The UAE Ministry of Health will conduct regular free medical examinations of all residents of Dubai and the Northern Emirates in order to prevent diseases and reduce the cost of possible treatment.
In an interview with the local newspaper Khaleej Times, the director of the Central Department of Health, Dr. Al Kawari, said that such examinations have already been practiced at the medical centers Al Wasit and Al Riqqa in Sharjah since January this year. More than 2000 people have registered for a medical examination, some of them have already been vaccinated.
Similar examinations will be held in Dubai and the Northern Emirates from June 2009. According to Dr. Al Kawari, the department decided to conduct regular examinations of all residents of the country to identify diseases such as diabetes. The doctor emphasized the importance of identifying many diseases in the early stages to reduce the cost of expensive treatment in the future and reduce mortality.
The program was divided into age groups, from newborns to the elderly, who are over 60. Free vaccination is provided for children under five years of age, people and people of other age groups will be provided with counseling and medication, depending on the diseases detected. Persons with identified serious illnesses will be referred for treatment to hospitals in the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry of Education also plans to conduct a special awareness-raising campaign on cancer among students.
