RAK Crown Prince inaugurates programme held as part of World Health Day celebrations

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Health and Ras Al Khaimah Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA).

Experts in the field of health and environment said there was increasing scientific evidence to prove that climate change was already impacting human health with wide- ranging consequences including health risks due to extreme weather conditions, possible adverse impact due to disruptions in global food production and changing patterns of vector- borne diseases.

Speaking at the function, Dr. Ali bin Shaker, Undersecretary, UAE Ministry of Health, said that the theme selected by World Health Organisation (WHO) for this year's World Health Day celebrations provided a timely platform to discuss the threats posed by climate change to global public health security.

"The impact of climate change on the health sector has assumed critical importance due to its global impact and the direct and indirect effects it has on public health. The direct impact of climate change is visible in the spread of various diseases while it indirectly affects health security by impacting food production and water availability," Ali bin Shaker added.

He said that severe heat strokes have been found to be one of the reasons for increased morbidity and mortality in people with cardiac and hypertension problems. "There are also concerns that certain viral and bacterial infections could be distributed in non- typical geographical settings due to climate change, as in the case of malaria," he added.

He noted that UAE has made substantial efforts in protecting and safeguarding environment over the years, initiated by late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and followed by President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Speaking at the function, Dr. Saif M. Al Ghais, Executive Director of EPDA and Faculty member of UAE University, said that climate change will have an adverse impact on food production, which could create health and nutritional problems in densely populated countries, making their population more vulnerable to diseases.

"It is a fact that mosquito and parasite-borne diseases have shown a marked increase. These diseases which were mainly tropical in nature have now spread to high- latitude countries because of change in global weather patterns," he said. Dr. Saif also called for more studies to understand the impact of climate change on the health sector of UAE.

Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Financial Department and RAK Free Trade Zone, Abdullah Al Shahin, Director of RAK Medical District, and a number of dignitaries attended the opening session.