2005
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Coastal mangement conference
The long-term impact of the oil spills, coastal monitoring programmes, and Tsunami hazards on coastal and marine resources will be discussed at ArabianCoast 2005, an international conference on coastal zone management and engineering being held in Dubai from 27-29 November. A total of 110 papers will be presented during the conference.
Painkillers causing ulcers
Of all the cases of stomach ulcers diagnosed every month in Dubai, three to four are caused by non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to Rashid Hospital's Dr Hussain Al Rahma. He said NSAIDs are known to cause bleeding and ulcers when misused. A Spanish study found that one-third of hospitalisations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding were linked to the use of aspirin or NSAIDs.
Kuwait obesity warning
A study by the Kuwait University concluded that the country has one of the highest rates of diabetics and obese people in the world. A survey of 383 residents aged 20-65 years revealed that 70% were obese. Doctors attribute a change in lifestyle and eating habits of Kuwaitis as the cause.
Sunstroke deaths warning
Up to 75% of cases of sunstroke can result in death unless sufferers receive immediate medical attention, according to Dr Marco Labib Anton at the Belhoul European Hospital in Dubai. He said sunstroke occurs in conditions of extreme heat and humidity, as experienced in Gulf countries in summer, and people should avoid direct sunlight, wear suitable clothes and drink plenty of water to protect against it.
Call for bird flu plans
Middle East countries should put together contingency plans to deal with potential outbreaks of bird flu in the region following fears that outbreaks of the virus in South East and Central Asia could spread, according to a report by Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency. Plans should include proper disease surveillance and building stocks of vaccines and anti-viral drugs.
Schools get life saving equipment
The UAE Resuscitation Council is providing schools with life saving defibrillators as part of an education campaign. The council will educate local communities about sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of early defibrillation on its Summer's Here 2005 tour supported by Philips Medical.
More polio cases in Yemen
Yemen has reported about 50 new polio cases in addition to the 369 already confirmed. The cases were discovered in three provinces where residents refused vaccination due to social reasons, according to a health official. The Ministry of Health is running a two-day campaign to immunise 4 million children aged under five-years.
Qatar on cholera alert
Authorities in Qatar have stepped up surveillance at Doha International Airport and other entry ports following an outbreak of cholera in Iran, a health authority official told Gulf News. Travellers from Iran are being given a booklet about the symptoms and treatment for the disease. No cases have been reported.
Saudi to vaccinate pilgrims
Child pilgrims from certain countries coming to Makkah for the annual Haj pilgrimage in January will need to provide proof of polio vaccination before getting a Saudi entry visa, according to health officials. Children aged 15 years and under, from a list of 19 mainly African countries where polio is found, will also be required to take an oral vaccine on entry.
Drug side effects warning
A UAE Ministry of Health official has advised residents to check the possible side effects of prescription and over the counter drugs with doctors, following the case in the US of a man who died after taking the painkiller Vioxx. The drug is found to induce side effects, such as cardiac arrest, in some patients. It was removed from sale in the UAE in October 2004.
Keep Gulf seas clean
With over $90bn set to be invested in Gulf oil and gas infrastructure over the next five years, more vigilant maritime eco-control is needed, according to the Regional Clean Sea Organisation. Resco chairman Khamis J Bu Amim says protecting the maritime environment should be a major priority and not taken lightly.
Tuberculosis picture cloudy
Gulf countries failed to meet WHO incidence rates for tuberculosis in 2005 because of a lack of information about treatment statistics, UAE's Ministry of Health Dr Juma Bilal Fairuz told Gulf News. Dubai is the only emirate in the UAE which treats residents diagnosed with the disease; other emirates deport them. He said the country needs an accurate picture of the situation to better plan tuberculosis programmes.
Qatar plans psychiatric hospital
Qatar is planning to build a 526-bed psychiatric hospital in Doha, according to local media reports quoting Hamad Medical Corporation head Dr Mohamed Abdul Alim Ibrahim. The psychiatry department at HMC currently has 23 staff psychiatrists and a capacity for 56 in-patients.
Cholera fears in Iran
There are fears of a cholera epidemic in Iran following a health ministry report that six people had died from the disease that has affected 477 people across the country in the past month. State television has warned residents to avoid eating vegetables and ice blocks sold on the street, and restaurants have been banned from serving salad.
Saudis take the pledge
More than 300,000 Saudis have signed a pledge to keep Jeddah clean as part of a national environmental awareness campaign promoted by Al Baik and Coca Cola and backed by the UN's environment programme. The campaign aims to educate residents about the importance of recycling and keeping the Kingdom free of litter.
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