DP World, the world’s fourth-largest marine terminal operator, will support two major Aden-based community initiatives, the Ras Morbat Clinic and Training Centre. The two projects are already creating critical medical capacity in a city without enough doctors. However, additional support comes from DP World IT services supplier Dimension Data and Forbes Lux FZE, manufacturer of water filtration and purification systems.

DP World’s contribution to the Ras Morbat Clinic includes underwriting two, two-year training programmes for staff doctors in the area of paediatrics and ophthalmology at the University of Aden, with supplementary four-week annual training at Oasis Hospital in UAE.

Additional DP World funding goes towards construction and operation of the Ras Morbat Institute, training local residents in advanced woodwork and carpentry, along with the skills to run their own businesses.

Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer, DP World said, “The partnership between Ras Morbat staff, DP World employees and suppliers, and Yemeni and UAE medical institutions brings together a wide range of local and international resources and incorporates training and financing mechanisms to make sure the programme will continue well beyond the initial funding. This partnership approach and focus on creating sustainable community initiatives is part of our commitment to the communities in which operate.”

Arif Bin Adhed, Managing Director – DP World Aden, said: “DP World congratulates Ras Morbat Clinic and Vocational Training Centre for its long and deep record of service to the local community. DP World Aden looks forward to a long and fruitful collaboration.”

Support for the Ras Morbat Clinic and Institute is part of DP World’s Responsible Business Programme, facilitating projects globally under four themes: ‘Developing Port Communities’ (job creation), Vocational Training, Transportation Safety, and ‘Moving Lives’, which addresses basic human needs, with a particular emphasis on access to clean water and medical care.

DP World seeks to go “beyond philanthropy” to create initiatives that have the potential to be self-sustaining, involve DP World employees, and cement partnerships with a range of local and international organizations.

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In a study conducted by Dr. Haider M Al Attia, Consultant Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at Al Noor Hospital, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi, tested the density of the femur bone in140 predominantly Arab male patients aged 55 years and over – who were attending hospital for the treatment of other conditions – to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in this group.

The research found that between 22 percent of men aged 55 plus, and 34 percent of those over the age of 64.5 years, were suffering from the bone condition, which increases the risk of bone fracture and the likelihood of disability and death.

“Osteoporosis is a hidden disease in men, but from my own study you can see that the condition could be affecting a significant number of older Arab males in the UAE. The majority of these men will not even know they have the disease and may already have fractures that can lead to serious disability, and an increased risk of death,” Dr. Al Attia warned.

“Despite osteoporosis being more common in women, our study highlights the fact that if you are a male with osteoporosis you are as likely to suffer from a fragility fracture as a female patient. Early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis is essential, because after one fracture there is a five to 10-fold increase in the risk of suffering a second fracture within one year, and a two-fold increase in risk of hip fracture, with a resulting rise in the chance of suffering from disability and death,” Dr Al Attia said.

“Doctors in the UAE have all kinds of medications within accessible reach which they can use to treat osteoporosis, and men should be benefitting from these treatments, as well as women. Osteoporosis should always be investigated when caring for elderly patients, and it is vital that health providers and health educators in the UAE start to raise awareness of this debilitating disease among men,” he added.

However, there are a number of other factors which increase the risk, including treatment with glucocorticoid steroids, anticonvulsants, Vitamin D deficiency, chronic liver and kidney disease, smoking, excess alcohol intake, low levels of androgens, such as testosterone, and low levels of oestrogen.

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Top international health experts will be met in Doha for the inaugural edition of the International Forum for Supporting Health Professional Education in Palestine-Gaza Programme. The event is organized by Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) in collaboration with PIMA, Doctors Worldwide-Turkey, the National Committee for Health Education in Palestine and the Jordanian Committee for Support of the Health Sector in Gaza.

The meeting aims to develop projects for improving health education in Gaza with the goal of reducing the area’s dependency on foreign expertise.

Dr Mohammed Al Ali Almadeed, Secretary-General of QRC and president of the forum said “Our goal has been to help strengthen Gaza’s health sector from within. By empowering health professionals through education and training, we are dedicated to building their capacity rather than adding to their dependence.”

Dr Abdul Latheef Alkhal, Director of Medical Education at HMC said “We will continue to enroll 10 doctors from Palestine annually in the training programme. There is a proposal to take nurses and technicians for short term training programmes.”

Qatar has also plans to send medical experts to Palestine to train health care workers there and establish residency and fellowship training programmes in Palestine that will match international standards, he added.

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H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, UAE Minister of Health, visited Rashid Center for Diabetes and Obesity in Ajman in preparation of its official opening next May. He was accompanied by Dr. Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies, Hamad Taryam Al Shamsi, Director of Ajman Medical Zone, Dr. Enas Kamel Loazi, Director of the Center and other officials.

Minister of Health lauded the efforts of the team members who are working on the final procedures for opening the center which will provide treatment and care for diabetes and obesity patients through following the latest therapeutic and surgical methods.

Then, he called all the center’s team members to follow the latest steps before the full operation of the center for the purpose of making such centers an actual addition to the health care sector in the UAE.

