Hotline to guide mothers on breastfeeding

The Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) will soon set up a hotline to guide mothers on breastfeeding, according to a health official.

"The ratio of breastfeeding is extremely low among UAE national women in the country. To encourage women to opt for this natural method rather than bottle feeding their babies, we will be providing this facility to them soon," said Dr Fatima Sultan Al Olma, head of the Mother and Babycare Unit at Dohms, explaining the reason behind the need to set up such clinics in the emirate.

She also explained that the hotline was part of the phased implementation of the baby-friendly clinics initiative in PHCs around the emirate.

"The objective of the project is to spread health awareness among mothers about pregnancy, breastfeeding and nutrition suitable for children at different stages of their lives," she said.

The project has already been implemented in Al Bed'a and Al Mamzar clinics in the first stages.

"Before this implementation, the staff at these clinics had to undergo a 20-hour orientation programme so that the clinics could acquire international accreditation as baby-friendly clinics by the World Health Organisation (WHO)," said Dr Fatima.
/Khaleej Times/

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Bringing banned drugs to UAE can land you in jail

Having medicines in your travel bag is second nature to most people, but if you’re not careful, those medicines to relieve a cough or treat painful gastric ulcers can land you in jail.

As signatory to the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which enforces two earlier conventions against narcotics and psychotropic substances, the UAE prohibits certain chemicals, and medicines with these chemicals, from entering the country.

Some medicines, which are over-the-counter in other countries, are also considered controlled items in the UAE as they produce effects that contravene local laws.

To bring these medicines in, residents and non-residents alike must have a medical prescription from a UAE-licenced physician. For those who received treatment abroad, they must show a medical report from a doctor detailing their illness and the reason for taking the medicines.

Dr Easa Al Mansouri, director of the Pharmacy and Drug Supply Department at the Ministry of Health, said this was to make sure that the medicines would be used legally. “How can [the customs officer] be sure if [an overseas] prescription is legitimate?” he said.

“If they have a medical report with them, then nobody should stop them,” added Humaid Al Shamsi, assistant undersecretary for pharmaceutical supplies at the ministry.

To be on the safe side, both suggested visitors and residents should forego bringing in the ‘dodgy’ medicine and get a prescription upon arrival in the UAE. However, that might be a problem as many people are unaware of these regulations until they land in trouble.

Although the troublesome medicines are listed in various UAE health websites - there are 365 of them - finding them is a roundabout process.

“There are no warnings posted at the airport. Travel agencies don’t tell us,” said Dr Mohammad Samir, who recently moved to Dubai.

“My friend’s mother was stopped once because she brought in a medicine her doctor prescribed to her in the UK that’s not allowed here,” said Dr Baher Massoud, medical director at a pharmaceutical company.

“It’s very important to know. If we bring a medicine and we don’t know it’s illegal, it may jeopardise [our stay in the UAE],” added Michael Lopez, who recently moved to Dubai from the Philippines.

Banned Drugs

*The UAE has identified a group of drugs with the potential to lead to addiction if not controlled and has prohibited their entry.
For a full list you can visit the UAE ministry of health website

* Many common cold and cough remedies, which you might assume to be harmless, must be accompanied by a prescription. Many of these drugs are available over-the-counter (OTC) in other countries.

* Some sleeping tablets, painkillers, anti-depressants and hormone replacement therapy drugs are banned here.

* Poppy seeds, a common ingredient in dishes in some countries, are illegal her.

* Betel leaves and betel nuts are also banned.

* All kinds of sex stimulants are banned.

* Some controlled drugs according to UAE Federal Law are alfentanil, amphetamine, codeine, fentanyl, ketamine, methadone, methyphenidate and morphine.

