‘Disease hasn’t spoilt my life’

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 27 May 2011

DUBAI: The future of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients has become more promising, as right attitude and proper medication can help in leading an active and happy life, said MS sufferers and specialists in the country.

Patient networking forums and care groups have boosted support for patients with the disease in the Emirates by educating them and helping them avail best treatment options.
In celebration of World MS Day, two support groups in Dubai organised such awareness initiatives that were focused on enhancing possibilities for MS patients.
MS is one of the world’s most common and complex diseases, which disables nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
The auto-immune disease affects the central nervous system by impairing myelin, the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers. When the myelin gets damaged, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord fail to communicate with each other, resulting in derailing the connection between the brain’s messaging system and other parts of the body.
On Thursday, more than 30 MS sufferers congregated, along with friends and family members, at Wafi City Mall in Dubai to observe World MS Day. The programme was organised by the UAE MS Platform, bringing together MS sufferers in the country.
(During the event), the UAE MS Platform launched an interactive online forum, titled UniteMS.net, aimed at encouraging MS patients to register with this website and share their difficulties to seek instructions to conquer the complications. The UniteMS.net forum will help UAE patients get connected with the global platform of MS patients, said the organisers.
Meanwhile, earlier in the week, ‘Taking life to new heights’ was the theme raised by the UAE MS Support Group, which organised an indoor skydiving programme for its five members at iFly in Mirdif City Centre.

The patients took part in the skydiving experience, flying high in the art wind tunnel, to show that chronic disease sufferers can still live life to the fullest if they adopt a positive attitude and their disease is controlled with the correct medications.
MS affects patients’ behaviour from walking and talking to eating and even feeling pain and other sensations. Patients suffer from a range of difficulties including motor impairment, balance problems, visual, sensory and cognitive (memory) issues.
Dr DM Kayed, specialist neurologist at Open MRI for Spine Surgery Centre in Dubai, explained that MS sufferers can experience a variety of symptoms as the condition develops.
“Such patients can experience attacks that may be present with blurred vision, sensory disturbance affecting the face body or limbs, lack of coordination and imbalance, weakness as well as memory and concentration difficulties,” he added.
“Injection therapy for MS reduces the frequency of attacks and thus may slow disease progression and help control symptoms. New oral treatments have recently become available; however, clinical experience with these agents remains limited,” pointed out Dr Kayed.
UAE MS support group member Dr Budoor Al Shehhi, pointed out, that these patients, however, can continue to take life to new heights despite their illness.
“The patients’ celebration [at iFly] was about having the right attitude and the right treatment that will allow them better manage their condition gaining the capability to work, play, and even fly,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Morsi, area therapeutic manager at Merck Serono Middle East, organiser of the MS Platform meet at Wafi Mall, said the objectives of the forum is to identify the patients in the UAE in order to help them enjoy an active and normal life, despite suffering from the chronic disease.
Sultan Al Nuaimi, a MS sufferer and active member of UAE MS Platform, said, “The UniteMS.net is a social network on which MS patients across the world log in and interact with fellow patients, doctors, specialists, researchers and support groups.”
“The Middle East MS Platform was launched in the UAE last year to streamline care activities and research programs throughout the region. The forum, an affiliation of several independent MS organisations, key opinion leaders, healthcare groups and commercial corporations, will move us patients closer to a world free of MS,” he added.
Sultan, aged 23 years, has been suffering from MS symptoms like poor vision, tremors and fatigue for the past three years.
“MS patients can make their life shining and vibrant with proper medication and changes in lifestyle, along with indulging in entertainment and social activities. I have never felt that the disease is spoiling my life,” he elaborated confidently, discussing his survival saga.
Another member of the UAE MS Platform Sahar Rahma agreed, saying that the secrets of survival for her, too, are a positive approach towards life, proper course of medication and a healthy lifestyle.
“I gained more strength and confidence by communicating with other patients, and joined on the networking platform to share our worries as well as joyous moments. Since I started the medication, the difficulties of the MS in my body have significantly reduced,” she added.
Rami, member of the MS Support group who took part in the iFly experience, was diagnosed with MS last year at the age of 32; however, he has not let his illness prevent him from living a normal life, even continuing to travel across the region for work.  
“Initially when I was diagnosed I was very much in denial. I would tell myself that even though I was diagnosed with MS it would not affect my life at all and nothing would happen to me,” he added.

Global statistics show that MS affects approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. Around 25 to 50 people per 100,000 in Arabic populations and about 100 per 100,000 in Northern Europeans also suffer from the disease. MS affects women more than men, and often the symptoms appear between the ages of 20 and 40.

