2006
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VLCC, GCC wellness drive
The VLCC Group says it will invest $17m in setting up new wellness centres in GCC countries. In the first phase, it will open centres in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi by the end of 2006; then by 2008 expand into Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. VLCC currently operates two centres in Dubai.
New Bahrain hospital underway soon
Construction on Bahrain's King Hamad General Hospital starts on 17 September, Gulf Daily news reported. The $130.8m project is being carried out by Nass Burhan, a joint venture between Bahrain-based Nass Contracting and Kuwait's Burhan International Construction Company. It is due to be completed in 22 months.
Unlicenced health workers blitz
The UAE's Health Ministry is coming down on private hospitals and medical centres employing doctors and nurses that are unlicenced, Gulf News reported. Institutions have been given until 31 October to comply with licencing requirements, or risk having their operating licence revoked.
Qatari pupils get eye checks
Qatari school pupils will undergo compulsory eye tests as part of a national campaign to prevent serious eye disorders among children, according to The Peninsula. Primary school pupils will need to produce a vision examination certificate before gaining admission to secondary schools.
Reef regeneration rapid
Coral reefs are rapidly regenerating in Gulf waters, according to a joint UAE-Qatar study reported by Gulf News. At least 18 out of an original 36 species of coral found in the region have recovered from damage suffered from past climatic stress events.
Qatar moves on environment
Qatar will shortly issue a policy document on the country's environmental affairs, The Peninsula reported. A workshop to come up with an "integrated environmental assessment", organised by the Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves and United Nations Environment Programme, started in Doha Monday. It will help Qatar formulate a policy on sustainable development.
Dubai Spine Conference
International spinal specialists will meet in Dubai for the 6th Dubai Spinal Conference on 14 September 2006 at the Dusit Hotel. Speakers from the EU and GCC will discuss the latest research and treatment of a range of spinal deformities.
UAE healthcare unity call
A senior UAE health official has called for a unified healthcare system with both the governmental and private sectors working under the same umbrella, according to local news agency reports. Dr Ali bin Shakir, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, yesterday met representatives from 24 companies, working in a variety of healthcare sectors, in order to forge closer bonds.
Finance House, Lebanon donation
Abu Dhabi's Finance House is to donate $545,000 to assist humanitarian relief efforts in Lebanon. The money has been earmarked to support the rebuilding of the country after more than a month of Israeli military aggression. Mohammed Alqubaisi, the Chairman of Finance House, said that the donation stemmed from corporate social responsibility.
Manama hospital upgrade
The first phase of the upgrading of facilities at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama will be completed by early November, reported TradeArabia. The upgrade will include an improved Accident and Emergency Department with a larger waiting area, as well as a dedicated pharmacy for emergency patients and a new toxicology centre.
Saudi scheme to cover 7m
Saudi Arabia's Health Minister, Dr Hamad Al Manie, has said that around 7m expatriate workers in the kingdom will be covered by the co-operative health insurance scheme by the end of the year, according to Arab News. Expats must be a member of a health insurance scheme in order to obtain or renew work permits. Membership of the co-operative scheme has jumped 335.5% in the past five weeks.
Kidney seller saved ordeal
An un-named man with severe financial problems who had offered to sell one of his kidneys to ease his debts has been helped out by a Dubai based businessman, reported Gulf News. The man had put a message on a UAE web site offering to sell a kidney after his friends ran off with his life savings. He had received no real interest in his kidney donation offer.
Qatar to get bone marrow clinic
Qatar's Al Almar Cancer Hospital will open a bone marrow transplant unit in 2007, with the help of Germany's University Clinics of Heidelberg, The Peninsula reported. There are now more than 500 patients in the country needing bone marrow transplants, double that in 1990, said Dr Osama Homsi.
EDA volunteers for clean-up
Emirates Diving Association members have pledged to help clean up the sea around Lebanon, which has been severely polluted as a result of the four-week conflict with Israel. Divers will be supported by experienced clean-up operators, and will use 'lift bags' supplied by Dubai Police to pick up hazardous waste. EDA members helped in the clean-up of Thai waters following the tsunami in December 2004.
"Ethical" stem cells
US scientists have developed a way to harvest human stem cells without destroying the foetus they come from, according to Reuters. Stem cells are master cells in embryos that can become any kind of tissue as the foetus develops. But religious groups still oppose the new method, claiming that foetuses might not survive, or may be born with defects.
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