* The trade names of some controlled medicines which are registered as medicines in the UAE (i.e. a doctor’s prescription is required) Ketalar, Physeptone, Ritalin, Sosegon, Subutex Ultiva, Abilify, Anexate, Arthrotec, Ativan, Barnetil, Buccastem, Clopixol, Cytotec, 123 Cold, Actifed Compound, Actifed DM, Activelle, Adol Cold, Adol Compound, Adumbran, Akineton, Algaphan, Anafranil, Andriol, Artane, Tussifin with codeine, Unified DM, Vesanoid, Virormone and Zoloft.

Please check with the UAE embassy in your country on prohibited or controlled medicines in the UAE before travelling.

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A Health System the World has been Waiting for!

Eat meat! Don’t eat meat! Drink milk! Don’t drink milk! Carbs are good for you! Carbs will make you fat! Go running! Don’t run do yoga!

The health industry has certainly done a good job of confusing the average consumer to the point of tears on how to lose weight or maintain optimal health… and with scientific backing to prove their claims.

So what is one supposed to do with all of this contradictory, scientifically proven information? Well it is not to sit down with a bowl of your favorite ice cream and just be happy being unfit. The secret is the PIDDDS 3-D Living Circle of Health system.

This is no gimmick. This is the honest truth! With hundreds of cases to back this claim, ALL OF THE CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION IS TRUE!

Yes! But it is just true for certain people depending only on their PIDDDS type!! It is that simple. It is necessary for some people to eat red meat, while others should avoid it like the plague!

And it is all easily spelled out to you in a comprehensive book on how to be regain your body’s initial state of perfection through the 3-D’s of the PIDDDS personal integrated system: Dynamics, Diet and Determination.

Through a unique process of realigning your body’s Dynamics to its intended position, through the proper Diet according to your PIDDDS type and through the Determination to follow through and adapt this as a lifestyle, ALL of your health problems can be improved. Depression, obesity, chronic pain, bed wetting, infertility you name it; can be addressed through PIDDDS… and most of the time through just two treatments.

PIDDDS was developed by Jose Garbe-Vilijn, who was inspired to write this book after a chance meeting with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Jose expressed her deepest concerns for the health of UAE citizens and explained that she knew of a way to help, a way that she had developed, which saved her own life. On that day she made a promise to HH to spread the word to the UAE on how they can easily maintain optimum health through a simple process of logic… this promise she has upheld.

Jose suffers from a genetic disorder, which caused her to experience brain bleeding some years ago. Brain bleeding is a condition that kills most of its sufferers, but because of her lifelong quest to devise a system for her optimum health, she saved her own life. The doctors said it was only because of her outstanding diet and way of living, that she was able to make it through.

Jose, a Dubai resident, is happy to bring to you the PIDDDS 3-D Living Circle of Health.
For more information or to set up an interview, contact +971 50 640 8687 or email info@piddds.com.
We wish you health!

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An article on Dr. Azad Moopen

Trust and care is what makes the world so beautiful. When it comes to taking care of your dear and near ones, Dr. Moopen’s group makes sure that you get the best in healthcare. Headquartered in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai, Dr. Moopen’s group is today one of the leading health care providers in the UAE. With a modest beginning in the year 1987 the group has emerged into a large conglomerate comprising of hospitals, diagnostic centres, polyclinics and pharmacies.

Dr. Moopen’s Group currently operates in UAE, Qatar, Oman and India. Their medical centres in Dubai are spread in various prominent places like Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama, Shaikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah, Al Quoz, Al Aweer, Jebel Ali (Gardens) and Dubai Healthcare City(DHCC). They are also setting up medical centres along with pharmacies in Dubai which are at different stages of completion. The first hospital of the group in Dubai was inaugurated at Mankhool and the second hospital of the group was inaugurated at Safa Park area.

“Right from our first step in the journey towards becoming the leading healthcare provider in GCC and India, the cornerstone of out triangle of care has been quality, accessibility and affordability. We believe that healthy individuals make healthy societies and when health comes first everything else follows. We strive tirelessly to bring advanced health care services and products within the easy reach of people we serve and are dedicated to deliver excellence in health care,” says Dr. Moopen, Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Moopen’s Group.

