)

Massive fire guts Sharjah residential building

BY PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 7 July 2010

A huge amount of smoke engulfed the Sharjah sky on Tuesday evening after a massive fire broke out at a residential building located at Al Buteena area on Al Arooba street in Rolla.

Sharjah Police was notified about the inferno in the 15-storey Kuwaiti Tower at around 6.05pm. The fire initially started on the first and second floors and completely gutted them before spreading to all the higher floors of the building.

Col. Wahid Al Serkal, Director of Sharjah Civil Defence, said that the main cause of the fire is not known yet, but it could have resulted from a gas cylinder explosion that triggered other gas cylinder explosions in the building.

“The top floors of the building were completely gutted. The fire did not spread to the mezzanine and ground floors,” he noted. “Debris was spreading all over the air and fire sparks were being thrown into the air from the burning building.”

“Six people residing at the building, who suffered from inhalation problems after the fire broke out, were admitted to the hospital,” he added.

“The outer facade of the building is made of fiber glass, which caused the fire to spread rapidly.”

According to the fire dousing team members, the fire spread quickly as the exterior of the building was paneled with fibre glass. The residential building was severely damaged in a major fire. Additionally, the building is surrounded by open areas and winds intensified the fire quickly.

Thousands of people gathered in the vicinity. Police cordoned off the area, and blocked most of the roads in the locale.

Col. Mohamed Eid Al Mazloum, Director of the Sharjah Police Operations Department, said that as soon as they were notified about the accident, they cordoned off the area.

“We worked hard to ensure the fire does not spread to neighbouring areas full of other residential buildings,” he noted. “Fire brigades from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain contributed in controlling the blaze and road users were asked to use alternative routes.”

Hydraulic machines and water pumps were used to control the blaze that continued till night.

“We have a mobile operation car connected to the operations room that helped us to control all the operations on the roads. Helicopters were also used to supply additional water to control the flames,” he added.

“Twenty-five fire engines and equipment were used to control the fire that continuted till later hours and explosions were rapidly heard.

The residents were evacuated from the building using the staircase and we have transferred a man and a woman to Al Kuwait hospital as they fell unconscious and suffered from breathing problems.”

Shabeeba, a resident living on the ninth floor of the building, said that her family heard the noise of the smoke detector at around 5 o clock when they were sleeping.

Immediately they vacated their house and ran out the building, taking the stairs.

In the beginning, they were still not aware of whether the fire was in their building or in the next one, as the smoke had come in from the front side of the building. She said that she moved to her cousin’s house as they were not able to go back home.

Sumesh KS, who lives in the neighbouring area, said that he saw four people being brought down by a crane. He said that the fire started at 4.30pm and that he saw two floors of the building catching fire initially.

According to officials, an injured person was taken down immediately after the fire by the police and civil defence from the balcony of the ninth floor. At 7 pm, another lady was taken down from her balcony by a crane in a fatigued condition after she had been exposed to the smoke.

According to another eyewitness, Aisha, “massive amounts of smoke rose to the sky and looked like a terrorist attack incident.”

The building has 72 flats in all, which were mainly inhabited by South Indians. The building was old, which is another speculated reason for the fire.

(With more inputs by Lina Abdul Rahman, Image Credit: Nisham A. Manaf)