United Arab Emirates, Dubai, October 30, 2011: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in line with its public health initiatives is conducting anti-tobacco initiatives through its cessation clinics and campaigns.

Dr Hanan Obaid, Head of Community Health Services Programs Section at the DHA said, “Through our smoking awareness campaigns which we have conducted in 2010 and this year, we realised that there is an urgent need to create regular community awareness activities with regard to tobacco use because of the significant number of youngsters using tobacco. They are our productive population and are at a high risk of developing diseases caused by long-term use of tobacco.”

Dr Hanan said in 2010, the primary healthcare section of the DHA conducted 98 anti-smoking campaigns targeting 6,221 people across various schools, colleges, malls, government institutions as well as sports clubs.

From the data collected and analysed, Obaid said that there is a need to reach out to the schools in Dubai. She said, “We screened 2,457 students in Dubai schools both Government and private schools. We found the prevalence of tobacco use among school students in Dubai is 14.6% while the percentage of passive smoking among school children is 29.1%. These are children under the age of 20 using tobacco, so we can only imagine the long term health complications that they are at a risk of developing.”

In terms of the type of tobacco used, Obaid said, 11.2 per cent used cigarettes, 2.2 per cent used Shisha, 1.9 per cent used the pipe, 0.8 per cent used cigar and 0.8 per cent used chewed tobacco.

She said adolescents are a high risk group and therefore the authority plans to visit several schools through its anti-smoking initiative in 2012. “We have conducted several campaigns in the past across schools in Dubai, however, we see the need to regularly reach out to children and adolescents and we plan to implement this policy in 2012.

She said the target age group of the campaign will be children and adolescents from the age group of 12- 21 who are more prone to using tobacco as a method of relieving stress. “We aim to reach out to 80,000 students over a period of six months. We are planning the logistics of the project at the moment and will implement it shortly.”

Hanan said that the DHA has two smoking cession clinics one of which is located in Rashid Hospital and the other one is in the Al Twar Health centre. For UAE nationals it is free of cost and for non-nationals the fee is nominal. The Smoking Cessation Clinic at Al Twar provides cessation programs and counselling every Thursday and the clinic in Rashid Hospital provides counselling provides counselling for patients once they book an appointment.

Dr Obaid said that DHA has plans to open another cessation clinic before the end of this year.

The Al Twar Smoking Cessation Clinic numbers are  04- 2612114 and 04-5022101.

‘Taking Your Medicine during Ramadan’ and ‘A Healthy Ramadan’ campaigns aim at raising awareness on healthy lifestyle steps-to-follow during the Holy month

Abu Dhabi, 28 July 2011

Taking Your Medicine During Ramadan -

SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, has announced the launch of two awareness campaigns for the Holy month of Ramadan. The campaigns’ goals are to reach out to the general public about the importance of monitoring health and regulating medicine intake during the Holy month and to ensure optimal lifestyle benefits during fasting.

The first campaign, ‘Taking Your Medicine during Ramadan’, focuses on balancing your desire to fast with your medical needs during Ramadan. The campaign highlights four areas of interest, offering fasting tips for diabetic patients, individuals with heart disease, pregnant women, and children.

“Ramadan can offer a number of health benefits, especially when people monitor their dietary intake and ensure the maintenance of any medication regimens they are on,” said Mr. Khalifa Al Ketbi, Deputy Chief of Operations Division at SEHA. “There are a number of precautions that can be taken to avoid common symptoms and issues, and SEHA is proactively reaching out to ensure that everyone can observe Ramadan in the healthiest way possible. The campaigns launched will reach the majority of Abu Dhabi people, and with the cooperation of SEHA’s hospitals, will ensure a heightened interaction with the patients to deliver the main messages of those campaigns.”

The second campaign, ‘A Healthy Ramadan’, revolves around a charismatic young cartoon character known as ‘Saeed’. Saeed, who dispenses health tips to friends and family and encourages a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan, is set to appear and converse with the public through a number of channels, including print, radio and television spots.

Salama Al Mazrouei, Senior Marketing Specialist said, “Healthy lifestyles are important for a better quality of life, and we are hoping that ‘Saeed’ will be able to communicate with a diversity of audiences in a way that appeals to them. The characteristics of ‘Saeed’ and the healthy lifestyle that he promotes will be key in the audiences’ reaction and interaction with the messages that he will deliver.”

In addition, all the hospitals under the SEHA ambit have revealed their own awareness activities lined up during the Holy Month of Ramadan. These include community outreach programmes and health hotlines where people can find advice on dosage and medicine scheduling to facilitate fasting. The hospitals will also focus on social activities, meals distribution and marketing several tips and advices through an array of communication tactics.

“SEHA is committed to offering world class healthcare and ensuring that everyone can enjoy the spirit of Ramadan in the best health possible. We’re reaching out to the community to ensure that healthcare needs are met during this holy and spiritual month, and we wish everyone a happy – and healthy- Ramadan,” Al Mazrouei concluded.