How did it all begin?
We entered the field of healthcare in 1987 to bring quality medical care within the reach of people at affordable cost. Besides providing state-of-the-art treatment facilities by harnessing the latest medical innovations, our team is guided by the principle that the human touch plays an important role in health care delivery.

Thanks to the encouragement and support rendered to us by the Rulers, Government officials, Business partners and our loyal customers, we are contributing our share to the delivery of health care in the GCC. Our network of Neighbourhood Family Clinics, Medical and Diagnostic Centres and Medshops is being expanded by the addition of inpatient facilities through hospitals. Further we have expanded into the field of Healthcare Consultancy by establishing an office in the Dubai Healthcare City.

What medical facilities do you provide?
In keeping with the concept of total loving care, we started the Neighbourhood Family Clinics-Medcentre—a concept that defines proximity, comprehensiveness and affordability. At these family clinics a professional team of doctors and paramedics cater to the day-to-day healthcare requirements of residential neighbourhoods.

The Medcentres offer consultation services in General medicine, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Dentistry, Cardiology, Neurology and Endocrinology, along with advanced laboratory and imaging facilities assure access to more sophisticated diagnosis and treatment.

Medshop is a unique pharmacy retail concept driven by the theme ‘much more than medicines’. Designed to be one-stop-shop for healthcare products, Medshop offers quality medical and allied products at the best prices. These customer friendly shops stock a wide variety of cosmetic, nutritional and baby care products. Systematically shelved, they allow easy over-the-counter service. In addition to easy availability of medicines and allied products, medshops have qualified staff who can guide customers on diet, nutrition, medical equipment etc. Making the Medshop concept more popular is the free home delivery service, a website which offers an exhaustive list of medicines and equipment with pricing, a Pharmacist helpline and detailed FAQ.

A network of hospitals with world class healthcare facilities is a part of my Group’s vision for expansion. This vision has become a reality with Al Rafa Hospital, a 20-bed community hospital providing affordable inpatient care for maternity and surgery. The hospital provides round the clock comprehensive obstetric and gynaecology treatment including antenatal and postnatal care with well contained maternity suite sand neonatal ICU. With two modern modular operation theatres and post-operative intensive care beds, the hospital provides surgical services in general and laparoscopic surgery,, urology, orthopaedics and ENT through in-house and visiting specialists and consultants. The hospital allows operating rights to qualified community doctors. Other facilities include laboratory, radiology and imaging services and in-house pharmacy.

What are the future plans?
By 2010, Dubai Healthcare City will become a globally acknowledged location of choice for healthcare and a centre of excellence for specialist medical services, medical education, life science research and technology leveraged healthcare services. My group is proud to be a part of this futuristic vision with its widely acclaimed initiative. Eurohealth Systems—catering to a global audience of professionals by offering a gamut of top-level management services.

Meeting the never ending demands for high calibre personnel with relevant industry exposure poses a significant challenge to modern day healthcare service providers. Our consultancy division—emedhr.com provides solutions to all health care related recruitment needs by carefully analyzing client profiles and requirement specifications—thus ensuring effective human resource management.

Proven expertise coupled with the experience of successfully managing a network of facilities places my group in a position to offer consultancy services to investors in the health care sector.
(By Remediana Dias)

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Womens' wineglass should be half full

Raising a glass of wine and wishing "Salud!" -- Health! -- is one of life's many pleasures.
But for women, this well-meaning cheer rings hollow: There's mounting evidence that drinking wine and other alcoholic beverages increases the risk of breast cancer.

That's not the image that many people have about sipping wine, beer or other alcoholic beverages in moderation. A recent Harvard study of 878 people found that nearly two-thirds of drinkers and about a third of teetotalers considered such imbibing to be safe and healthful. So healthful that about 30 percent of those surveyed said the purported health benefits of alcohol are one reason they drink.

