Tag Archives: opinion
‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes
‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 20 June 2013 A 30-minute brisk walk everyday can help, manage, reverse and even prevent diabetes. So, start walking. This was the message imparted by health and sports officials on Wednesday during the launch of ‘Start Walking’, a public health awareness campaign by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC). Richard Cregan, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Suhail Al Ansari and Dr Michael Bitzer during the launch of the ‘Start Walking’ campaign in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer Part of the ICLDC’s seventh ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ annual campaign, ‘Start Walking’ aims to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to hold mini-walks from now till November in the lead-up to Walk 2013 walkathon at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15, the day after World Diabetes Day. “Studies have shown that 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day of brisk walking can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 58 per cent. That’s a huge reduction and we recommend this for everybody,” said Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, director-general of Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD). According to 2012 figures from the International Diabetes Federation, the UAE ranked 11 th worldwide in the prevalence of diabetes with an estimated 18.9 per cent of the adult population (20-79 years) living with the disease. “A relative improvement,” said Dr Barakat, noting that the UAE at one stage was top two. She attributed this to the efforts and initiatives, both at the local and federal level, as well as the media in raising awareness at schools and improving the community’s lifestyle. “It’s a remarkable impact when there are concerted efforts,” she pointed out. She stated, however, that 18.9 per cent is still “far too high”, three times the normal average of six per cent diabetes prevalence worldwide. Thus, more efforts are needed to encourage people here to be fit and healthy. This means doing physical activity such as exercise, having a healthy diet, maintaining normal body weight, smoking cassation and cutting down on salt intake, among others. Walking events that have been scheduled as part of the campaign include a 3km brisk walk on the ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24, and ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1. “Let us encourage one another, take the steps. Park your car a bit further and walk. A healthier workforce translates to more productivity,” remarked Suhail Al Ansari, executive director of Mubadala Healthcare and Chairman of the ICLDC. At the Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for Walk 2013, TrainYAS and GoYAS fitness sessions on the track is being held weekly. “We too want more people to put on their walking shoes and join us each week. Talking while walking is a great, family-friendly way to catch up on your day and keep fit together,” said Richard Cregan, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management. Noting the financial impact and the social implication of diabetes if action is not taken now, Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of the National Health Insurance Company, Daman, stressed the “fun” factor in walking. “We do not only focus that walking is healthy, walking can be fun (too). Have fun, then you can do it everyday,” he said. Daman will be participating this year through its health and lifestyle programme ‘ActiveLife’. Coming events 3km walk on ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24 ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1 Walk 2013 at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15 olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
All-steel parking facility inaugurated in Abu Dhabi
All-steel parking facility inaugurated in Abu Dhabi Staff Reporter / 20 June 2013 The Department of Transport (DoT) on Wednesday inaugurated the Emirate’s first all-steel parking facility. The facility, which was completed within a record time of three months spans over 8,252 square metres and can accommodate 562 vehicles. The two-level structure is located south of Al Falah Street, east of Bani Yas Street and adjacent to some of the government entities such as the Ministry of Finance, Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. “The inauguration of the first Mawaqif steel-structure building in Abu Dhabi is in line with the DoT’s strategy to come up with efficient, integrated and proactive approaches to meet parking needs. Such buildings can be set up in a short span of time, and offer vehicle owners hassle-free solutions to easily reach various destinations, especially in the high traffic areas with greater need for parking bays,” said Mohammed Nasser Al Otaiba, General Manager of Mawaqif at the Department of Transport. The building is also equipped with fire alarms and extinguishers, and users can easily move between storeys through the stairs. “This kind of steel structure building is widely adopted worldwide as one of the most feasible solutions to tackle vehicle parking challenges, offering a wide spectrum of advantages such as low cost, ease and speed of building accomplishment, the ability to accommodate a larger number of vehicles as well as upholding the city’s aesthetic characteristics and landmarks unaffected,” Al Otaiba added. Mawaqif standard fee of Dh2 per hour and Dh15 for full day will be applicable in the building. Parking is free on Fridays as well as official holidays. “Drivers should abide by parking rules and regulations to avoid fines,” the official advised. news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Public schools to get new uniform
Public schools to get new uniform Staff Reporter / 20 June 2013 Public schools will now have a new uniform, announced the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec). The new uniform will come into effect at the beginning of the school year 2013/2014 across 12 schools during the pilot phase. The rest of the schools will continue to use their current uniform. The trial phase will be carried out in Al Hidaya Kindergarten, Al Dhabiania, Al Thuraya, Khadeeja Al Kubra, Al Mawaheb, Aisha Om Al Momeneen and Palestine Schools in Abu Dhabi. The new uniform will come into effect from the beginning of 2013-14 school year. — Supplied photo In Al Ain, they include Al Diwan Kindergarten, Al La’ale and Al Badya Schools while in the Western Region it will be Al Areej Kindergarten and Qatar Al Nada School. Mohammad Salem Al Dhaheri, Adec’s executive director of School Operations said the standardised uniforms will have the attractive colours of blue, navy blue and sky blue. According to Al Dhaheri, the new design is comfortable, carries Adec’s logo, will fit both genders and different age categories and will be available for the summer and winter. Dhabia Al Qamzi, Al Mawaheb School Principal, said the new uniform designs take into consideration the weather and added that trendy styles and designs encourage students to abide by them. “Adec is providing school uniforms at affordable prices to minimise family burdens at the beginning of each school year.” KG students will have two sets of uniforms. The first is a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, tie, winter blazer and jacket while the second is a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and winter blazer and jacket. Cycle 1 (Grades 1-5) girls can choose between a long-sleeved shirt, school dress, and a winter blazer or a long-sleeved shirt, skirt, scarf and a winter blazer. Cycle 2 (Grades 6-9) and Cycle 3 (Grades 10-12) girls will also have a long-sleeved shirt, school dress, a winter blazer and scarf as one set, and a long-sleeved shirt, skirt, a winter blazer and jacket in the other set. olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