Further, Dr. Mahmood Fikri, Executive Director for Health Policies, Chairman of the Higher National Committee for Fighting Diabetes, explained that the ministry aims for fighting and controlling the spread of diabetes and eliminating its dangers and complications. He pointed out that Rashid Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research has been constructed and equipped to assist diabetes patients not only through direct treatment but also by continuous medical education and obesity surgical interventions.

“The center will be supported to reflect the educational and clinical experiences of the ministry’s doctors and nurses. The Ministry of Health aims for offering various educational programs to raise the quality of services provided to the patients in the ministry’s hospitals and primary health centers. It also educated patients through specialized programs with the participation of specialized nutrition nurses, world-class diabetes specialists and psychologists, who will be able to apply the modern methods of treatment, cover all the needs of patients and educate them an integrated medical team,” he aaded.

He concluded that the ministry is particularly interested in fighting diabetes confirming that Rashid Center will work to improve the care provided to diabetes and obesity patients leading to excellence in all areas of patient care and treatment of their complications, patients’ health education, development of continuous medical learning inside and outside the center through the Swedish administration.

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Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic hosted the Music and Medicine Concert Lecture today March 29, at 1:30 pm in cooperation with Cleveland Clinic Arts and Medicine Institute and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). More than 60 patients, visitors and doctors attended the event which took place in SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The goal of hosting the Music and Medicine Concert at SKMC is to bring the arts and music to the bedside which assists in the healing process. Dr. Tej Maini, CEO of SKMC’s patients and visitors. Studies have shown that music has positively impacted health and wellness throughout time and across cultures.”

“Our patient population at SKMC is multicultural; we receive patients from more than 60 different nationalities”, Dr. Maini added. “Last year’s concert was successful; our patients have enjoyed it and benefited from it, and we intend to present this annually in corporation with the Arts and Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic and ADMAF.”

Kamal Chémali, M.D., Cleveland Clinic physician and a course director of the Concert-Symposium said, “Cleveland Clinic believes that healing should begin the moment a patient walks through our doors. New research shows that the arts are good medicine – providing comfort, elevating the spirit, and affirming life and hope. When used as a therapy, music can provide pain relief and reduce anxiety. The arts, when combined with outstanding patient care, create an environment that encourages healing”.

“The healing, nurturing effects of music and art cannot be overestimated. Through events such as the Music and Medicine Concert Lecture at the Abu Dhabi Festival, we can see for ourselves the happiness, comfort and reassurance music brings to those who are in pain or distress,” said H.E. Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation Founder and Director.

The Arts & Medicine Institute of Cleveland Clinic is the catalyst for integrating the arts in to the practice of medicine at Cleveland Clinic — from art and music therapies to performing arts medicine.

The Institute’s Executive Director, Iva Fattorini, M.D., explains her vision for the Institute as how her new programs are influencing Cleveland Clinic physicians and patients. She said “Our mission is to enhance the Cleveland Clinic experience of patients, visitors and employees through the arts, to practice and investigate the use of the arts in healing, and to build community around the arts, health and medicine.” The Arts & Medicine Institute creates and manages programs that: infuse the medical environment with the energy and vitality of the arts; contribute aesthetic beauty to Cleveland Clinic; expand and establish new programs that pair the arts with medical treatment and discovery; pursue research studies that support the relationship of art with medicine; and encourage arts and cultural activities at Cleveland Clinic.

Prisca Benoit, professor at the Superior Conservatoire of Paris and concert pianist, who performed for the patients at SKMC said, “I am always particularly moved from within when I play piano with doctors for patients. It is a completely different experience than in the concert hall that gives a new meaning and a broader dimension to our mission as musicians. Performing for patients is a truly rewarding experience.”

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Live kidney donation, the most recommended form of donations is regrettably less in the Arab world according to an expert. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), recently, invited Dr Ahmed Adel, Professor of Medicine and Nephrology at Zagazig University and Secretary of the Arab Society of Nephrology, to lecture on the long-term health consequences of kidney ailments and the challenges faced in the Arab world regarding organ donation.

The organ most commonly given by a living donor is the kidney as only one is needed to live a normal life. Worldwide, the highest demand amongst patients requiring organ transplant is for kidneys, followed by liver transplant.

In the Middle East region, there is an estimated average of 200 people per million population (pmp) requiring renal transplants, with a death-rate of 15-20 percent of patients on dialysis. In comparison, up to 20 pmp are in need of a heart transplant, 40 to 50 pmp require liver transplants, and a further 100 pmp need cornea transplants. Due to the scarcity of donors, most patients die before they receive a suitable match.

There are currently few people willing to donate in the Middle East and many patients on the waiting lists for transplants worldwide die before they are able to receive an organ.

Also only a few organs come from cadavers due to the religious and social issues and inadequate social awareness over how to define brain death in comatose patients.

There is also not the legal system in place in the region to allow doctors to take organs from cadavers that can then be given to patients in need. Having a defined legal structure to cover such medical situations is important particularly in cases of disputed brain death.

Dr. Adel added that much official attention is given to shorter term health problems, citing the recent scare with the H1N1 virus, whilst relatively little attention is given to longer-term illnesses that require greater treatment and provide greater strain on health services.

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