UAE, December 7, 2015 – The Ministry of Health has unveiled the promotional activities for the ‘Itmenan’ preventive program as part of the Council of Ministers’ ‘National Periodic health screening Check-Up’ and ‘Cancer screening initiatives, both of which aim to raise community awareness about the importance of regular check-ups for early detection of cancers and other non-communicable diseases, while learning their causes and risks. The promotional activities will include medical tests for osteoporosis, an awareness campaign on risk factors involving heart disease and available community health services, and a series of public health lectures. The campaign will be launched in Sharjah and Fujairah to cover various commercial centers and government entities.Awareness Day was held today 7/12/2015 for staff of government departments, institutions and entities of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The preventive program aims to enhance health through early detection of non-communicable diseases and common types of cancers that are treatable if detected in the early stages. Its implementation will be under the supervision of an international expert from England who has vast experience in the radiological diagnosis of breast cancer. The expert was available at Dadna Health Center from December 6 to 7, 2015 and will be available at the Health Promotion Center in Sharjah from Tuesday (8 December 2015) to Thursday and Saturdays, to oversee the radiation screening process and evaluate the work. The results will be given on the same day, while ultrasound examination and sampling will immediately be conducted for positive cases.

H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics, said the Ministry of Health has been launching public campaigns for early detection of diseases as part of its prevention and increased community awareness strategies to protect society from the risk of acquiring non-communicable diseases. The ‘Itmenan’ initiative has further reinforced this goal.

Dr. Ayesha Abdullah, Head of the ‘Early Detection of Cancer’ initiative, said: “The campaign aims to foster a culture of prevention, a fundamental pillar to avoid common illnesses and other health conditions such as cancers, heart disease and diabetes. Under the ‘Itmenan’ initiative, tests for early detection of cancer and universal periodic examination services will be provided in primary healthcare centers in Sharjah and Fujairah this year.  The same services will be gradually available in other areas in the UAE in the next few years.”

Dr. Haifa Faris, Head of the Ministry’s Universal Periodic Check-Up’ initiative, pointed out that the services will be provided in primary healthcare centers during official working hours. Patients can directly make an appointment in the following health centers: Wasit, Alrigga, Khalidiya, Alaqraan, Riffa, Al Hamriya, and Al Dhaid in Sharjah; and Dadna Center in Fujairah. The promotional campaign will run until Thursday, December 17, 2015.