2007
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DM monitors oil residues
The Dubai Municipality (DM) has stated that the retrieval, collection, transportation, treatment and trading of various types of oil and lubricant residues must only be carried out with prior approval and in line with established rules and regulations. The decision is applicable to all types of oil residues generated by food establishments and factories, as well as remnants of oil and lubricants generated by industrial and service establishments.
UAE renovation project
The UAE's Ministry of Health has completed a $21.6m project to renovate nine health centres in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, reported the local WAM news agency. Dr Maryam Matar, the Ministry's Assistant Under secretary for Public Health and Primary Health Affairs, said plans had been drawn up for a number of new hospitals, while the Ras Al Khaimah Hospital and Dubai's Al Amal Hospital will be redesigned.
Saudis shun pharmacology
Saudi Arabia would need to generate 100,000 pharmacy graduates to replace the expatriate workers currently employed in both the public and private sector, reported Arab News. Shali Al Jedani of the Ibn Sina College of Medical Sciences in Jeddah said he believed less than 5% of professionals working in the pharmacology sector in Saudi were locals. He blamed the lack of popularity of pharmaceutical sciences among students as the key factor.
UAE school targets health
The Scholars International Academy, located on the Dubai-Sharjah border, is to introduce a healthier school canteen menu in order to counter rising levels of diabetes and childhood obesity, reported Gulf News. The menu will be high on fibre and low on fat and sugar and will come into force from the start of the academic year. The school claims it is the first in the UAE to adopt such a policy.
50,000 recycled mobiles in UAE
EnviroFone has collected 50,000 handsets so far in its campaign to recycle old and damaged mobile phones in the UAE, the Khaleej Times reported. The company started the campaign in mid-June to protect the environment from contaminated and harmful toxins found in mobile equipment. Citizens can deposit unwanted mobile phones at 270 drop boxes across the UAE and have the chance to win prizes, including air tickets to London.
Medical experts back CME
Medical experts have expressed support for Dubai's Continuing Medical Education programme, a government mandate aimed to further professionalise the ranks of practitioners in the healthcare industry and provide patients with better healthcare. Under the programme, medical professionals must meet a target number of CME hours each year before renewing their licences.
UAE to ban low quality diesel
The UAE Federal Environment Agency has announced it will campaign for the formulation of proper mechanisms to ban entry and use of low quality and under specification diesel, WAM reported. Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel now offered in UAE is a cleaner alternative as it is less polluting to the environment because of its lower sulphur content and generates much lower amounts of particulates and NOx, known causes linked to asthma and cancer.
98% execs vote no smoking
Pressure is mounting on Middle East companies to ban smoking in the workplace, according to the latest survey by GulfTalent.com. The survey found that an overwhelming 98% of professionals favour some form of smoking restriction in their workplace. Of the total respondents, who included both smokers and non-smokers, 54% preferred a complete ban on smoking inside office premises.
Initiatives for UAE
The UAE's Ministry of Health has rolled out 35 initiatives which will be implemented over the next three years. The ministry aims to unify healthcare policies across the country and will seek to offer more specialist treatment, as part of a strategic plan leading up to 2010. The initiatives include creating an electronic network linking hospitals and health centres and developing a medical archiving system and national health database.
GSH invests in Spring Creek
Kuwait's Global Securities House has refinanced the loan facility it used to acquire a majority interest in the Spring Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare Centre in December 2006. The refinancing has resulted in lower repayments as well as an extended maturity date. GSH now intends to pump additional investment into the Pennsylvania based centre.
Daman clarifies AD policy
Insurance firm Daman has stated that work related injuries or illnesses are not covered by the mandatory health insurance scheme now in operation in Abu Dhabi, reported Gulf News. Daman stated that employers have an obligation, under the federal law, to pay for health problems suffered as a direct result of work. The insurance scheme covers medical conditions which are un-connected to a policy holder's job.
Kuwaiti hospitals underway
Kuwait's United Medical Services Company is planning to open two hospitals next year, reported the KUNA. The $88.7m Al Seif Hospital, which will specialise in a number of areas including gynaecology and paediatrics, will have 120 beds and will be located in Salmiya. The firm is also constructing a 200 bed facility, also costing $88.7m, which will focus on digestive problems and urinal complaints.
Meed environmental survey
Business leaders across the Gulf region want the introduction of new environmental laws to clamp down on unsustainable practices, according to a survey published by our sister publication MEED. The survey found that 99% of respondents believe businesses have an obligation to behave in a sustainable way and 84% said this should be a legal requirement. Waste management, energy usage and pollution were among the areas targeted for better regulation.
Shades for UAE kids
Eye specialists in the UAE have recommended that children should wear sunglasses to school in order to protect them from the sun's ultra-violet rays, reported Gulf News. Dr K.R. Sathish, an Ophthalmology specialist at Dubai's Welcare Hospital, said the impact of UV rays is cumulative and in extreme cases, regular exposure can lead to macular degeneration and cataracts.
Mattel toys recalled
Four Chinese-made Fisher-Price toys from Mattel that have been on sale in GCC countries are being recalled over fears that the paint contains high lead levels, reported Gulf News. The four toys, which Mattel says were sold 'in very limited quantities' in the GCC were made by a contract manufacturer in China that used a non-approved paint pigment with a high lead content.
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