(Pix: Supplied) 

New by-laws for expat medical tests on anvil

BY PMA RASHEED

4 May 2011, The Gulf Today

Dubai: About 21 per cent of the total Asian job-seekers who underwent medical examinations before obtaining their UAE residence visa in 2009 had tuberculosis, the Ministry of Health (MoH) revealed on Tuesday.

This serious situation prompted the UAE authorities to think about implementing strong regulations in regard to the medical examination procedures for foreign workforce entering the country, says a senior health official.

Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies at the MoH, indicated that the ministry, in the process of implementing the recent decision of Ministerial Service Council, is currently preparing new by-laws for the residency medical examination of expatriates who should get their medical check-ups done in their countries of origin before arrival in the UAE.

“The new regulation on getting medical fitness certificate for all new expatriates aims to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and reduce the financial burden of managing expatriates affected by contagious diseases,” he added.

“The current mechanism for expatriate medical tests in the UAE has been efficient for more than 30 years to manage low rates of infectious diseases in the country, as the system insists on expats repeating the medical tests at the time of every residency visa renewal,” Dr Fikri noted.

“But it was noticed later that the rate of infectious diseases increased among certain categories of labourers coming from some countries where communicable diseases are endemic,” he pointed out.

“The national committee for expatriate medical tests reviewed the check-up mechanism and reported to the higher authorities to implement necessary precaution procedures to stop entry of foreign workers with contagious illnesses,” he said.

“However, all the expatriate workers will have to undergo a second round of medical tests in the UAE before obtaining their residency visa. This is to ensure that the expatriates don’t breach the law by producing fraudulent medical fitness certificates,” underscored Dr Fikri.

According to him, the committee is currently analysing the mechanism followed by the GCC Health Ministries Council to ensure the arrival of expatriate labourers without any infectious disease.

“The communicable diseases may disseminate locally, even if the affected persons stay in the country for a month before discovering their diseases while undergoing the necessary procedures. Also, some people with infectious diseases run away, further putting the public health at risk,” he elaborated.

“The MoH is currently coordinating with the health authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to carry out inspection visits at the visa-medical test facilities in Asian countries to ensure accuracy, safety and reliability of the examinations conducted at such centres,” said Dr Fikri.

“As cases of contagious diseases are mainly reported among the Asian workers, the UAE will also seek implementing scientific methods to transfer the tests results and other health information directly to the UAE health authorities from the workers’ home countries,” he concluded.

‘Lankan tourism booms in post-war era’

By PMA RASHEED 

3 May 2011, The Gulf Today

The Sri Lankan missions in the UAE aim at projecting the island as a tranquil holiday destination, in the post-LTTE era in the pearl of Indian Ocean.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai have set up their national pavilion at the region’s pioneer tourism show Arabian Travel Market 2011 being staged at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 2 to 5.

Sri Lanka has been participating at the past editions of the ATM, and this year the country pavilion has hosted 35 Sri Lankan companies.

Sarath Wijesinghe, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE, said at a press conference on the sidelines of the ATM on Monday, “After eradicating the ethnic terrorism from the soil and the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka in 2009, the island has become a preferred destination in Asia and attracts a huge number of visitors from Europe, America and the Middle Eastern countries.”

“The target set by the Sri Lankan tourism authorities for the year 2010 had already exceeded and we will receive more than 800,000 tourists the current year,” he added.

“The promotion titled “Visit Sri Lanka 2011” has set up facilities for a million travelers to explore the island’s unique nature, wildlife, scintillating beaches, historical wonders, the peaceful atmosphere and the pleasant hospitality culture of the people,” noted Wijesinghe.

According to MM Abdul Raheem, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, Sri Lankan tourism has been surging ahead with an increase in arrivals from several global markets, with a steady growth noted from the Middle East region.

“The first quarter of 2011 has shown an increase of 22.9 per cent in arrivals from the region. In 2010, we saw a 51.5 per cent increase from the ME with the highest arrivals from the UAE, indicating a 65 per cent growth. The second highest was from Saudi Arabia and Israel,” he pointed out.

Malraj B Kiriella, Acting Managing Director of Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau, said the target in the number of tourists for the year 2015 is 2.5 million and it’s 5 million by the year 2020.

“Infrastructure development is ongoing and with the re-introduction of the sea plane operations as well as the executive helicopter services, getting from the airport to a secluded hide-way is convenient and economical,” he elaborated.

“When it comes to the tourists from the Middle East region, the cuisine is very important aspect of serving this market. Halal certification is ensured for the products used to prepare the cuisine for our guests from the Middle East region,” he concluded.

‘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.

Benchmark to check vegetable price manipulation

By PMA RASHEED

28 April 2011, The Gulf Today

Solid parametres to create transparency and stability of prices in the local vegetable market have been implemented by the authorities in the capital.

The Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre (ADFSC) has set up a weekly price benchmark for locally-grown vegetables, effectively preventing price manipulation by some traders who artificially drive prices high or low.