The link between alcohol and breast cancer is something that "almost nobody in the study had heard about," says the survey's lead author, Kenneth Mukamal, an internist at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston. Only 10 percent correctly identified breast cancer as a possible risk of moderate drinking, the researchers reported in the journal Family Medicine.

Since the survey ended, Mukamal continues to informally poll people at cocktail parties. "I've spoken with other colleagues and friends who I would have considered to be fairly sophisticated consumers," he says. "And most have no idea about this, either."

Yet just this month, Danish researchers added to a substantial base of evidence linking alcohol consumption to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. These results offer a cautionary note for younger women and underscore that it's never too early to go easy on alcohol. The researchers tracked nearly 10,000 women for 27 years. They found that the amount of alcohol the women consumed when the study began, rather than after menopause, correlated best with their breast cancer risk nearly three decades later.

If women do drink, there's widespread agreement that they should avoid having more than one drink per day. (A drink is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits such as whiskey, tequila or vodka.) Just that amount of alcohol translates to "about a 10 percent increased risk of breast cancer," says Eric Rimm, an associate professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.

More alcohol equals more risk. How much more? "Some studies suggest that two or more drinks per day are associated with about a 30 to 40 percent increase in the risk of breast cancer," says JoAnn E. Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. For women who have other risk factors -- a mother or sister with breast cancer, for example -- "that can be a substantial risk," Manson notes.

Just how alcohol raises breast cancer risk is something that researchers are still trying to understand. Alcohol is known to boost estrogen and other hormones, which are linked to breast cancer. In animals, alcohol has also produced some abnormalities of the mammary gland.

Mixing alcohol with hormone replacement therapy can be particularly risky, since alcohol and estrogen seem to augment each other. "That combination is something to avoid," Manson says.

But there may be ways to help cut the risk from drinking alcohol. One nutrient under investigation is the B vitamin, folic acid. Also known as folate, this vitamin gets its name from the Latin word for leaf, because it occurs in green, leafy vegetables, such as spinach, turnip greens and Swiss chard. Citrus fruits and dried beans are also rich in folate. Research suggests that women who eat a lot of fruit and vegetables have a lower risk of breast cancer.

Since 1998, the Food and Drug Administration has mandated folate fortification in grain products, such as bread and pasta, to help prevent spina bifida and other neural-tube birth defects. Folate is also a common ingredient of multivitamins and of prenatal vitamins.

Alcohol blocks folate absorption from food. So researchers have wondered whether diets high in folate might offer protection against breast cancer among women who drink. A 1998 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association studied nearly 3,500 women with breast cancer and found no link between folate intake and overall breast cancer risk. But when researchers looked at women who had at least one drink of alcohol per day, they found that breast cancer risk was greatest among those with the lowest folate intake. "Our findings suggest that the excess risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol consumption may be reduced by adequate folate intake," the team reported.

In March, Manson and her colleagues published a report of a 10-year study of multivitamin use and breast cancer risk in nearly 40,000 women. Taking a multivitamin did not protect against breast cancer, except in women who consumed at least one drink daily. Those results "suggest that multivitamin use might help to counteract the elevated risk of breast cancer for women consuming alcohol," Manson says.

But experts say that doesn't mean that it's okay to imbibe and then pop a multivitamin or eat a lot of spinach to compensate. "There's no conclusive evidence that any vitamin or nutrient can cancel out the adverse effects of alcohol on breast cancer," Manson says. "Studies to date have been inconsistent."

Nor is there any evidence that one type of alcohol is better -- or worse -- than any other in terms of breast cancer risk. Red wine is often touted for health benefits. But there's "no clear evidence that beer or liquor is more or less likely to increase breast cancer risk than wine," Manson says.

What counts is how much you drink. Simply put, the more alcohol a woman drinks, the greater her risk of breast cancer. Or to put it another way, everything in moderation. Source

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