DUBAI — Figures released from three recent health campaigns have revealed an encouraging appetite for information from UAE residents on how to improve their personal health.
The ‘No Tobacco’ campaign and ‘Summer Wellness and World Heart Day’ commemorations proved to be extremely popular with residents; thousands of whom attended the activities for free health checks and advice.
One of the organisers behind the programmes said this increasing interest in wellbeing can only benefit the UAE and will add to the success of the forthcoming ‘Know Diabetes’ campaign, which starts on November 1 and commemorates the November 14 World Diabetes Day. “The response that we have had from the public to our recent health initiatives has been overwhelming and this can only be a good thing for the UAE,” said Dr Prem Jagyasi, CEO and MD, ExHealth.
The ‘No Tobacco’ Campaign commenced on May 31 with an aim to help UAE smokers stub out their deadly habit for good. As well as maintaining a presence at popular malls across the country, the health initiative visited around 40 corporate institutions encouraging nicotine addicts to pack in the cigarettes and tobacco habits.
Approximately 6,000 smokers pledged to quit their harmful habit, with those making the commitment entitled to receive discounted treatment at Novartis smoking cessation centres throughout the UAE.
“Giving up smoking is without doubt the single most effective thing a person can do to improve health,” said Dr Jagyasi. “With the increased crackdown on smoking in public places and other government interventions to prevent tobacco consumption, there is a genuine recognition that avoiding all types of smoking – active and passive – is something that is vital to maintain good health,” he added.
The Summer Wellness 2010’ drive, which commenced on June 17 in conjunction with the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) tackled the vital subject of how to remain healthy during the region’s prolonged hot and humid season.
The event attracted around 20,500 visitors to its stands throughout the duration of DSF.
The United Nations ‘World Heart Day’ is commemorated every last Sunday in September and this year, the UAE marked the occasion by hosting events that took place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Part of the programme involved sending out baskets of apples to corporate institutions across the emirates to enhance the ‘Workplace Wellness’ theme of World Heart Day 2010.