SKMC celebrates the World Heart Day

SKMC strongly supports health promotion and awareness events and participates in many international health awareness campaigns throughout the year.

SKMC plays an active role in the community by promoting health awareness about diseases and disease prevention such as cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of death in UAE and comprise 29.2% of total global deaths.

The major cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (strokes), hypertension, heart failure and rheumatic heart disease.

World Heart Day is aimed at increasing public awareness and promoting preventive measures to reduce the worldwide incidence of heart disease and stroke.

Each year, it is focused on a specific theme and involves a wide range of activities including health checks, walks, runs, jump rope, fitness sessions, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, sports tournaments and much more.

It is globally covered by the media and reaches the public in more than 100 countries on all continents.

Commenting on the World Heart Day, Dr. Scott Strong, Acting CEO of SKMC, stated that "Our objective for annually participating in the World Heart Day is to promote the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular health checks to "know your risk" related to cardiovascular disease and other associated diseases. We want to encourage the public to exercise often and eat healthier as well as realize the many benefits of living a healthy lifestyle".

Dr. Strong thanked SKMC staff for organizing the event activities and the sponsors for their cooperation and support. "SKMC is committed to promoting health awareness among the public. We are also celebrating Emergency Nurses Day on the 17 October and observing the entire month of October as Breast Cancer Month", Dr. Strong said.

Additionally, Dr. Norbert Augustin, MD., Chair, SKMC Department of Cardiac Sciences stated that "SKMC Cardiac Sciences Division is willing to continuously participate in Heart-related campaigns, symposiums and activities. It is our mission with the cooperation of our Health Promotion Department to increase the awareness of the public about the Heart in addition to providing advanced cardiac services that meets internationally recognized standards of excellence to the residents of the UAE".

He added "The establishment of the Cardiac Sciences Department at SKMC for Adults and Pediatrics has reduced the medical requirement for overseas travel, as it provides comparable cardiac services to all UAE residents, and provides family members an opportunity to participate in the wellness process before, during, and after surgery. Health statistics show that the family is a vital part of the healing process and SKMC is happy to provide this service within the community. SKMC is committed continuous improvement of care to ultimately improve the health of the whole UAE population".

On the other hand, Dr Wael Al Mahameed, Head of Cardiology Department commented on the upcoming planned cardiovascular symposium. He said "SKMC Cardiac Sciences Division is willing to continuously organize Cardiovascular-related conferences, symposiums and activities.

Therefore, and on the occasion of the World Heart Day, we are planning for a cardiovascular symposium on Friday, 10th of October 2008.

The symposium will highlight the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

It is our department mission to encourage and promote scientific and medical education programs in addition to providing advanced cardiac services at SKMC that meets internationally recognized standards of excellence to the residents of the UAE."