Pink Caravan leaves Dubai to Al Ain after 9-day pan-UAE journey

The Pink Caravan's horseback tour in Dubai received a warm public welcome, while the mobile clinics, which were set up at Ousha Bint Hussain Cultural Centre and Al Hamriyah Club, saw a large public turnout as well as positive collaboration from the management of both venues. The excellent response to clinics reflected the high level of public awareness about the importance of breast cancer early detection. People also applied for testing to show their support for the Pink Caravan and its role in enhancing public health.

The Pink Caravan's medical teams carried out medical screenings for 358 women and 85 men, of whom 233 were Emiratis and 210 expatriates. A total of 443 screenings were carried out in the eighth day. Applicants who were screened varied in age, with 343 being under the age of 40 and 120 above 40. On the 8th day, 60 cases were referred for mammogram screening and 12 women were referred for ultrasound examination.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Secretary General of the FoCP and Head of the Pink Caravan's Medical and Awareness Committee, said: "Providing breast cancer screening to 4154 people in 8 days marks a significant milestone for the UAE in terms of breast cancer early detection efforts. The number of UAE citizens was 1804, making up 45% of the total number of applicants during the 8 days. This is an excellent figure on GCC and regional levels, achieved in record time, while the high level of service and organizing is maintained. The Pink Caravan has more to achieve in Dubai, Al Ain, and Abu Dhabi. We aim to screening a minimum of 5000 people by the end of the 10-day campaign, especially with the E-application process we adopted this year in collaboration with Etisalat and Atinad Technologies. We, also, aim to raising Dhs15m towards purchasing the fully equipped mobile clinic that will enable us to provide breast cancer screening throughout the year."

Dr Al Madhi added: "We are proud and highly motivated by what we have accomplished thus far. The Pink Caravan has been able to carry out early breast cancer examinations for thousands of applicants with the aim of controlling this disease and providing treatment to those diagnosed with breast cancer. Our riders and medical team remain willing to work even harder and pursue even greater success, in cooperation with Ministry of Health and the health authorities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, in so that we way live up to the expectations of our leadership and people and further advance the UAE's progress in fighting this disease."

Dr Al Madhi went on to emphasise that Pink Caravan is working to dispel myths and misconceptions that currently surround breast cancer and informing people that the disease is curable when caught in time.

The Pink Caravan's riders, accompanied by mobile clinics will head to Al Ain City, where the mobile medical units will be set up at Al Ain Municipality and Al Salamat Family Park. The Pink Caravan will culminate its journey in Abu Dhabi at Burjeel Hospital, and will hold the closing ceremony at Zayed University on Tuesday, February 12.