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During the World Health Organization’s Workshop for Combating Obesity, the WHO (World Health Organization) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean praised the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention in combating obesity, and applying the best international practices, in addition to creating solutions that prevent its spread to children and adults.
The workshop was organized on Tuesday by the Health Promotion Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs at its headquarters in Sharjah. The workshop was attended by group of local and international experts who discussed the causes and solutions of obesity in Sharjah and developed a strategic plan to combat obesity in the Emirate by cooperating with the World Health Organization.
The speakers at the two-day workshop include H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Dr Ayoub Al Jawaldeh, regional adviser on nutrition at WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO); and HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department. The workshop was also attended by HE Dr Abdulaziz Saeed Al Muhairi, Director of Sharjah Health Authority; and a number of representatives from the country’s governmental health bodies.
H.E. Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, stated that fighting obesity requires the concentrated efforts of the family as a first line of defence, and must also include the efforts of health and educational institutions, the media, and other civil organizations. He called on parents to make a greater effort in maintaining their children’s health and in helping fight against obesity.
Dr Ayoub Al Jawaldeh, regional adviser on nutrition at WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), praised the efforts of the UAE’s Ministry of Health for enacting measures that added 50% taxes on soft drinks and 100% taxes on energy drinks, which helps to reduce the consumption of these sugary drinks by children and helps to prevent obesity in the country. He also praised the ministry of health’s intention to reduce sugar in soft drinks, and their efforts to limit the number of advertisements that attract children to harmful food products.
HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department, stated that the Health Promotion Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and other health bodies in Sharjah are making continuous efforts to promote awareness on the need to combat obesity and prevent its spread, in addition to encourage the practice of sports as a key element in fighting obesity. She also praised the role that the Ministry of Health plays in achieving the national agenda of "UAE Vision 2021," which aims to implement a health system that is based on the highest international standards that help reduce the rate of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, heart and diabetes.
The second day of the workshop, which falls on Wednesday, will include discussions on developing prevention methods for obesity in schools and in the workplace, in addition to discussing the role of all sides in implementing the framework for preventing obesity in Sharjah.
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