HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center hosts an all-day Children’s Diabetes Awareness Event, in support of World Diabetes Day

Abu Dhabi - HealthPlus celebrated World Diabetes Day on the 14th of November by hosting a Children’s Diabetes Awareness Event, which took place at its recently inaugurated HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi. This fresh initiative included a full day of fun and educational crafts, live cooking stations, educational movies and other activities aimed at creating awareness amongst youngsters on how to prevent Diabetes and live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Children where educated on different aspects of Diabetes prevention, management and treatment by the multidisciplinary team of Consultant Diabetologists, Podiatrists, Nutritionists and Diabetes Educators available at HealthPlus. Consultant Opthalmologists from Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai were also available alongside the team from HealthPlus, performing eye screening exams for the children and educating them about the importance of eye care. This initiative came as an attempt to proactively contribute to the prevention of Diabetes and to counteract the alarming increase in diabetes cases within recent years.

Dr. Mohammed Al Khatib, Medical Director and Consultant Diabetelogist & Endocrinologist at HealthPlus affirmed:

“Recently we have seen more and more individuals and organizations getting involved in supporting the cause. However, everyone seems to be focusing on the adult population while ignoring the fact that the wellbeing of our future community lies in the hands of our youth. We strongly believe that if we were to bring down the number of Diabetes cases in this country, rated as the second highest in diabetes prevalence worldwide, we need to seriously start focusing on educating our children on this matter.”

Dr. Al-Khatib further added, “The program for the event was designed under the guidance of our partners - Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim from Germany, who have vast knowledge and experience in running similar initiatives and are considered amongst the top rated providers of diabetes care and education in Europe”.

Mr. Majd Abuzant, CEO of HealthPlus network of specialized healthcare centers stated:

“This year’s Children’s Diabetes Awareness Day was a great success and strongly supported by many of the schools and parents in the Capital. The children learnt about the nutritional value of foods, as well as being able to differentiate between items high and low in sugars. Children also learnt about Diabetes related complications, eye and foot-care, and even hypoglycemia! All those who participated have indeed gained valuable knowledge, which they in turn can share with their siblings, parents and friends thus supporting the cause. Ultimately we would like to see this initiative reach out to children not just from Abu Dhabi but rather the whole United Arab Emirates. “

Aldar Academies was one of the institutions, which greatly supported this initiative by encouraging teachers and students to attend.

Commenting on the event Mr. Wayne Howsen, principal of Al Muna School declared:

“Today Year 5 Kingfishers of Al Muna School attended an educational day at Health Plus in support of World Diabetes Day. Children today are encouraged to make decisions for themselves but we need to give them the facts so that the decisions they make can be well informed and will have a positive impact on their lifestyles. We need to explain to them why they should or should not do things. This is the only way you will achieve long term results and ultimately Beat Diabetes. We have also found that by understanding more about the disease children can better empathize with others who have diabetes thus creating the supportive environment necessary at school and at home. We would definitely attend future events at Health Plus as we have had such positive experience”
About HealthPlus

‘HealthPlus’, Abu Dhabi’s growing network of premium outpatient centers, was established by UEMedical, the Abu Dhabi based healthcare investors and developers. The healthcare network provides state-of-the-art outpatient medical services and supports the multiple missions of UEMedical, including outstanding patient care and extensive community outreach. Over 20 facilities, adopting international standards and best practices, will open over the coming years and form part of an integrated healthcare delivery system including UEMedical’s flagship project, Danat Al Emarat Women and Children's Hospital. The network comprises Centers of Excellence in a variety of specialties including Women’s Health, Fertility & Genetics, Day Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, in addition to a number of Family Clinics and Pharmacies. The centers are heavily involved in promoting community health awareness and education, and in supporting national programs in line with the initiatives of the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi of improving public health. HealthPlus will fill the apparent gaps in the healthcare sector, and focus will continually be placed on medical excellence, patient-centeredness and unparalleled levels of customer service. For more information, please visit www.hplus.ae

HealthPlus network currently includes:
• Women’s Health Center – 600 503035
• Fertility Center – 600 503035
• Family Health Center, Al Bandar – 600 503035
• Diabetes & Endocrinology Center – 600 503035
• HealthPlus Pharmacies
For press enquiries, please contact:

Rania Akkela
Marketing & Communications Manager, UEMedical
M: 00971 56 6780665
T: 00971 2 6266805
F: 00971 2 6266897
E: rania.akkela@uems.ae

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (Moorfields), the first overseas branch of the world renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital London, and United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), Abu Dhabi’s leading privately owned healthcare development and investment company, have signed today a Cooperation Agreement through which the two organisations will jointly explore the potential opportunities to develop ophthalmological clinical services in Abu Dhabi.

