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Dubai Maritime City goes green
The Dubai Maritime City planned development will include environmentally friendly principles in all of its buildings, reported Emirates Today. Developers will be required to obtain green building certification from international bodies and incorporate best practices into both the design and construction. The focus will be on energy efficiency, reduced production of pollutants, passive cooling, indoor air quality and use of solar energy.
End for shisha cafes
Shisha cafes in the UAE may not have their popularity anymore in light of the draft anti-smoking law, which calls for a ban on public smoking, cited Gulf News. According to Dr Wedad Al Maidour, head of the National Tobacco Control Committee responsible for drafting the anti-smoking law, shisha must be smoked indoors in order to protect the public.
Dubai gets US med license permit
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has announced its regulatory body the Center for Health Care Planning and Quality has been granted permission to conduct Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination in Dubai, the first time the examination to be conducted outside US. This provision makes it possible for CPQ to further certify the quality of physicians licensed within DHCC.
WHO stamps UAE malaria-free
The UN World Health Organization is naming the UAE with a malaria-free status for its persistent efforts to eliminate the deadly disease, reported WAM. The report mentioned that malaria kills at least one million out of 300 million infected worldwide.
Towers to use natural breezes
Developers of Dubai Tower in the emirate's Festival City are adopting retro technology that will enable its apartments to remain cool without air conditioning for five months of the year, reported Emirates Today. The building will use natural breeze from the Arabian Gulf by employing an adaptation of the traditional wind tunnel principle. The tower was designed by Baker Kavanagh Architects, an Australian firm.
DHA plan in November
Following its creation in June and the completion of its planning review, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) will unveil the first elements of its proposed implementation plan in November. This will include the proposed structure of the DHA and a number of related agencies. The DHA will take over the management of the healthcare sector from the existing Department of Health and Medical Services (DoHMS) by 2012.
UAE pharmacists warned
The UAE's Health Ministry is warning pharmacists not to sell cough and cold medications designed for infants over the counter, reported Gulf News. The call comes after the voluntary recall of a number of drugs in the US following a link to dozens of fatal overdoses since 1969. The sale of such drugs in the UAE is prohibited unless the customer possesses a prescription.
UAE diabetes walkathon
A five kilometre walkathon is to be held in Abu Dhabi on November 23 at 3pm to raise awareness of the incidence of diabetes in the country, reported Gulf News. It is expected 10,000 people will take part in the event which will occur during World Diabetes Month. It is thought 20% of people in the UAE aged between 20 and 79 suffer from the condition.
Saudi takes anti-cholera steps
Saudi Arabia is taking steps to prevent the spread of cholera after the outbreak of an epidemic in neighbouring countries, reported AFP. The kingdom has banned all trade with the affected countries, namely Iraq and Iran, and has has banned Muslim pilgrims from bringing food or drink when entering Saudi from affected countries to perform the small pilgrimage or Umra. Kuwait and Jordan have also taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Dubai hospital complaints up
A report by the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services has found that public hospitals in the emirate individually recorded the highest number of medical complaints and proven negligence and mismanagement last year, but the rate remains low compared to the volume of cases handled, reported Gulf News. The report said 38 complaints were filed with the Dohms Clinical Governance Office, 12 of which were found to be the fault of the medical institution. By comparison, the private sector recorded 51 complaints.
UAE to study ecological footprint
The UAE will launch an 'ecological footprint initiative' next week aimed at ensuring developmental plans and policies are sustainable, reported Gulf News. Dr. Mohammad Saeed Al Kindi, Minister of Environment and Water, said the initiative would involve the study of a number of factors including the rate at which the natural resources of the country are being consumed.
Hatta to get $33m hospital
Qadhi Al Marshood, director of the Dubai Health Authority, has announced that the emirate plans to build a $33m hospital in Hatta to meet the area's growing demand for health services, reported Emirates Today. The facility, which is due to be completed by the middle of next year, aims to save residents from having to travel to Dubai for medical care.
du Red Crescent offer
Telco operator du is donating the proceeds of the first SMS sent by each of its subscribers every day to the UAE Red Crescent Society throughout the month of Ramadan. The amount donated by du will be 18 fils for both local and international text messages.
Iraq cholera warning
The World Health Organisation has urged countries bordering Iraq to be on their guard for an outbreak of cholera following the announcement of 43 new cases in Iran, reported Reuters. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said all the diagnosed cases were near to the country's border with Iraq, where 3,300 people have been affected by the illness since August. Iran's Health Ministry has advised people against travelling to Iraq.
Saudi diabetes drive
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has launched a nationwide drive to educate people about the dangers and causes of diabetes, reported Arab News. The condition is widespread in the kingdom, with 30% of the population affected, and the government is to set up a satellite TV channel focusing on health matters. The fact that 52% of Saudi's population is clinically overweight is seen as a major factor.
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