Scientific seminars for healthcare professionals conducted in several hospitals in Riyadh

May 29, 2011

Al Rabie Saudi Foods has announced that it recently organized successful scientific health education seminars in many hospitals to inform and educate healthcare professionals including doctors, health educators and dietitians about soya foods. The information presented in the seminars explained the biological effect of soya foods in reducing the risk of many chronic diseases. Soya foods are one of the functional and anti-inflammatory foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to certain physiologically active components.

Dr. Mona Sanan, Consultant for Health & Nutrition Services at Al Rabie, said: “Soya foods provide excellent nutrition, and soya beans are a good source of folic acid and other B vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium & potassium. Soya food is also a good source for fibers. With its unique nutritional composition, soya is a vital component in a balanced and healthy diet.”

The Iso-flavones, complex molecules found in soybeans, have proven to have positive effects that could lead to prevention of coronary heart diseases. The inclusion of 25 grams of soy protein per day in our diet is recommended by FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Moreover, in recent studies soya protein was shown to reduce risk of heart diseases. Soya food contain omega 3, the unsaturated fatty acids that has been proven to aid specifically in cardiovascular health.

Further, soya foods can also help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis that is considered to be a major health problem worldwide with increasing treatment costs. Recent studies have shown that diets high in plant protein tend to reduce bone breakdown and may increase the rate of calcium absorption and bone density. Soya contains the complete plant protein that supports bone formation and minimizes bone loss, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis
“Obesity is another serious concern’’ & the serious health consequences that obesity causes. The growing evidence shows that overweight & obese persons are more likely to develop health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes.

As food and beverage industry leaders, have an obligation to tackle with the support of the community. In this regard we are committed to continuously offer to the market healthy foods that will help to minimize obesity rate that will further lead with time to reduce risk of diseases related to obesity . However, we must keep in mind the other factors involved, such as lowering our fat intake, eating more fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly. We hope to meet and exceed our consumers’ expectations,” Dr. Sanan concluded.

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Company launched recently in the Saudi market the soya drink ‘’Al Rabie Joya ‘’

Upcoming facility expansions, public-education initiatives, and a focus on specialized care will take center stage as collective SEHA HealthSystem presents strategy for future

Abu Dhabi, October 16, 2010:  Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA) has revealed a series of educational campaigns to engage communities from across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during a robust exhibition agenda at this year’s Abu Dhabi Medical Congress (ADMC), being held now from October 17 – 19 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.  SEHA is the Official Partner of the annual event for the second year in a row, and is working under the theme “Your Healthcare Partner for Life” as they showcase their plans to advance the emirate’s public healthcare system through improved customer care.  

SEHA’s participation has included representatives from every one of its individual healthcare entities, including those from: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Corniche Hospital, Mafraq Hospital, Al Rahba Hospital, Al Ain Hospital, Tawam Hospital, Ambulatory Healthcare Services, and the six Al Gharbia Region Hospitals. 

“It is the third year SEHA has participated in this event, which we have found to be an ideal platform for discussing the unique healthcare opportunities within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” says Carl Stanifer, CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC.  “Our mission is to continuously improve customer care to recognized international standards, and we have made significant progress these past three years towards our goal.”

SEHA has been bringing to Abu Dhabi the latest innovations from the global healthcare practice through partnerships with internationally recognized leaders in healthcare like Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Bumrungrad, VAMED, and Medical University of Vienna.  “We are anxious to meet with the press and the public to show how we are working to create a public healthcare system of the highest international standard,” adds Stanifer.

Among the SEHA representatives attending Sunday’s opening ceremony are H.E. Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, Chairman of SEHA, Carl Stanifer, CEO, Clyde Eder, COO, and Mohamed Al Hameli, Chief Officer of Support Services Division at SEHA.  This group—in addition to a number of CEOs from individual SEHA hospitals and clinics—will be taking a preliminary tour of the exhibition during the first day, and will be on hand as they end their visit at the SEHA exhibition stand (Hall 3 Stand B10).

Updates on SEHA’s most recent projects are being distributed by staff members through a variety of printed materials and verbal briefs within the company’s welcoming “roundtable” areas.  This includes updates on current construction and refurbishment projects like the new Al Ain Hospital and new Mafraq Hospital; a new Dialysis Treatment Facility near Mafraq Hospital; as well as a massive remodeling program in all six of SEHA’s facilities in Al Gharbia.

SEHA will also use ADMC 2010 as a platform for introducing a new public education campaign reinforcing the importance of one of the simplest methods of preventing infection - hand washing.  Originally started at Mafraq Hospital, SEHA is proposing a launch of the Mafraq “Clean Hands Save Lives” campaign and its mascot—Habib the Hand—throughout all of the SEHA HealthSystem facilities in the coming year.   The program is designed to attract and engage children while communicating the benefits of hand hygiene to the greater community.

