As Part of the MoI Initiative

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, July 13th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

During the MoI Ramadan Council, organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Interior, the participants confirmed that the UAE, following the directives of the higher leadership, has provided inclusive and basic high-quality medical services for citizens and residents in accordance with the best international health standards. The council was hosted by H.E. Salem Saif Al Kaabi, Director General of Dar Zayed for Family Care in his home in Al Foah, located in Al Ain.

The speakers stressed the importance of spreading a health culture among community members and educating them about proper methods of nutrition. They also called for correcting the many misconceptions and unhealthy behaviors of the public and to encourage better health habits that may increase the opportunities of enjoying a better life, improve primary health care in order to handle the multifarious aspects of chronic diseases, and activate the role of the family physician.

Additionally, the speakers praised the competent authorities’ keenness to maintain the quality of the health system. They also hailed their proactive role in supporting modern medical research, and the development of effective, new methods for fighting the diseases that afflict citizens, especially prevalent and inherited ailments.

Brigadier Dr. Ali Singel, Head of the Medical Services Department at Dubai Police, moderated the council that elaborated on the topic of ‘United in Prosperity: Health Consequences of Social Behavior.’ Praising the Ramadan councils that are organized by the Law Respect Culture Bureau, Brigadier Dr. Singel said, “These councils are a platform for proposing ideas and viewpoints that help strengthen and fortify cooperation between the MoI and social institutions in the UAE.”

Brigadier Dr. Singel also indicated that the well-being and development of a society depends on many factors and health is the most essential factor. “Healthy individuals have a greater capacity for giving and contributing to the development of society,” he noted.

In his opening speech, H.E. Al Kaabi extended his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for the initiatives launched by the MoI. He also praised the MoI’s idea of organizing Ramadan councils across the country. He said, “These innovative councils advance concepts that activate the process of communication between citizens and decision-makers in the UAE and enable citizens to express their views and ideas about these topics openly and with full transparency.”

Furthermore, he noted that the Ramadan councils held during the holy month of Ramadan play a vital and active role in the communication and convergence between the members of the community during the holy month. H.E. Al Kaabi said, “These councils are an original approach to a deeply rooted habit that has historical value in societal traditions and customs. They have been an instrument in reuniting community members of all ages and statuses in which to discuss issues relating to the affairs of the community in all areas.”

Dr. Juma’a Al Kaabi, Associate Professor of Medicine and Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, and Head of Internal Medicine Department at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, delivered a speech that celebrated the Ramadan councils that have been organized by the MOI for covering many essential topics that discuss concerns within the Emirati society. Dr. Al Kaabi also elaborated on many of the chronic diseases some citizens suffer from, such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. He also explained the symptoms of these diseases and treatment methods.

He said that we need to generate more interest in primary healthcare through medical staff that are specialized in primary healthcare and can respond positively and effectively to chronic diseases. Dr. Juma’a presented many statistics related to health and disease, hypertension, and diabetes, referring to the spread of these diseases among different age groups in the community.

Colonel Ali Salem Al Badi, Acting Director of the Social Support Centers Department at the Ministry of Interior pointed to several methods of bringing happiness to people, stressing the importance of psychological health and that individuals should take more care to positively maintain this aspect. He explained that the rituals given by Allah Almighty for worship are the things that bring the most happiness, for example: the continuous invocation to Allah, charity for the less-fortunate, travel, and choosing good company.

Dr. Mahmoud Yassin, a natural treatment specialist, spoke about the importance of schools educating children about healthy behavior. He referred to some diseases that afflict children due to malnutrition and from the misuse of computers and video games where they sit in front of these gadgets for an unhealthy amount of time.

Mohamed Ali Al Nuaimi pointed out the need to raise family awareness in all health aspects. This is especially essential for children in regards to the ways they are nourished and taught how to positively use electronics.

Mohamed Al Dahmani spoke about the most prominent pre-existing diseases and how to treat them with conventional methods. He pointed out that the medical and health services in the country have developed dramatically over the last four decades and treatment has become available for everyone inside and outside of the country.

Ahmed Abdullah Al Jabri, Director of Strategic Planning, Department of Municipal Affairs, Al Ain Municipality, spoke about the unhealthy patterns of advertisements from a nutritional viewpoint. He explained that advertising companies are using famous symbols and celebrities to promote their products. He said that the public should be knowledgeable and informed about the importance of proper diet so as not to be misled by deceptive ads that seek to gain financial profit only.

Mohammed Al Hadadi, Director of Al Ain Center for Care and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities, spoke about the aspects of an individual’s psychological, mental, and physical health, and family’s role in creating a healthy generation. This can be done through a variety of methods, the most important being the medical examination before marriage and for parents to be role models by eating healthily and encouraging children to adopt positive eating habits. Al Hadadi also spoke about the role of schools in providing proper food and healthy meals to students in addition to the role of society and its institutions in spreading health awareness.

For his part Salem Omar Al Hamed, Managing Director at Al Foah Date Company, stressed the importance of educating community members about healthy behaviors that will preserve their health. He presented a number of suggestions that contribute to reducing and decreasing health expenditures.

Al Hamed concluded by reiterating that medical staff specialized in primary healthcare respond positively and effectively to chronic diseases, and by enabling the role of family physician primary healthcare will continuously improve in order to deal with chronic diseases and their multifarious aspects. He also referred to the importance of raising family awareness in all health aspects, especially for children, regarding their methods of nutrition and in fostering positive behaviors when using electronics. Al Hamad stated that society and institutions also have an important role in spreading health awareness and providing students with healthy meals and the means for a proper diet.

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

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