Sharjah's Health Promotion announces its initiatives

Sharjah:

The Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah has announced the initiatives it will organize throughout the “Year of Tolerance,” in participation with the related health promoting societies at the council, which aim to strengthen Sharjah's efforts to become the first healthy city in the region and the world.

The initiatives of the department and the related health promotion societies will focus on enhancing the Emirate's efforts in raising awareness on various diseases and ways of preventing them, as well as encouraging members of the community to adopt a healthy lifestyle that helps to maintain their health and happiness.

The department’s initiatives were announced during a press conference that was held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah. The press conference was attended by HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department; and heads and board members of the related health promoting societies. The event was also attended by representatives of partner institutions and the media, as well as a number of the department’s employees and volunteers.

HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department, stated that the Department is keen to ensure that the initiatives it organizes help to enhance the health of members of the community, which contributes to improving the quality of healthcare in the Emirate of Sharjah. She added that this comes as a direct translation to the vision of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who placed the health of the emirate’s citizens and residents at the top of Sharjah’s social and developmental agenda.

Saif expressed her thanks and gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affair, for her unlimited support to the projects and initiatives organized by the Health Promotion Department. She pointed out that the department has made sure that its initiatives are in harmony with the spirit of the “Year of Tolerance,” which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. She added that this represents an affirmation of the department’s commitment to the principles of tolerance and harmony with all cultures residing in the UAE, as well as its keenness to realize the highest ideals of humanity and equality among all human beings.

Following a short film about the Health Promotion Department and the related health promoting societies, the initiatives of the department and the related societies for the year were reviewed. The initiatives include many field events and activities, as well as the participation of the department in local and international events and exhibitions in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Iman Turki, Head of Programs at Health Promotion Department, reviewed the main programs that will be organized by the Department during the year, including the "Healthy Schools" initiative, which begins on March 4 and continues until the end of the year. The "Healthy Schools" initiative will be held in cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan, the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Sharjah Education Council. Other initiatives will include the "Ramadan" initiative held under the slogan "Health Crescent," and the "health and tourism" campaign, which will be held from July until August and will focus on nutrition by cooperating and partnering with various restaurants and cafes in the Emirate. The department will also organize the "Sahbati" initiative, in cooperation with the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah, and the “My Health” annual conference, the largest event of its kind organized by the department on an annual basis, as well as many other exhibitions, festivals and media awareness programs.

Khawla Al Haj, Head of the Friends for Diabetes Society, addressed the society’s main agenda during the “Year of Tolerance,” which focuses on three major initiatives: “The Blue Circle,” "Superhero Saeed," and "Prevention and Coexistence." All 3 initiatives focus on raising awareness on Diabetes and ways of preventing it, as well as providing healthcare for Diabetes patients, following up with those who are newly diagnosed, and educating young students that attend schools in the Emirate of Sharjah on diabetes, which will be achieved by providing free consultations, awareness workshops and various other events.

Mona Al-Hawai, a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Kidney Patients Society, showcased the society’s initiatives for the current year. The most important of these is the initiative for the International Day of Kidneys, which will be held in March and will include a variety of activities such as the launch of a competition on social networking sites, the production of an awareness film, and the organization of visits to patients. Other initiatives include the "My Health in Ramadan" initiative, which aims to educate employees on how to maintain blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and the "Water Campaign" initiative that aims to raise awareness on the importance of both water and sports in preserving kidney health.

Waheeda Abdul Aziz, Head of the Friends of Arthritis Patients Society, discussed the society’s most important initiatives for the year, which includes the society’s 7th marathon. The marathon, which will be held on February 23, aims to raise awareness on Arthritis and its symptoms and ways of treatment, as well as providing moral and financial support to arthritis patients, and encouraging physical activity and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

The Friends of Arthritis Patients Society includes other initiatives such as the "One Hour Walk" event, in addition to launching a short film competition in February to raise awareness, and organizing a health awareness conference. The society will also organize the “Steps towards hope” forum in April, in addition to the "Summer Campaign" and the "International Day of Joints” initiative in October, which will witness the launch of a smart card for arthritis patients.

Eng. Khawla Al Noman, Head of Breastfeeding Friends Society, also discussed the most important activities of the society for the year, which includes organizing a special training program on breastfeeding, and a ceremony honouring nursing mothers who breastfed their babies for two full years or more in order to encourage breastfeeding, in addition to holding events for the World Breastfeeding Week in August. The Society will also organize, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health and Prevention for the National Breastfeeding Week, various events in different parts of the country during the month of November to celebrate the National Breastfeeding Week.

The society will also organize monthly meetings for mothers and employees to raise their awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, as well as to provide advice on the correct practices for mothers and children, in addition to holding a series of lectures and courses that are provided to volunteers and breastfeeding guides on different topics, and organizing an annual ceremony to honour the supporters and sponsors of the society’s activities and programs.

Amal Almazmi, Head of Corporate Excellence at the Friends of Cancer Patients Society, presented the initiatives of the society during the “Year of Tolerance,” which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the society’s inception. The initiatives include the “Cervical Cancer Forum,” which attracts international experts to discuss the latest developments in the global fight against cervical cancer. The society will participate in the “Cancer Prevention Forum,” which will be organized by the Egyptian Association for Supporting Cancer Patients in February at the Egyptian capital of Cairo. The society will also participate in the Gulf Cancer Awareness Campaign, which will launch under the slogan "40% protection equivalent to 40% cure" during the first week of February, coinciding with the World Cancer Day.

The Society will launch the 9th edition of the "Pink Caravan" initiative for 7 days from February 23 to March 1, which will raise awareness on the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The Society will organize the "Non-communicable Diseases Forum for Children" in March in Sharjah, along with the 7th edition of the "I deserve Life" campaign during the holy month of Ramadan. The society will also participate in both the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and it will launch a number of other annual initiatives, including the "fun vehicle" initiative, and the "Global Colour” Initiative, which aims to enhance the confidence of women with cancer by focusing on the importance of both their external appearance and their internal health.

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© Press Release 2019