2006
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Health insurance phase two
The second phase of the UAE national health insurance scheme starts on 1 January 2007, Gulf News reports. It applies to residents and their dependants working in companies with less than 1,000 employees. National health insurance company Daman will provide basic policies for Dhs600.
Menopause remedies tested
Natural remedies are no better than placebos for relieving the symptoms of menopause, according to a study published in the Annals of International Medicine. It found that herbal supplements such as black cohosh or consuming soy-based food were no more effective than placebos, whereas women taking hormone replacement therapy showed significantly fewer symptoms.
Red Crescent stops Baghdad work
Iraqi Red Crescent aid workers have temporarily stopped work in Baghdad after 24 members were kidnapped, AFP reported. The group's activities in the rest of Iraq are unaffected.
Medcare Hospital for Jumeirah
The Medcare Hospital is to open in Jumeirah in Dubai in February 2007. The 60 bed multi specialty hospital, adjacent to Safa Park, between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Wasl Road, will offer facilities including 25 outpatient consultation rooms, an emergency department, delivery suites, an endoscopy room and day surgery unit.
Hajj study released
A study of 808 pilgrims hospitalised during a previous Hajj pilgrimage has found that 36% of the patients were suffering from some form of infection, while 25% were suffering from cardiovascular diseases, reported Arab News. The report by the Department of Medicine, King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, also found that 10% of patients had been affected by acute trauma such as stampede related injuries, falls and road accidents.
UAE's dams full to the brim
The recent heavy rainfall has enabled the UAE's 53 dams to collect around 21m cubic metres of rain water according to the Gulf News. The Ministry of Environment and Water has said the rain of the past two weeks is the highest amount recorded in December in the past ten years. Temperatures have also plunged with Dubai recording an average this month of 23.5C, five degrees cooler than last year.
UAE medics seek HIV protection
Private healthcare workers in the UAE are demanding easier access to drugs that could help prevent them being infected with the HIV virus, reported Gulf News. Anyone exposed to the virus should take anti-HIV drugs within six hours in order to stop the virus multiplying, but current UAE regulations prevent private hospitals from stocking the drugs on-site. Healthcare workers are at risk due to their work with sharp instruments.
Showery Sharjah is wettest
More than 130 mm of rain have been recorded so far this month in Sharjah, the highest amount registered in the UAE, reported Gulf News. Ras Al Khaimah has received 106mm, while Dubai has seen 60mm. Forecasters say the wet weather is set to continue with heavy rain expected over the sea on Sunday and Monday and there is a chance this could drift inland.
Emirati girls light up
A study by Dubai's Department of Health and Medical Services has found an increasing number of teenage Emirati girls are becoming regular smokers, reported Gulf News. The survey discovered that 43.9% of the girls questioned chose to smoke to alleviate personal problems and stress, while 19.5% said smoking made them look mature and they had also wanted to experiment. 2.4% of the 1,475 girls were said to be regular smokers.
Heart disease examined
Forty-one percent of all death in the UAE are the result of heart disease, according to statistics revealed at a medical conference in Dubai. More than 90% of deaths occur at 45 years or over, mainly in males. Around 300 specialists are in Dubai for the 3rd Partners International Cardiovascular Conference.
Gifts for autism campaign
Dubai's Ibn Battuta Mall is hosting a charitable campaign for the Dubai Autism Centre as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Visitors can donate gifts at the mall's Festive tree located at China Court, from 5pm to 10pm every day. Dubai Autism Centre is a non-profit organization which relies on fundraising to provide for children with autism.
ME diabetes website
Diabeticare, a diabetes website, has been created to enable Middle East patients to buy medical supplies. It offers products from around the world, with shipping throughout the GCC. Diabetes is increasing in the region, and is forecast to affect up to 30% of the population. The website address is www.diabetic-care.com.
Doctors need CME for licence
From next year, medical practitioners in the UAE will have to complete a minimum number of hours of Continuing Medical Education before being allowed to renew their licences, officials have announced. Practitioners who visit the Arab Health congress will be given a DVD containing five hours of American Academy of Continuing Medical Education. Completion of the online programme will go towards CME certification.
Emaar $5bn into health
Emaar plans to invest $5bn in the UAE's healthcare sector through Emaar Healthcare, and has appointed Omar Moawiyah Al Shunnar as its subsidiary's executive director, according to a company statement. Al Shunnar was project manager on Dubai Healthcare City, and was later appointed as its chief sales and marketing officer.
Diabetes forum at ICDC
UAE medical professionals are attending on 13 December the first in series of a forums on diabetes organised by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi. Diabetes could affect more than 65% of the local population by 2010 if the disease is not treated as a priority by the medical sector and public, ICDC said in a statement.
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