The conference will discuss certain topics such as study and evaluation of Muscat 1st Declaration of the 1st Conference in [...]]]>

The Public Authority for Social Insurance (Pasi) and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) joined to organize the 2nd Occupational Health and Safety Conference under the theme ‘Towards a more healthier manpower’ from May 30 to June 1.

The conference will discuss certain topics such as study and evaluation of Muscat 1st Declaration of the 1st Conference in 2006, the latest evaluation techniques of the job site hazards, the early detection of the their health impacts and ways to minimize them.

In addition, it will review the importance of participation of authorities in the light of the global changes in the work environment due to the introduction of new technologies. Seminars will be held on the study and evaluation of health and safety regulations with road traffic accidents becoming the main cause of disability and mortality. The second seminar will be on promoting health and safety by social insurance authorities.

An exhibition will also be held on the sidelines of the conference which will focus on how to raise awareness on health and safety among different sectors, use of new technologies to assess the work environment and how to minimize work hazards among the staff.

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The expansion will contribute in easing pressure on the hospital, as it will be supplied with modern medical equipment, Director of al-Ahmadi Medical Zone Dr. Fahad Al-Fawdari told KUNA.

The project came upon directives of His Highness the Amir [...]]]>

The Amiri expansion project of al-Adan Hospital is opened today with a 240-bed capacity, according to health ministry.

The expansion will contribute in easing pressure on the hospital, as it will be supplied with modern medical equipment, Director of al-Ahmadi Medical Zone Dr. Fahad Al-Fawdari told KUNA.

The project came upon directives of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Further, the expansions include increase of wards for bone, abdominal and children surgeries, as well as an ICU, he noted.

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Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licenses at the UAE Ministry of Health the decision, explained that all the above mentioned [...]]]>

UAE Ministry of Health stated that all pharmaceuticals and medicine companies registered at the Registration and Pharmaceutical Drugs Department will be required to appoint a pharmaceutical vigilance officer in their organizations.

Dr. Amin Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licenses at the UAE Ministry of Health the decision, explained that all the above mentioned companies are requested to appoint a pharmaceutical vigilance officer who must be a doctor, pharmacist, drugs specialist or toxicologist. This officer must have a practical experience in monitoring and following up the reports of drugs side effects, clinical studies and clinical pharmacology.

Dr. Al Amiri said: “All candidates must provide their approved documents including qualifications, experiences, contact information, fax, mobile, phone and email addresses. We addressed all pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical companies to provide their pharmaceutical vigilance and risk management plans at the time of registration or renewal.

The plans include medical products, pharmaceuticals, innovative pharmaceutical products containing active substances registered for the first time, medium or high risk products in addition to other products that have been included in previous circulars by the Ministry of Health or international drugs control association in terms of their safety and side effects”. Dr. Al Amiri explained that the decision demanded all the companies to provide the ministry with an updated safety list of their pharmaceutical and medical products. Such reports must include a yearly detailed report of the medical products that have been registered between 6 months-1 year, an annual record of the products that have been registered between 1-3 years and a progress report every 3 years for the products that have been registered for more than 3 years.

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Recent studies show that more than half of the population in the Gulf states suffers from abnormal [...]]]>

The first joint meeting between the Emirates Cardiac Society and the American College of Cardiology formed the basis of the growing incidence of heart diseases, which is ranked as the number one cause of death in the Gulf States.

Recent studies show that more than half of the population in the Gulf states suffers from abnormal cholesterol levels, a quarter has high blood pressure and 15 -25 per cent have diabetes. These numbers coupled with a rapid increase in the rate of obesity adds up to alarming statistics.

The joint meeting hosted several distinguished doctors from the region and from the American College of Cardiology who delivered a series of informative lectures about various aspects of cardiovascular health.

The meeting began with the AstraZeneca Satellite Symposium. The topics discussed the “CEPHEUS” research project and the future of cardiovascular disease prevention.

“CEPHEUS” is a large research program involving 5,300 patients across the Gulf who are currently treated for high cholesterol levels. The project was launched last November by the Emirates Cardiac Society in collaboration with AstraZeneca, an Anglo/Swedish biopharmaceutical company, which was also the part sponsor of the joint meeting. The main aim of this project is to monitor the percentage of patients who reach their cholesterol level treatment goal while taking cholesterol lowering medications.

“We are keen to facilitate joint initiatives between professional organizations and believe that exchange of knowledge is key to improving the quality of cardiac care,” said Tarek Rabah, President of AstraZeneca Gulf.

Dr. Anthony N. DeMaria, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology stressed on the increasing burden of heart diseases worldwide. “In India, more people are dying from atherosclerosis of heart disease than of infectious diseases,” he pointed out.

There were also sessions on cardiac infarction and treatment, cholesterol management guidelines and general cardiology conducted as part of the meeting.

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“Obesity has become one of the major epidemics with the latest statistics from World Health Organization showing one billion people as obese [...]]]>

The Supreme Council for Health recently saw the conclusion of “Healthy Steps to Doha” programme, initiated in association with Supreme Education Council (SEC) to help increase health awareness and combat child obesity in schools.