Moorfields already has a successful, purpose-built hospital in Dubai, which has been operating for six years and treated more than 27,000 patients. UEMedical owns and operates a network of specialty centers and family clinics across Abu Dhabi under its ‘HealthPlus’ brand, and is soon to open the first specialized Women and Children’s Hospital (Danat Al Emarat) in Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the Agreement, Mariano Gonzalez, Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, stated that the Board of Directors of Moorfields in the UK is keen to explore the Abu Dhabi market, “Abu Dhabi is an important part of our expansion strategy for the UAE. Moorfields Dubai will remain our lead centre of excellence in the UAE and we recently announced an MOU with Dubai Healthcare City to expand our research and teaching activities there, which are important elements of our overall mission. The last six years in Dubai have proven to be very successful and we aim to build on this firm foundation and replicate the success in Abu Dhabi for the benefit of the community there. We have been treating patients in Abu Dhabi and believe we can provide a new option to provide the complete range of clinical services delivered locally, to the global standards set by Moorfields. We would hope to begin operations in Abu Dhabi in some form, during 2014.”

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO & Managing Director of UEMedical and Chairman of HealthPlus, said, “We are excited to be collaborating with one of the world’s leading institutes - Moorfields Eye Hospital London, and to explore the opportunity of establishing and operating an Eye Hospital under the Moorfields brand in the Capital of the UAE.” Mr. Al Shorafa added, “We will examine the clinical services best suited for our market that would be consistent with the high standards, procedures and outstanding clinical outcomes for which Moorfields is known worldwide. Such an agreement represents another step for UEMedical in the realization of the UAE leaders’ vision to provide the people of the UAE with the best healthcare facilities comparable to international standards.”

Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus also stated, “We are pleased to announce that a team of Consultants from Moorfields Eye Hospital are now leading the Ophthalmology Department in our recently inaugurated HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi. Through this partnership, Moorfields doctors will work collaboratively with our multidisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive care for adults and children with diabetes.” Mr Abu Zant further commented, “In addition to treating patients with diabetes, Moorfields doctors will also provide much needed Glaucoma, Pediatric and Aviation Ophthalmology services at the HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi.”

About Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai (MEHD) is the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment, teaching and research in the world. Located at the Al Razi Medical Complex in Dubai Health Care City, the facility provides day case surgery and outpatient diagnostic and treatment services, for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions. MEHD will also raise standards for research and teaching in the region. MEHD is owned and managed by the NHS Foundation Trust, and maintains close links with London, to ensure that patients in the GCC receive the best eye care treatment in the world.
About UEMedical

United Eastern Medical (UEMedical) was formed in 2005 with the aim of raising the standard of healthcare service delivery and has since become Abu Dhabi’s leading privately owned Healthcare Development and Investment Company. UEMedical possesses the breadth of experience, the network of expertise and the financial backing to assume a prominent role in a complex and challenging healthcare environment, aiming to differentiate themselves on the basis of medical excellence, innovation and an unparalleled level of customer service. UEMedical will develop and manage an integrated healthcare delivery system that comprises world-class specialty hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout the UAE. Its portfolio of projects is coming together to leverage the combined talent and resources of a world class hospital, 6 specialty centers and 14 family clinics to create an integrated healthcare delivery system across Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Along with its well-established network of outpatient specialty and family health canter branded as HealthPlus, UEMedical will see the opening of the 250-bed Danat Al Emarat Women & Children’s Hospital in Abu Dhabi City (2014). By partnering with a number of internationally renowned healthcare providers, UEMedical also ensures that international standards in patient care delivery and best practices are put in place. For more information, please visit www.uems.ae
Media contacts:

Jon Walsh
WPR Limited
Dubai
M: 00971 50 4588610
E: jon@wprme.com
Issued on behalf of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai by WPR.

Rania Akkela
Marketing & Communications Manager, UEMedical
M: 00971 56 6780665
T: 00971 2 6266805
F: 00971 2 6266897
E: rania.akkela@uems.ae

ALDAR and HealthPlus host a diabetes awareness event offering free health checkups for visitors supported by Abu Dhabi Business Women Council

As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) joint initiatives towards a healthy community, HealthPlus & Aldar Properties launched a diabetes awareness event on the evening of 14 June 2013 at the The Souk – World Trade Center Abu Dhabi. This initiative follows a series of campaigns and health talks that HealthPlus and Aldar organized during the year 2012.