A top official indicated that the initiative will satisfy customer requirements with competitive prices and quality presentation of the produce, while ensuring a competitive environment for locally-grown products to increase the income of farm owners and develop a sustainable agricultural production.

Christopher Hirst, CEO of the ADFSC, said the weekly list of prices for the purchase of local products from farmers will protect them from daily market fluctuations and the purchase prices will ensure them achieve the highest returns from their products.

The weekly price benchmark has been made available in the vegetables collection centres in the western region of Abu Dhabi.

“The benchmark will create a certain balance in prices through the enhancement of opportunities of marketing the local produce in a way which suits the interest of both the producer and the consumers alike,” he added.

The system sets the average price for the purchase of local produce which is incorporated into supply contracts with farmers, ensuring them a stable marketing opportunity free from the risk of daily price fluctuations.

“Since the beginning of the current farming season, the ADFSC has been implementing different measures to control vegetables prices in the favor of consumers,” he said.

“Customers have witnessed an evident decrease in the cost of vegetables during the last two months as a result of the abundance of local production of fresh vegetables, especially cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbages and eggplants,” according to him.

“Prices of some vegetables also have reduced at unprecedented rates due to the higher volumes of local produce and the increase in the number of marketing channels of the local produce. The ADFSC annual contract agreement enables the farmer to focus on cultivation and production since the marketing is secured for the entire 12-month period.”

“Feasibility studies made about the marketing of the local products suggested that the agricultural marketing centres play a pivotal role as a main marketing channel for farmers and livestock breeders, allowing them to compete in the local market,” elaborated Hirst.

As per the overall price indicator, the majority of vegetables registered a decrease ranging from 40 per cent to 60 per cent during the last two months in comparison with the same period last year.

The centre will launch a comprehensive marketing plan to promote local produce. Infrastructure will be developed to facilitate the delivery, transport, storage and distribution operations of the produce sourced from local farms.

“Provision of suitable marketing channels will guarantee the marketing and the arrival of these products to consumers,” Hirst concluded.

(Pix: Supplied)

Ban lifted on bird import from GCC countries

By PMA RASHEED

18 April 2011, The Gulf Today

Dubai: The Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) has lifted a ban on import of live birds and poultry products from the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab region.

The MoEW had imposed the ban earlier as part of its surveillance on bird flu pandemic that communicated through import of bird products.

Dr Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water, on Sunday issued an administrative decision in this regard based on recent recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The nod has been given to lift the ban on trading in all species of birds and their products from the GCC and the Arab countries, according to a spokesperson at the MoEW.

“The resolution specifies entry of any type of bird live or slaughtered, or their products by obtaining an import permit in advance from the environment ministry,” she said.

“The exporting country should be free of bird flu at least 12 months before the date of shipment, with certificates and documents from government agencies to prove that the products are free from virus or contamination,” she added.

“The shipment of live birds should carry veterinary health certificate from competent authorities of the exporting country to ensure that they are noted affected with any type of infectious disease. Also the importer should produce a certificate issued by an accredited laboratory within a period not exceeding 21 days of the export that the birds or products have been tested clinically,” elaborated the ministry official.

“In the case of breach of any condition, the imported consignment will be rejected and returned to the country of origin or will be confiscated and destroyed in the UAE in accordance with the quarantine procedures,” she concluded.

(Pic used for illustrative purpose)

Al Barsha health centre to serve 60,000 residents

By PMA RASHEED

14 April 2011, The Gulf Today

Dubai: Aimed at catering to 60,000 residents, the health centre in Al Barsha will be operational in mid 2012, announced Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The health centre, located in Al Barsha 2, has a built up area of 70,000 sq ft, and will be constructed with a total investment of Dhs50 million, said Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, director general of the DHA.

He was speaking after laying foundation stone for the state-of-the-art facility on Wednesday.

"The DHA is planning to launch more facilities to strengthen primary health care system in the emirate, and address the medical needs of the population at the highest global standards of quality. The authority has a total of 16 health clinics spread out across the emirate," he added.

According to Al Murooshid, the primary health clinics should provide frontline treatment to patients.

"The Al Barsha health centre will provide multidisciplinary services to its population. It will have two an emergency section, family clinics, specialist clinics, specialist centres, dental centres, maternity and child care, x-ray and laboratory, health screening services and a pharmacy," he elaborated.

The existing primary health care centres of the DHA are located in Al Mamzar, Abu Hail, Al Qusais Al Twar Al Rashidiya, Al Khawaneej, Nad Al Hammar Al Mazhar, Al Safa, Al Mankhool, Al Lisaily, Al Barsha, Umm Suqeim, Al Bada'a and Nad Al Sheba, in addition to the Airport Medical Health Centre.