“Obesity has become one of the major epidemics with the latest statistics from World Health Organization showing one billion people as obese and childhood obesity tripling over the last 30 years. Worldwide, approximately 22 million children under the age of five are obese,” said H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Public Health and General Secretary of the SCH.

“Qatar strives to provide all the possibilities and means to protect public health by promoting various programmes, improving supervision of food and medicine, and developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of health and dissemination of sound and effective practices,” the minister said. The healthy steps programme in Qatar was implemented in collaboration with a New York-based programme “Healthy Steps to Albany. The teams from Abu Obaida Independent Preparatory School, Rouqaya Preparatory School and Al Jazeera Academy underwent rigorous health education lectures, healthy cooking demonstrations and physical activities and games which were converted into steps around Doha.

The programme was aimed at supporting teachers to teach students about nutrition science and healthy food. It encouraged students to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Parents were also encouraged to follow suit and support their children in living better and healthier lifestyles.

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The campaign addressed weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Free check ups and consultations were offered by [...]]]>

The fourth and last phase of Dubai Municipality’s public health campaign under the slogan “Together for a healthier lifestyle” was held in the jogging track of Jumeirah Open Beach recently.

The campaign addressed weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Free check ups and consultations were offered by the medical staff of the Clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department of the Municipality in collaboration with doctors and specialists from outside the Municipality. Doctors advised the public on the benefits of walking regularly during the campaign, which was supported by Almarai.

The campaign was mainly organized to create awareness among the public on the diseases resulting from the pressure of modern life, and promote the health services provided by the Municipality as well as promoting the walking tracks and increasing the number of visitors to these facilities.

Besides, the campaign was aimed at establishing an initial database on the types and levels of chronic diseases among the members of the community, and having a positive interaction with them to understand their needs regarding Municipality services, in addition to conducting tests for sugar, pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, and to provide medical advice.

During the first phase of the campaign at Al Khawaneej a total of 150 people participated, 90 men and 60 women. Out of these 80% people were practicing walking and some men were also playing football. The tests conducted during the campaign revealed that 20 people (13.3%) were having high blood pressure and 28 people (18.6%) were reported with high blood sugar and 60 people (40%) with high cholesterol.

The second phase of the campaign held at Safa Park saw the participation of 211 people, 78% men and 21% women. Out of these 75% people were found to be practicing walking. The tests conducted among the participants revealed that 20% were having high cholesterol, 14% people with high blood sugar and about 19% with high blood pressure.

The third phase the campaign at Al Mamzar Park has resulted 311 practitioners, 236 males and 65 females. Out of these 234 people were found to be practicing walking, 124 people were found having high blood pressure and 131 people with high blood sugar.

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” With a limited public health system in place and poor underlying health conditions, GCC regulators need to prioritise the needs of patients” said Adams. ”Quality versus cost [...]]]>

As GHI moves into its second phase of acquisitions, CEO Mark Adams calls for healthcare regulators to drive quality for a more patient-centered approach and increased public benefit.

” With a limited public health system in place and poor underlying health conditions, GCC regulators need to prioritise the needs of patients” said Adams. ”Quality versus cost is an ongoing conundrum in the healthcare sector but while the market itself does not want to pay for quality it is a necessity that needs to be driven by those in a regulatory capacity. ”

GHI, which is wholly owned by Global Capital ManagementGlobal Capital ManagementLoading… Kuwait, owns and operates the regional Medsol network of fourteen pathology laboratories. Medsol has recently invested in the region of 130,000 AED per lab on international quality assurance and accreditation standards. GHI is committed to significant investment in strategic GCC healthcare assets during 2010.

Amongst his recommendations for innovation at the Abu Dhabi summit, Adams championed the establishment of suitable cancer networks, rehabilitation and cardiac services, mobile clinics, greater health education, respite and hospice care. He added; ”we are seeing emerging examples of International ‘Best Practice’ in the region from those such as John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, City Hospital and Emaar Healthcare; the challenge now is to broaden that benchmark to reach more patients. ”

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// ]]> At a meeting with his Yemeni counterpart Abdul Karim Rase’, Al Fayez said health cooperation increased tangibly in the last few years, especially [...]]]>

Minister of Health Nayef Al Fayez said Jordan puts its expertise in health insurance, medical engineering and blood banks at the services of Yemen.

At a meeting with his Yemeni counterpart Abdul Karim Rase’, Al Fayez said health cooperation increased tangibly in the last few years, especially in training Yemeni health staff and receiving patients for treatment in the Kingdom.

The visiting Yemeni official said his visit aims to bolster cooperation and coordination in health issues.

He noted Jordan’s advanced experiment in the field of health insurance, expressing his country’s keenness to benefit from Jordan’s expertise.

More than 50,000 Yemeni patients visit Jordan for treatment every year, the minister said, expecting the number to increase in the coming few years.

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