Studies have shown that in recent years, a rise in type 2 diabetes across all age groups was evident world-wide. Official statistics shows that the UAE is ranked 11th worldwide, with 18.9% of the UAE population are living with diabetes.

Lectures were given in both English and Arabic and were presented by Abu Dhabi’s leading diabetes consultants, Dr. Mohammed Al-Khatib and Dr. Thomas Kunt who focused in their talks on how to keep the whole family away from Diabetes starting from childhood. They discussed the dangers of the disease and gave tips on how to prevent it. Attendees were then invited to a free health check up by the HealthPlus medical team including Body Mass Index, Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure.

This event was also supported by Abu Dhabi Business Women Council who invited all their members to attend to learn more about diabetes as well as showcase some of their members’ small business success stories. Moreover, activities for kids were also organized.

“We are pleased to be organizing this community diabetes awareness event in partnership with HealthPlus and Abu Dhabi’s Business Women Council,” said Andrew Broderick, Aldar’s Health, Safety & Environment Manager. “It was great to see such an excellent turnout from the community at The Souk – World Trade Center Abu Dhabi and we look forward to organizing more similar activities as part of our shared commitment to community health and social responsibility.”

Her Excellency Eng. Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, Executive Board Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council said, “Health education is an integral part of our beliefs at the Abu Dhabi Business Women Council. We could not be happier to be here today and be part of such an important community event.”

Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus, commented, “Such events have given HealthPlus the opportunity to advance our main mission of improving the long-term health of the communities that we serve. This can be achieved through regular screening and early detection, and promoting health awareness and education. In the past few weeks since the opening of our new facility we have found that more than 20% of the patients visiting our center were diagnosed with Diabetes for the first time by our doctors. This is an alarming number; collaborations between organizations within the community are vital in order to continue raising awareness and educating the public by all means possible.”

“There is a vast number of patients with diabetes that are currently unaware of their disease. Increased awareness will benefit the patients in avoiding any complications. Individuals are also surrounded by risk factors for diabetes, mostly related to rising obesity rates and physical inactivity. We hope through education and raising awareness, we will help in decreasing the prevalence of diabetes and other chronic diseases which we as healthcare professionals all look forward to. We encourage people to not only increase their physical activity and follow healthy eating habits, but also stop bad habits such as smoking and monitor their health on a regular basis,” Dr. Mohammed Al-Khatib from HealthPlus said.

Dr. Thomas Kunt from HealthPlus concluded, "Families who’ve attended our lectures came in with the goal of empowering themselves, and taking a more active role in their health by learning about one of the most common health problems that may affect them over the course of their lives. We encounter many families who only see a physician for a health problem and never take advantage of the available preventative health services and education.”

About Aldar

Aldar Properties PJSC is Abu Dhabi's leading property development, management and investment company. It listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities market in 2004. Aldar was established to support the region's infrastructure through the creation of high quality, attractive and sustainable communities equipped with residential, commercial, retail, leisure, hospitality, education and medical facilities. Aldar's diverse property portfolio includes major developments and re-developments within Abu Dhabi including Yas Island, Al Raha Beach, World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi, and Al Falah. The company owns a sizeable land bank in strategic locations throughout the Emirate.
HealthPlus

‘HealthPlus’, Abu Dhabi’s growing network of premium outpatient centers, was established by UEMedical, the Abu Dhabi based healthcare investors and developers. The healthcare network will provide state-of-the-art outpatient medical services and support the multiple missions of UEMedical, including outstanding patient care and extensive community outreach. Over 20 facilities, adopting international standards and best practices, will open over the coming years and form part of an integrated healthcare delivery system including UEMedical’s flagship project, Danat Al Emarat Women and Children's Hospital. The network will comprise of Centers of Excellence in a variety of specialties including Women’s Health, Fertility & Genetics, Day Surgery, Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, and Dental Health, in addition to a number of Family Clinics. The centers will be heavily involved in promoting community health awareness and education, and in supporting national programs in line with the initiatives of the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi of improving public health. HealthPlus will fill the apparent gaps in the healthcare sector, and focus will continually be placed on medical excellence, patient-centeredness and unparalleled levels of customer service. For more information, please visit www.hplus.ae

For press enquiries, please contact:

Farah Al Alami
Marketing & Communications Manager, UEMedical
M: 00971 50 6611428
T: 00971 2 6266805
F: 00971 2 6266897
E: falami@uems.ae