13,000 Emiratis get Weqaya health reports

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According to Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, Head of the Customer Service and Corporate Communications Department at the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAADHAAD), all 180,000 Weqaya report cards will be dispatched in the next two months together with the renewed Thiqa health cards through Daman.

The Weqaya (precaution) screening programme commenced in April 2008 in response to the increase in cardiovascular problems in Abu Dhabi's Emirati population.

HAADHAAD

"The rapid modernisation of our lifestyles in Abu Dhabi has been detrimental to our health. We now walk far less, eat more calorie-dense foods and smoking has remained high with increasing use of cigarettes, shisha and miswak (paan) by our younger population. Together, these have led to high rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and other risk factors which can result in heart attacks and strokes," said Dr Cother Hajat, section head of Public Health Programme at HAADHAAD.

Results are displayed on the report card as a 'traffic light indicator' -- green for normal, amber for moderate risk and red for high risk. The report card will also give advice on how to take action against these potentially life-threatening disorders and if necessary to seek medical advice.

The cards are sent out with a booklet that contains information on how to lead a healthy life, including diet, physical activity and smoking cessation. In addition, the HAADHAAD has also launched an interactive website, www.weqaya.ae, where individuals can securely look at their personalised healthcare reports online as well as obtain advice on improving their health. The HAADHAAD has also set up a Weqaya helpline (80061116) for those who want to book an appointment with a doctor.

"Risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol can often be asymptomatic, that is we don't know that we have them for many years until they result in a heart attack. By then, it is too late. We would like people to take action earlier on," Dr Hajat said.

HAADHAAD

Last academic year, the HAADHAAD introduced the mandatory screening at all public schools in the emirate for the child's BMI (body mass index) and vision.

Approximately, 126,000 students of the public schools were screened. Students who fall below five percentile are considered underweight, those above 85 are at risk of being overweight and those above 95 are overweight, said Dr Jennifer Moore, section head of the Family and School Health at HAADHAAD.

Over 280 school nurses in Abu Dhabi underwent training for the BMI screening and referral process.

For the next academic year, Dr Moore said the HAADHAAD will implement a 'comprehensive school health programme' to include all 163,000 students from the private schools. Under the programme, students will be screened yearly for their hearing levels, and physical and dental health and complete blood count (to look for anaemia), in addition to the mandatory BMI and vision tests.

By Olivia Olarte

© Khaleej Times 2010