“One of our key ambitions this year is to help SEHA to continue developing the many specialty services that the emirate requires,” comments John Nickens, CEO of Mafraq Hospital.  “SEHA’s vision for the future is a comprehensive network of clinical centers of excellence.  Mafraq Hospital offers specialty surgical care in areas like ENT and orthopedics, while locations such as Corniche Hospital—a regional referral center for maternity care—and Tawam Hospital—offering unique cancer diagnosis and treatment services—really bring that vision to life.  All of SEHA’s individual facilities, from SKMC to Al Rahba Hospital, Al Ain Hospital to our facilities in Al Gharbia, bring something exceptional to the market.  We are excited to be part of communicating those advancements during this year’s ADMC event.” 

SEHA’s Ambulatory Healthcare Services for example, will have on display one of its three new mobile clinics, a 20-meter facility on wheels that travels the emirate serving remote locations on a routine basis.  Tawam Hospital will also have one of its Mobile Mammography Vans on site providing visitors with free screenings for the second consecutive year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Bringing together leading international healthcare companies, the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress 2010 showcases the latest products and services within four interactive platforms.  Each of these areas attract a range of manufactures, dealers and service providers specializing in Emergency Services, Primary Healthcare, Patient Safety, and Rehabilitation & Physical Medicine.  In addition to being an Official Sponsor of ADMC 2010, SEHA is also one of the Official Sponsors of the Primary Healthcare Congress.

“Through our presence at ADMC 2010, we are excited to share our vision for the future while boosting the overall wellbeing of the entire Abu Dhabi community,” adds Dr. Ali Al Obaidli, Chief Clinical Officer for SEHA.  “The fact that ADMC is a geographically-focused event encourages greater participation from local, community organizations, and it is this kind of dialogue that will bring greater value to our customers and their families.”

SEHA reports seeing some 5 million patients annually, retaining a market share of nearly 80% of Abu Dhabi’s inpatient admissions and about 60% of its outpatient visits.  The company operates a total of 12 hospitals, 62 ambulatory and primary healthcare clinics, and two blood banks in the emirate.

The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about how the healthcare landscape of Abu Dhabi is changing.  Icons like Habib the Hand for example, will be at the SEHA stand every day from 10am – noon and from 2pm - 3:30pm to greet youngsters and offer tips on staying healthy.

There will be over two hundred speakers at this year’s event, with representatives from some of the most renowned institutions in the world such as Johns Hopkins Medicine International and Cleveland Clinic, among many others.

Courtesy of adage.com What marketing campaigns form the last fifty years do you remember the most? Probably only a few, and we bet that most of them are the ones that touched your heart and moved you emotionally. It’s not all about making money, and these campaigns show that the most memorable work is done not for the company, but for the public.

1. American Express Statue of Liberty Restoration (1983): During a three-month period, American Express offered to contribute 1 cent for each card transaction and $1 for each new card issued. The campaign raised $1.7 million to restore the statue and Ellis Island.

2. Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives (1999 to present): Consumers were asked to save and mail in millions of sticky lids to raise 10 cents each to support Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer patient. To date it has raised more than $26 million.

3. Dove Campaign for Real Beauty (2004 to present): Unilever developed the Dove Self-Esteem Fund and hopes to reach 5 million young women with information on positive body image by the end of 2010.

4. 1,000 Playgrounds in 1,000 Days (2005 to 2008): The Home Depot and KaBOOM took employee volunteerism to build great places for kids to play within walking distance of their homes.

5. The Members Project (2007 to 2008): American Express pioneered the use of social media to direct corporate giving and buttressed brand appreciation with this effort. Over two years it gave away $4.5 million, including top winners the Alzheimer’s Association and U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

6. Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity (2004 to 2007): The appliance maker transformed its previously little-known commitment to CSR by providing a refrigerator to each Habitat for Humanity home built in the U.S.

7. Lee National Denim Day (1996 to the present): Lee, a traditonal male brand, embraced the breast cancer cause by empowering consumers to organize workplace drives at which employees contributed $5 for the right to wear jeans to work on the first Friday in October. Over 13 years, the program has raised nearly $75 million for breast cancer research and advocacy.

8. Product (Red) (2006 to the present): With their privately held company, Bono and Bobby Shriver created a cause marketing campaign (RED). They licensed the brand to GAP, Apple, Armani and many other retailers. (RED) has raised more than $140 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

9. Live Strong Bracelet (2004 to present): Nike and Lance Armstrong Foundation first came up with the idea to raise funds and awareness to super cyclist’s cancer by yellow rubber bands.

Separate campaigns held by Tawam Hospital and UAE University

Bawadi Mall, one of the prominent shopping centers in Al Ain and one of the newest shopping centers in the UAE, Read the full story