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Kuwait probing possible swine flu case
Kuwait's Ministry of Health is investigating the case of an Indonesian woman who lived at the Indonesian Embassy's premises, and is suspected to be the country's first swine-flu case. The woman was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, at the embassy's request.
Saudi Arabia lifts ban on Indian seafood imports
Saudi Arabia has decided to lift a ban imposed on the import of fish and other sea products including farm products from India. The bas was imposed on seafood imports from a number of countries affected with cholera a few years ago. The kingdom has adopted stricter quality conditions on exports to the country, including a health certificate that is issued by a competent government authority, to be enclosed with each consignment.
Hydroxycut to be withdrawn from UAE
The UAE's Ministry of Health has asked the Secretariat General of UAE Municipalities to withdraw Hydroxycut, a dietary supplement, from the local market. The decision was taken after US Food and Drug Department received reports proving that the food supplement caused serious liver injuries.
Saudi firm offers home health care
A new Saudi firm, Salam Home Health Care, will offer integrated health services at home, including examination, treatment and follow-up. The project, during the first phase, will focus on large cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Makkah and Madinah and later expand to smaller towns.
Abu Dhabi healthcare centres approved
SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, has unveiled plans for two new healthcare facilities, which will replace the existing Al Mafraq and Al Ain hospitals and will be operational by 2013, according to Gulf News. Currently Al Mafraq Hospital is a 431-bed facility that has served the community for 25 years. Al Ain Hospital, a highly specialised acute care and emergency hospital, currently has 412 beds and 30 medical departments and divisions. The new plans have been approved by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Flu drug sales soar
Sales of antiviral flu medication have soared in the UAE due to fears about the swine flu outbreak. The country has a stockpile of Tamiflu, bought in during the avian flu worries four years ago, but independent pharmacies are said to be running low on stocks, The National has reported. Health authorities have issued directives to all hospitals and clinics over how to deal with suspected flu cases.
Flu scanners installed at Dubai airport
Dubai International Airport has installed thermal imaging scanners at the arrivals lounge in Terminals 1 and 3, to check for symptoms of swine flu. Paramedics have also been stationed at all three terminals to aid with suspected cases.
Swine flu prompts GCC meet in Doha
GCC and Yemen health ministers will hold an emergency meeting today in Doha to tackle measures to combat the swine flu as toll continues to rise, which has now reached Asia. Officials will assess plans to counter possibilities of the disease reaching the GCC region, as well as look into strategic measures and the World Health Organization's directives on dealing with the flu.
Saudi bans flights from swine flu hit countries
Khaled Al-Medhel, Director General of King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, has said that incoming flights from countries affected by swine flu have been halted as a precautionary measure, the Saudi Gazette has reported. Al-Medhel said airport officials and the Ministry of Health will meet next week to work out a joint mechanism for preventive action.
UAE health ministry to set up call centre
UAE's Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Quttami has announced the ministry will soon set up a 24x7 call centre to provide information about its services and address patients' queries. The staff of the new center, which shall be set up and managed by Etisalat in the next four months, will handle all inbound and outbound calls in both Arabic and English in addition to responding and managing e-mail communication.
Saudi to install cameras at airports to detect swine flu
Saudi Arabia plans to install thermal imaging cameras in its airports to help identify people entering the country who may be infected with swine flu, reported Arab News. A scientific committee has also been formed in the kingdom to study the latest information from the World Health Organisation on the virus, and will be making recommendations on preventing any possible outbreak in the country.
New medical services company sets up shop in Kuwait
Vertos, a medical services company, has been established in Kuwait with an estimated capital of KD one million. The company aims to establish and run hospitals, provide medical home care, and supply public and private medical institutions with primary care and specialized medical services.
UAE on alert following flu pandemic
Following outbreaks of 'swine flu' in Mexico and the US, the UAE's Ministry of Health Director-General Ali Shakar said the country had sufficient safeguards at borders, but would take extra precautions which could involve treatment or raising awareness, as advised by the global health advisory body. 'We will have everything ready, prepared and on standby once WHO sends notice,' Shakar said.
Planet to open 250 pharmacies
John Makepeace, the chief executive of the Dubai-based Planet Pharmacies group has said that the group is planning to launch a chain of 250 'Health First' pharmacies across the UAE in the next three years, the first of which would open in October. Health First's second store will open in Abu Dhabi and the third in Dubai. Makepeace said the company planned to open 10 stores in the UAE and 10 to 15 in Saudi Arabia this year.
Dohms waives health cards, insurance
The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) has waived the requirements for health card or a medical insurance as a prerequisite to issue medical fitness reports for residency visas in Dubai, Khaleej Times has reported. Dohms has retracted its earlier decision, and Dubai Municipality has followed suit. Health card or insurance is now compulsory only with the Ministry of Health (MoH).
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