2006
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Welcare supports Dubai 7s
The local Welcare Hospital is putting on a team of 15 doctors, 30 nurses and five paramedics to provide medical assistance at the Dubai Sevens rugby tournament this weekend. Sports Medicine surgeon, Dr George John, will head the team over the three days. It is the eighth consecutive year that Welcare has supported the event.
Saudi smokes out tobacco firms
Saudi Arabia is threatening to sue US and British tobacco companies for the cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses, according to a health ministry statement cited by Reuters. The health ministry had previously rejected an offer of compensation by unnamed firms. The amount claimed was not revealed, nor where a proposed action would be brought.
IDB $10bn fund for Africans
The Islamic Development Bank says it plans to raise at least $10bn over 10 years to combat extreme poverty in Africa and elsewhere, Reuters reported. Saudi Arabia has pledged $1bn and Kuwait $300m to launch the fund, which is expected to start operations in mid-2007.
Dubai donates $10m to WFP
Dubai has donated $10m to the World Food Programme, Gulf News reported. Dubai's government and local companies Emaar, Nakheel and Dubai Holding each made contributions. The Rome-based humanitarian organisation has a depot in Dubai to handle regional distribution of aid.
Clean Up UAE in December
A nationwide cleanup of the UAE's beaches, wadis and deserts will be held on 12 December, Gulf News reported. Clean UP UAE will target ecologically sensitive areas, including protected zones and coastal areas affected by developments, according to organisers Emirates Environmental Group. Volunteers can register at eeg-uae.org.
Rain returns to UAE
Rain returned to the UAE yesterday with much of the country receiving significant showers in the afternoon, reported Gulf News. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah were all affected as were Fujairah and Khor Fakkan. Temperatures dropped to below 20 degrees Celsius in Dubai during the downpours and the rest of the week is likely to be unsettled, with rough conditions expected at sea.
LifeCell seeks Dubai operation
LifeCell, an Indian stem cell repository, has applied for a licence to operate in Dubai, reported the Khaleej Times. Once clearance has been given, LifeCell will target the Indian expat community, which numbers close to 1m, for umbilical cord blood storage. Dubai would be the firm's 22nd centre and any cord blood collected would be stored at its banking facility in Chennai.
UAE's RCA donates $735m
The UAE Red Crescent Authority has spent around $735m on humanitarian, charitable and relief operations from 1999 until September this year, according to the local WAM news agency. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister and RCA President, said the country has now become a key global aid and relief donor.
UAE foundation backs research
A UAE based medical research foundation has so far spent $3.8m over the past five years on grants, according to a senior official cited by Gulf News. Dr Najeeb Al Khaja, the Secretary General of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Research, said that more than 50 projects have been backed so far and the number of grants will increase in the future.
Threat of fake medicine
Fake medicines are a growing threat worldwide, and tougher measures must be implemented to stamp out their trade, according a UK pharmaceutical expert. The problem is particularly bad in developing countries, where up to 30% of medicines supplied are fake. Some counterfeit medicines contain toxic substances such as anti-freeze.
Holistic health in Sharjah
The Sharjah International Holistic Health Centre was opened by the Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday. The centre has specialty clinics for internal medicine, paediatrics, general medicine, dentistry, nutrition and iridology diagnostics. Promoters say the centre uses both traditional and alternative medicine in diagnosis and treatment.
HIV infection on the rise
HIV infection is rising in every region in the world, with sub-Saharan Africa still bearing the brunt of Aids cases, according to a United Nations report cited by Reuters. The UN says there were around 4.3m new infections worldwide this year, with a heavy concentration among young people, bringing the total number to an estimated 39.5m.
Breast cancer openness urged
A senior UAE minister has called for more openness in discussing women's health issues to help curb the spread of diseases such as breast cancer, according to Emirates Today. Minister of Economy and Planning, Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, said as a community it is our job to spread the message of early detection, probability and causes of the disease. Doctors say many women are waiting too long before seeking treatment.
DHCC appoints CEO
Dubai Healthcare City has appointed UAE national Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi as its Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Al Hashimi will be accountable for Dubai Healthcare City's operational management and quality, development of education, new businesses and customer relationship. Dr. Al Hashimi holds a doctorate in Public Health from the University of Texas, Houston.
Dubai Prop sponsors falcons
Dubai Properties is to be one of the sponsors of 'Flight Of Falcons', the finale in the Desert Trilogy series. The three year programme, highlighting public art and humanitarian causes, began in 2004 with the Camel Caravan, followed by Dubai's Celebration of the Arabian Horse last year. So far, the initiative has raised nearly $2.3m for charitable causes.
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