UAE’s strategy to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases was the focus of attention at an event themed 'Zero Malaria Starts with Me', organised by the Ministry of Health and Prevention recently at Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah
SHARJAH, (Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2019) UAE’s strategy to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases was the focus of attention at an event themed 'Zero Malaria Starts with Me', organised by the Ministry of Health and Prevention recently at Radisson Blu Resort, Sharjah.
The event was held in conjunction with World Malaria Day, which falls on 25th April, and on the twelfth anniversary of declaring the UAE to be free of malaria, according to WHO.
Held under the presence of Dr. Hussein Abdel-Rahman Al-Rand, Under-Secretary of the Ministry’s Health Assistant Sector, Health Centers and Clinics, the event was attended by Ibrahim Obaid Al Naboodah, Director of the National Center for Malaria Vector Control, along with Departmental Directors and representatives of various health authorities and municipalities.
Dr. Hussein Al Rand gave a speech praising the UAE’s accomplishment, as one of the first countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to be officially declared free of malaria.
He pointed to the efforts exerted by MoHAP and various health authorities to prevent the prevalence of malaria. Al Rand noted, "We have a robust malaria surveillance programme to detect and treat cases, as well as the detection and control of insects, in cooperation with neighboring countries."
"World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need to pursue efforts and increase the commitment for the prevention and control of the disease, as well as raise awareness among individuals on avoiding the infection," said Al Rand.
Dr. Al Rand said that MoHAP pays great attention to upgrading travel Health Clinics to include vaccinations for various infectious diseases for citizens and residents. It will also offer health education and preventive medicines for malaria to people who are traveling to malaria-endemic countries.
For his part, Prof. Norbert Nowotny, Professor of Virology, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, highlighted mosquito-borne diseases.
While Dr. Ahmed Hegazy, consultant Gastroenterologist, Al Qassimi Hospital, discussed the latest developments in antimalarial drug resistance and treatment methods.
