2005
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RAK clampdown on pharmacies
Ras Al Khaimah medical inspectors have swooped on five local pharmacies, seizing sex-related items being sold without prescription, reported Gulf News. Inspectors also found that one pharmacy was selling free samples from pharmaceutical companies at the full price.
Bird flu update on website
Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency has included a section on bird flu on its revamped website. The site was launched yesterday by secretary-general Majid Al Mansouri at a ceremony in the UAE capital, Visit, www.ead.ae.
40+ quick check-up
The Elixir Medical Centre in Dubai is promoting a 40+ quick check-up for Dhs300 from November 21-27. The consultation includes blood pressure, complete blood count, blood sugar, cholesterol, urine analysis and a chest x-ray.
$1.86m Bahrain health centre
The $1.86m National Bank of Bahrain Health Centre in Dair village will officially open in December, but is currently offering limited medical services. The centre is expected to treat more than 58,000 patients a year. The bank says the project is part of its corporate donations programme, to which it allocates 5% of its annual net profits.
New resident health scheme
The UAE is planning to introduce a national health insurance scheme for residents to reduce the cost of medical care. The plan will come into effect within 12 months and insurance cards would be compulsory, Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr Abdul Gaffar Al Hawi told Gulf News.
Oman's malaria success
The World Health Organisation says Oman's successful malaria eradication programme serves as an example for other countries fighting the deadly disease. It is considering establishing Oman's Malaria Laboratory as a Regional Centre of Excellence in Malaria Microscopy.
Doctors demand kickbacks
Some Dubai-based doctors in the private sector are taking kickbacks amounting to up to 30% of treatment costs in return for referring patients to colleagues, reported Emirates Today. Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre Dr Husnia Gargash claims the unethical practice is widespread.
Lundbeck, mental health campaign
Lundbeck Gulf, in collaboration with UAE psychiatrists, educational institutions and other health care providers, is running a campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health in society. Titled Good Mind for Good Body, the programme runs from 19-25 November, and includes a day of free psychiatric consultations on 20 November. For information call 971 43434610.
Thalassemia drug hope
UAE medical specialists are hoping a new drug for the treatment of iron overload in thalassemia sufferers will soon be approved by local authorities. Exjade, by Novartis, has been approved by the US FDA as the world's first once-daily oral iron chelator. One in 12 UAE nationals carries the gene for thalassemia, according to a study carried out by the Al Wasl Hospital in 2002.
Diabetes centre at SKMC
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City has opened its new diabetes treatment centre. The centre has recently been expanded and now offers patients dietary advice, insulin pump therapy, and a 96-hour continuous blood glucose monitoring facility. The centre treats around 100 patients daily, which is set to double in the next year.
Children's Week offer at Zulekha
Zulekha Hospital Sharjah is celebrating Children's Week from 14-20 November with a special offer of free dental and ENT check-up with a paediatric consultation. Consultations are not available for 18 November. For more details patients can call 06 565 8866 or 04 267 8866.
Child cancer fundraiser
A dinner to raise funds for the Children's Cancer Centre of Lebanon is being held on 17 November at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The CCCL gives free medical care for Middle East children where treatment is not covered by private and public insurance. The event is being hosted by the UAE Minister of Education and Higher Studies, in association with the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi.
Saudi bans all bird imports
Saudi Arabia has banned all bird imports into the Kingdom by royal decree in an effort to prevent an outbreak of bird flu, reported Arab News. This measure has been taken due to the dangers of bird flu and also after its appearance in countries near the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency said, quoting Agriculture Minister Fahd Balghaneim.
UAE version of Tamiflu
The UAE Ministry of Health has approved the request of Gulf Pharmaceuticals to manufacture is own version of the Tamiflu anti-viral medicine called Flufly. The medication will be in the market in a few days and will also be available to GCC countries shortly, reported Gulf News.
3rd UAE Neuroscience Conference
The 3rd Emirates Neuroscience Conference runs until November 15 in the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and is associated with Sheikh Hamdan Awards for Medical Science. Many world famous, international and local lecturers will discuss recent developments and researches in the fields of neurosciences.
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