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Healthcare Solutions wins Qatar contract
UAE-based Healthcare Solutions has announced that the Ministry of Health in Qatar has awarded HCS a contract for the supply, installation, training and support of an HL7 interface engine to integrate their healthcare information system, PACS and Blood Analyzers, at the Medical Commission facility. Healthcare Solutions provides healthcare IT solutions in the GCC covering consulting, products, services and system integration.
Jordan gov't urged to reconsider sales tax on medicines
The Jordan Pharmacists Association (JPhA) has called on the government to reconsider the sales tax imposed on pharmaceutical products, saying it will lead to a further increase in prices of medicine. The JPhA had threatened last week to close pharmacies across the kingdom for four hours on July 19, in an effort to have the controversial legislation scrapped in Parliament. 'Medicine is not a luxury item, it is a necessity that people cannot do without,' JPhA President Taher Shakhshir has said.
Standard Chartered launches AIDS education website
Standard Chartered bank has launched a global online campaign and website (www.vir.us) to raise awareness and provide education about HIV and AIDS to the 15-24 year old population. As part of the campaign, the bank has developed the 'Anti-HIVirus' software, delivered through a series of six entertaining, animated films that stealthily educate at the same time. The free software arms visitors with the knowledge to protect themselves against HIV and AIDS and helps to dispel the myths that drive stigma.
Glaxo buys Bristol-Myers MidEast operations
GlaxoSmithKline has acquired Bristol-Myers Squibb's branded generics drugs business in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Yemen for $23.2m, Reuters has reported. The new acquisition comprises a portfolio of 13 branded pharmaceuticals with annual sales of $11.8m in 2008. The cash deal follows the British drug maker's 2008 purchase of Bristol's mature medicines business in Egypt and underlines the strategy goal of Glaxo becoming a leading player in branded generics in developing countries.
Iraq receives $10m for water and sanitation
The European Community has funded a $10m project to improve Iraq's water and sanitation services. Unicef is implementing the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works and the Ministry of Municipalities in Kurdistan. The project is aimed at increasing the government's provision of services and capacity to manage and develop Iraq's water and sanitation sector.
Smoking cessation drugs to have warnings
The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has ordered Pfizer Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline PLC to add strong 'black box' warnings on Pfizer's Chantix and Glaxo's Zyban, smoking cessation drugs to highlight a risk of serious mental health problems including changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility, and suicidal thoughts. Pfizer has said it had added the warning to the prescribing instructions for its drug.
Kuwait health awareness campaign underway
Kuwait's biggest campaign for better nutrition and weight management, a joint effort between Taiba Hospital and Diet Care, provider of diet and nutrition services, has announced that its team of nutritionists has given free consultations to close to 200 individuals in the first three days of the campaign. The team of dieticians is conducting weekly visits to work places, schools, malls, and social gatherings offering free cholesterol tests, blood sugar level tests, weight assessments and consultations.
Dubai launches new health scheme for government employees
The Dubai Health Authority has launched its health insurance scheme, Enaya, for government employees and their dependents. The new scheme provides all government employees with the opportunity to have a comprehensive medical check up, which includes screening for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, depression, stress, and various forms of cancer such as skin, breast and cervical cancer. Enaya also provides cover for pre-existing medical conditions.
Saudis seek treatment in Jordan
According to a report in Saudi Arabia's Al-Riyadh newspaper, approximately 23,000 Saudis, most of them living in the northern region of the kingdom, had sought medical treatment in neighbouring Jordan. The report said the major reason for the exodus was the lack of satisfactory care in their areas.
Dubai Investments to expand pharma unit
Khalid Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Investments, has said the company will be spending up to Dhs30m on expanding existing facilities and building warehouses for its subsidiary pharmaceuticals manufacturer Globalpharma, which it recently fully acquired. The group is also planning to use its private equity subsidiary M'Sharie to expand into the Saudi market, reported Emirates Business.
Kuwait doctors to get new pension scheme
Kuwait's Ministry of Health has drafted a new pension scheme for doctors and other professionals in the medical sector. The new pension plan has been referred to the health minister. According to the new scheme, the Public Authority for Social Security (PASS) will not have the final word in this regard as the Ministry of Health''s Medical Council will have the final decision, reported Al Watan newspaper.
Jeddah to build largest dialysis centre in ME
The biggest dialysis centre in the Middle East, equipped with 140 machines to serve 800 patients daily, will be established in Jeddah at a cost of SR60 million, reported Arab News. The centre will be named after the late Makkah governor, Prince Abdul Majeed, and will be fully funded by the Prince Fahd bin Salman Charitable Foundation for the Care of Kidney Patients. The three-story centre, which will be constructed in 18 months, will be built on a 10,000 sq. metre site at the King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah.
Child vaccination program begins in Jordan
Jordan has received a shipment of 15,000 pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine doses as a donation from US-based Wyeth Pharmaceuticals to help boost the kingdom's efforts to combat pneumococcal disease. Five thousand children living in the Ajloon region, which was selected by the country's ministry of health, will be vaccinated against life threatening diseases like meningitis, bacteraemia and septicaemia.
Muscat hospital signs teaching deal
Oman's Muscat Private Hospital, the first private hospital in the Sultanate to conduct open heart surgery, has signed a partnership with the Oman Medical College to teach 80 third year medical students over the coming months. According to the agreement, students and their faculty advisors will also be able to participate in the research activities in their particular fields.
American Hospital opens fetal and maternal unit
The American Hospital Dubai has announced it opened a subspecialty in obstetrics called 'Fetal / Maternal Medicine' in UK, and 'Perinatology' in the US. The facility offers advanced fetal scanning technology and dedicated specialists to examine the fetus at a very early stage and identify possible problems.
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