2006
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Voluntary HIV testing
Dubai's Department of Health and Medical Services held voluntary testing for HIV on Monday, as part of efforts to raise awareness of the virus, Gulf News reported. People that test positive will be offered medical advice and treatment, and will not be reported to the authorities, a nurse told the daily.
Welcare opens eye centre
Welcare World Health Systems has opened its Welcare Eye Centre at Dubai Healthcare City. The centre offers a range of ophthalmic services such as cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma treatment, and corneal surgery. Welcare Eye Centre is an extension of Welcare Hospital's ophthalmology unit.
New centre at Kuwaiti Hospital
Sharjah is to set up a training centre at the Kuwaiti Hospital in collaboration with the World Gastroenterology Organisation and the University of Sharjah, according to the local WAM news agency. The centre will open next year and will aid the development of skills in diagnosing and treating diseases of the digestive system.
Teen depression in UAE
A leading psychiatry expert in the UAE has said he believes many children are suffering from depression and some have resorted to self-harming, reported Gulf News. Dr Saoud Al Mualla, the Head of Psychiatry at the Department of Health and Medical Sciences, said the UAE's rapid development has put extra pressures on teenagers to be successful. The Rashid Hospital in Dubai has reported five cases of self-harming this year.
466 HIV/Aids cases in UAE
The UAE's Health Ministry last week acknowledged the presence of HIV/Aids in the country and revealed there are presently 466 patients receiving treatment, reported Gulf News. Humaid Al Qutami, the Minister of Health, said all the cases involve UAE nationals as foreigners with HIV/Aids are deported. A total of 657 cases have been detected since the 1980s.
UAE hepatitis drive
The UAE's first awareness and prevention campaign for Hepatitis has been launched in Abu Dhabi, reported Gulf News. The Sports and Health Foundation of the Al Jazira Club has teamed up with the regional office of the World Health Organisation for the project. The campaign will highlight the modes of transmission and prevention and point out potential risks.
Mobile phones no cancer link
Mobile phones have no effect on the risk of cancer, according to a Danish study conducted over 21 years, new agencies reported. The study of 420,000 mobile users found that even long-term use put mobile phones users at no higher risk of getting cancer than non-users.
UAE health insurance authorisation
Thirty-four UAE hospitals and medical centres and 16 pharmacies have been authorised to take part in the UAE Health Insurance Scheme by Abu Dhabi's Health Services authority. A further 14 clinics and 16 pharmacies can deal in the basic health insurance policy.
Bahrain, $133m on expat health
Bahrain's health ministry is spending around $133m a year providing medical treatment to foreigners, taking up half its annual budget, Gulf Daily News reported. Compulsory health insurance for expatriates will be introduced by early 2008, an official said.
EEG scoops Ford grant
The Emirates Environment Group was the only winner from the UAE at the 2006 Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants awards in the GCC and Levant countries, reported Gulf News. The group was awarded a grant of $10,000 following its work with school children. Since its inception in the region in 2000, the Ford programme has handed out grants totalling $600,000 to 73 projects.
Saudi, free AIDS treatment
Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Dr Hamad Al Manie has said all patients suffering from AIDS in the kingdom will receive free treatment in government hospitals, reported Arab News. The Health Ministry also revealed that 1,201 new cases have been recorded, of which 311 of the sufferers are Saudi nationals and the remainder foreigners. From 1984 until the end of last year, over 10,000 AIDS cases had been reported in the country.
Jafza, National Day event
The Jebel Ali Free Zone has marked UAE National Day by organising activities for children with special needs and for the elderly. A large number of children from Rashid Paediatric Therapy and people from the old people's home affiliated to the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services, visited Creek Park last week and participated in a Fun Day. An awards ceremony was also held at the event.
Al Mazaya, $42m Kuwait centre
Kuwaiti property investment firm Al Mazaya Holding is moving into Kuwait's medical care sector. Al Mazaya has signed a deal with a Kuwaiti investor, Mohammed Naser Al Hajeri, to build, operate and transfer a medical centre project on a 40,000 sqft area in Al Jabriya, at a cost of $41.7m. Al Mazaya is hoping the scheme will generate yearly returns of 15%.
Jeddah, mental health campaign
The Psychiatric Hospital in Jeddah is putting together a combined five day programme for World Mental Health Day and World Suicide Prevention Day, reported Arab News. The actual dates were missed due to Ramadan and Eid and so now the hospital is running a campaign of lectures at shopping malls and portable clinics. A phone hotline for the event, entitled Renew Your Life, has also been set up.
Heavy rain lashes Gulf
Last week's unpredictable weather continued yesterday as Qatar endured heavy rainfall during the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2006. The weather front is now on its way to the UAE and Ras Al Khaimah experienced downpours yesterday evening, while Dubai woke up to persistent rain early this morning. Drier and brighter weather should follow on behind.
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