2004
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Prison for unlicensed centre
A UAE national owner of an unlicensed training centre for nurses has been sentenced to one month in prison after students filed 34 complaints against him, reported Gulf News. They said he had conned them out of USD58,000 in fees and that they had studied for two semesters before discovering the truth.
UAE rural health neglected
The UAE's Federal National Council has called for better health services in remote rural areas of the country. Members debated a report prepared by a 14-strong committee which found that some hospitals could actually spread diseases and that medical centres often lacked staff.
EMC targets health sector
The regional healthcare market is to be a key focus in 2005 for the Middle East operations of information storage group EMC. Dubai Healthcare City, new hospitals being constructed in the Gulf, and the Arab Health Exhibition, are driving growth in the medical services sector, said Regional Manager Mohammed Amin.
Arab Water Council talks
Dubai's Techno Park is to host the first meeting of the Arab Water Council's fundamental committee from January 3 to 5. Chairman Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem told Gulf News the UAE has worked for many years on issues related to water desalination. About 50 experts in water issues from Arab countries are expected to attend.
Flu jabs a good idea
Anyone travelling outside the Middle East at this time of year should consider having a USD27 flu vaccination, said doctors. Immunity systems often can not cope with sudden climatic change and the flu virus is rampant in the northern hemisphere at this time of year.
Landmark move for natural health
UAE retailer Landmark has opened the first of a new chain of natural health concept at the Oasis Centre on the Sheikh Zayed Road. The 11,000 sqft Tranquility spa features a range treatments, a healthful cafe and a retail section for health related products.
USD5m new Bahrain health centre
Bahrain's Isa Town is to have a second health centre that will be fully operational by 2007, Health Minister Dr Nada Haffadh told reporters during a visit to Al Manar Home Parents Care Centre in Isa Town. The new USD5m health centre will be a gift by Bahraini businessman Nabeel Engineer.
Julphar faces legal action
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, known as Julphar, faces prosecution by the UAE Ministry of Health for refusing to lower medicine prices, reported Gulf News. Officials said that Julphar had ignored repeated warnings to comply with the ruling that profit margins on drugs should be cut from 70 to 55 per cent.
Saudi Arabia bans IVF
The Saudi government has banned in-vitro fertilisation outside of marriage or in surrogate cases, reported local papers. Doctors have also been prohibited from carrying out genetic intervention except for the treatment of genetic diseases.
Pharmacies battle price fixing
Pharmacies in the UAE claim that fixed prices for drugs may soon lead to shortages, according to Gulf News. Industry leaders said inflation and the falling dollar was squeezing profit margins for pharmacists and that the ministry was not adjusting prices sufficiently.
RCA sponsors heart surgery
The Red Crescent Authority in the UAE is offering sponsored treatment at the Welcare Hospital in Dubai for the disadvantaged, reported Gulf News. The charity is working with the Emirates World Heart Group which started a project called UAE Heart Patient Friends last month.
UAE fixes price of 79 drugs
The UAE Ministry of Health has announced that it will allow the sale of 50 new generic drugs so long as the distributors fix the price in dirhams. This brings the total number of fixed-price generic drugs to 79, said the official statement.
Qatar's HMC upgrades networks
The Hamad Medical Corporation is to conduct a comprehensive modernisation of its communication systems throughout all its hospitals and facilities, reported The Peninsula. The public will not be able to call the Hamad General Hospital, Women's Hospital, Rumaillah Hospital, Al Amal Cancer Hospital and the Al Sadd Pediatrics Emergency Centre from Thursday midnight to 6am on Friday. But the 999 emergency line will stay open.
Colds surge on weather change
A wave of colds and flus is sweeping across the Middle East as temperatures plummet to winter levels. Doctors recommend extra doses of vitamin C and flu vaccinations for those travelling overseas at this time of year.
ArabLab grows exhibitor base
ArabLab, the Middle East's largest laboratory and Instrumentation trade fair will run from January 31 to February 3, at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. This year the show has expanded its exhibitor base to focus on six main areas: automation, instrumentation, laboratory technology, biotechnology, robotics and diagnostics.
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