2006
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Desalination key for Saudi
Saudi Arabia is reliant upon desalination for 60% of its water supply according to a senior desalination official cited in the Arab News. Urban areas such as Riyadh, Medina, Yanbu, Jeddah and Mecca depend upon the system and Saudi is the world's largest producer of desalinated water. Jeddah has recently experienced severe water shortages and it may take three years to rectify the problem.
Dates are great in Saudi
Saudi nutritionists have been urging schools and hospitals to include dates in their menus, reported Arab News. The nutritionists claim dates contain carbohydrates, moisture as well as easily digestible amino acids and vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid. They are also a cheap source of iron, potassium, copper, sulphur and manganese, in addition to moderate amounts of calcium and magnesium.
Anti-smoking drug for UAE
Doctors in the UAE are looking forward to the future availability of a new anti smoking drug following its approval by the European Commission, reported Gulf News. Varenicline, sold under the brand name Champix, works by reducing cravings and lessening withdrawal symptoms as well as by making smoking less enjoyable. Heart specialists are looking forward to its availability, saying that the drug has few as yet documented side effects.
AD SEN centre struggles
A centre for the rehabilitation of children with special needs in Abu Dhabi is struggling to stay afloat due to severe financial constraints, reported Gulf News. The self funding Special Care Centre supports 70 students but is unable to take on any more children from its waiting list or upgrade its facilities. The centre is launching a fund raising campaign and those interested can visit the centre's website at www.good-heart.org
UAE scientists, gene progress
UAE scientists have claimed that they are getting close to discovering a gene responsible for a rare genetic disorder in which babies are born without certain bones, reported Gulf News. The disorder, known as tibial hemimilia, has been found within families in the UAE as well as other parts of the world. Scientists say they have now identified a chromosome but have yet to identify the faulty gene.
$16.7m project to train nurses
Bahrain will spend $16.7m to train nurses and other healthcare professionals to help fill a gap in trained medical staff in the country, Gulf Daily news reported. The programme will be run from the College of Health Sciences. It is estimated that 3,000 more nurses will be needed in Bahrain over the next ten years, said a government official.
Flu treatment revolution
Scientists are developing a way to give instant protection against flu, and possibly prevent future pandemics, the BBC reports. They have created a "protecting virus" by using a flu virus naturally stripped of some genetic material to compete with other invading flu viruses. This slows the rate of infection so that the flu virus effectively becomes its own vaccine.
Blitz on dental health
Saudi ministry officials have unveiled details of an oral health programme to be run in schools for the next three years to educate pupils about dental care. Pupils will be taught proper dental hygiene habits and the correct way to brush teeth. It is a joint effort between the health and education ministries and oral care companies Crest and Oral-B.
Smoking ban cuts heart attacks
A public smoking ban in Italy has led to a fall in hospital admissions for heart attacks, according to research cited by the BBC. An analysis carried in the European Heart Journal concluded that an 11% drop in admissions for the first five months of 2006 was probably due to a drop in passive smoking exposure. Smoking is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Nobel Prize for genetics
Two US scientists have won the Nobel Prize for medicine after making a genetic discovery that could lead to new treatments for cancer, according to the BBC. The phenomenon, RNA interference, regulates the expression of genes. It will enable scientists to test the functions of all human genes.
Disability issues in Jordan
The Amman based Cerebral Palsy Foundation is to highlight the problems facing people with disabilities in the country on Cerebral Palsy Day on October 5, reported the Jordan Times. Dr Samira Baban, the organisation's Medical Director, said that accessibility around the capital, and most especially in schools, needs improvement. The CPF has six centres around the country offering counselling, rehabilitation services and mobility aids.
UAE breast cancer campaign
The National Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign was launched today at the Ministry of Health, with the campaign running throughout October and November. Private hospitals and centres across the country are offering discounts on mammograms during this period. In addition, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Sharjah and Alfa Medical Group in Dubai are all offering free mammograms for local and expatriate women.
Coke donates to Mideast relief
The Coca-Cola Company is to donate $500,000 towards Middle East humanitarian relief. The money has been directed to the International Federation of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross Societies. The IFRC will be using this financial support as part of its emergency appeal to assist vulnerable communities and to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the recent conflict in Lebanon.
$6m hospital for Amman
A $6m hospital is set to open in the Hai Nazzal area of Amman within the next six months, reported the Jordan Times. Work on the 120 bed, 3,000 sqft facility began back in 2002 and the project was funded with donations from benefactors. The hospital will consist of two six storey buildings containing operating theatres, a maternity section, laboratories, a children's ward, emergency room and clinics.
Free medical camp in Al Ain
Low paid workers attended a free medical camp run by the Al Ain Chapter of the Association of Kerala Medical Graduates, reported Gulf News. More than 1,000 labourers visited the clinic which was staffed by 25 doctors, 30 nurses and other medical staff. Free check-ups and consultations were given to the workers who couldn't afford healthcare at private or public hospitals.
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