Congress Ambassador hopes successor will continue spreading awareness on health needs of Arab children

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Children's Health Congress (ACHC) was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein in 2006 in an effort to spread public awareness on some major health concerns amongst children in the UAE and Arab World.

Emarati national, Rashid Saeed,, was elected as the 2006 ACHC Ambassador, representing children with special needs and disabilities. As the Congress prepares to launch its second year, Rashid will be joined this year by a new Ambassador representing children with diabetes.

"Rashid is an aspiring example of how personal achievement can conquer disability. His election as Ambassador was a testimony to his success and I trust that the Arab Children Health Congress will continue to shed light on the many hidden success stories of children with health challenges" commented Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

The Gulf region, a population of approximately 33 million, has more than 3.5 million Diabetes sufferers. Children as young as ten years are being diagnosed with diabetes. Therefore, the Arab Children Health Congress , which will be held on March 5-8, 2007, will center primarily on Diabetes among Children and will discuss ways to combat this illness by spreading awareness through allowing children to assume leadership roles in debating their health issues under its motto "Hear Me" and carrying the theme "Children with Diabetes ... A Proactive Approach".

Commenting on his successor's role as the ACHC 2007 Ambassador, Rashid said, "The only advice that I would give the new ambassador is to believe in him or herself. It can be intimidating being in front of all those people who are here to listen to what you are saying, but you need to believe in your vision and your opportunity to help the children of the future."