2007
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Saudi bans long-serving GPs
Saudi Arabia's Health Minister Dr Hamad Al Manie has said expatriate doctors who have completed 20 years service in the kingdom will not have their contracts renewed, reported Arab News. The decision is an attempt by the government to generate more positions for Saudi doctors, many of whom have returned to the kingdom after studying abroad. 78% of Saudi's 43,000 doctors are expatriates.
Qatari research worries
Dr Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari, the DG of Qatar's General Authority for Standards and Specifications, has said the lack of scientific research centres in the country, and across the entire GCC, is behind the spread of diseases such as cancer, reported The Peninsula. Al Kuwari said it was 'shocking' that such conditions are 'spreading widely' despite the fact Qatar is a rich country.
UAE water concerns
A study by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi has revealed that the UAE only has enough domestic use emergency water supplies to last between two and five days, reported Gulf News. The paper recommends the utilisation of groundwater aquifer storage and recovery techniques as a means of building up reserve supplies. Water demand in the UAE has increased five-fold since 1970.
UAE sells anti-smoking drug
Pharmacies in the UAE are now offering Champix, a prescription medicine to help smokers quit, reported Gulf News. The usual course of treatment for Champix is at least 12 weeks, and a short reduction of the dose is recommended after one week to help reduce irritability at the end of the treatment. Champix has been approved by Dubai's Ministry of Health.
Poor hygiene in UAE
Dr. Ram Shukla, a specialist in infectious diseases in the Ministry of Health, said inadequate handwashing is a big issue in the UAE, even in hospitals and clinics, reported Gulf News. He said the problem stems from unqualified people in the health field and lack of a proper mechanisms to enforce hygiene. It is also an issue in supermarkets where the staff 'touch everything' with their gloved hands while serving food.
'Panic button' to quicken rescues
Dubai residents may soon be able to press a 'panic button' in a medical emergency to help reduce the time spent by ambulances looking for them, reported Gulf News. Ambulances will have detailed information about patients with chronic diseases including their addresses to get to them immediately in case of an emergency. The button will be a small device, about the size of a mobile phone, which will be with the patient all the time.
Thailand for UAE nationals
Thailand has become a major medical centre for UAE nationals, with almost 70,000 seeking treatment in the South East Asian nation last year, reported Gulf News. The figure is up significantly on the 48,802 who made the trip in 2005 and most are either private patients or are sponsored by government agencies, the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), the police or military.
Raw sewerage in Sonapur
Workers living in labour camps in the Sonapur area of Dubai have complained about the presence of raw sewerage water in front of their accommodation which is causing them to fall ill and is generating a foul stench, reported Gulf News. Dubai Municipality said the problem stems from faulty septic tanks and it has vowed to rescind the licence of any firm which is found to possess them at its camp.
11 year wait for Sidon hospital
Sidon's Public University Hospital was inaugurated last week, 11 years after then Prime Minister Rafik Hariri launched the start of the project, reported the Daily Star. The hospital is located on the northern outskirts of the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon. The 130 bed facility has been built according to international standards and includes an x-ray department, dialysis provision and laboratories.
Bahrain inspects importers
Bahraini health authorities have launched a nationwide inspection of the food storage facilities of food importers following complaints of maggot infested dates being sold at a market, reported Gulf News. The kingdom has pledged a zero tolerance policy against importers whose facilities are found to be sub-standard. Heat and humidity, allied to poor storage conditions, have been blamed for the dates being affected by the maggots.
Saudi Ramadan helpline
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has launched its 'Hello Ramadan Health' programme for the third consecutive year, reported Arab News. The scheme has been devised to enable people who are fasting to telephone experts and receive health advice related to Ramadan. The panel consists of GPs, pharmacists and nutritionists and, within the kingdom, is available on 800 2494444 between 10am and 4pm.
Earthquake in RAK
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale hit Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday evening at around 7.45pm, forcing people to come out of their houses, reported Gulf News. The US Geological Survey said the epicentre was deep inside the earth around 35 kilometres to the south east of Ras Al Khaimah. A previous minor quake hit the UAE in March of this year.
Campaign to combat breast cancer
Dubai's Burjman shopping centre has teamed up with the UAE Red Crescent Society and the Dubai Health Authority to announce the annual Safe and Sound campaign to raise money to combat breast cancer, reported Emirates Today. The campaign raised Dhs227,000 last year and organisers have said they aim to double that amount this year. The campaign enters its 10th year in October.
GCC mulls testing of goods
The GCC is drafting procedures to require mandatory testing of goods imported into the member states to ensure safety and quality standards, reported Khaleej Times. Dr. Rashid A bin Fahad, secretary general of the GCC standarisation organisation, said new measures would allow customs clearance of only those imported goods which are manufactured according to international standards and specifications.
New medical waste incinerator
Dubai Municipality and Zenath Group, the recycling and waste management arm of ETA Star Group, have signed an agreement to build the UAE's largest medical incinerator plant for safe treatment of medical waste. The incinerator will have a treatment capacity of 20 tons per day and will be fully operational by late 2008. The civic body handled 1188 tons of medical waste in 2006, compared to 579 tons in 2002.
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