2009-06-04 20:52:33
WAM Geneva, Jun 04th, 2009 (WAM): The United Arab Emirates reiterated today before the world community, its determination to continue the march in the path of women revivalism.
Addressing the annual full-day discussion of the Human Rights Council on women's human rights today, the permanent representative of the UAE at the United Nations Office in Geneva Obeid Salem Al Za'abi said that since the formation of the UAE under the presidency of late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the leadership of the country was fully aware of the fact the woman is an equal partner in the process of national development.
The leadership of the country, inspired by its faith in gender equality, adopted a strategy of empowering women in cultural, social and economic fields, Al Za'abi said.
In an intervention made during the discussion, Al Za'abi portrayed how UAE worked to achieve the gender equality in rights and duties through guaranteeing women their right to ownership, employment, social security, economic and financial management, education, healthcare, earning, as well as many other rights.
In our country, the strong presence of women in the leadership roles and positions of decision making is not a new trend, but is a continuation of the march led by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak though her ardent work for the renaissance of the women, said Al Za'abi.
He briefly shed light on various institutions in the UAE established with an objective of empowering women to play the equal role in the nation building. Al Za'abi drew a few examples such as the General Women's Union (GWU), which was founded by HH Sheikh Fatima and the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
Women in UAE holds four seats in the federal cabinet and fills nine seats in a total of 40 seats in the Federal National Council, the country's supreme legislative body. This in addition to a large number of key posts women hold in various ministries and local governments. More over, women represent 59 percent of the total work force in the UAE and enjoy equal opportunity in the economic life, Al Za'abi pointed out.
He also asserted the country's commitment to continue this march under the leadership of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Human Rights Council's discussion on women's human rights was entitled equality before the law: concrete steps to further women's equality. The discussion focused on non-discrimination in the law, with a view to identifying concrete steps to further women's equality. The first part addressed institutional perspectives on equality before the law and the second part presented a wider perspective from academia and civil society.
Opening the discussion, Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said international human rights treaties prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex and included guarantees to ensure that women and men enjoyed their civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights on a basis of equality.
Despite this perception, global and national realities indicated that there was a wide gulf between international legal obligations and their implementation. Not only did inequality in the legal, civil, economic, political and social arenas violate international obligations, but it also compounded discrimination against women.
When race, religion, ethnicity, poverty, disability, social status, and other forms of discrimination were factored in, then the picture was one of even greater disparity. Moreover, inequality created a climate where violence against women and girls was considered acceptable.
Speaking in the first part of the discussion were Chile, India, Nigeria, Paraguay for MERCOSUR, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Norway, Czech Republic for the European Union, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Philippines for ASEAN, Slovenia, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Russian Federation, Lithuania, Iceland, Turkey, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Serbia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Algeria, China, Indonesia, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina and South Africa.
Also speaking were the Equality and Human Rights Commission of Great Britain and the National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, national human rights institutions. Non-governmental organizations speaking were the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Equality Now, Amnesty International and Women's International Democratic Federation.
The following non-governmental organizations also took the floor: Center for Women's Global Leadership, Worldwide Organization for Women, International Federation of Human Rights and Interfaith International.
International human rights treaties prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex and included guarantees to ensure that women and men enjoyed their civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights on a basis of equality.
WAM/AB
Showing posts with label healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthcare. Show all posts
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Yemen: Civil service minister discusses women employment issues
SANA'A, Sep. 08 (Saba)- Minister of Civil Service and Insurance Yahya al-Shuaiby discussed on Monday with deputy chairwoman of the National Committee for Women Huria Mashhour a number of issues related to women, coming on top women employment process and increasing ratio of employing women in the governmental sector, specially in sectors of education and health.
The meeting dealt with structure of the National Committee for Women and its institutional built. They affirmed the importance of disseminating media message that supports women and integrating them in the labor market in accordance with trends of the government and its development policies.
The minister said that "the civil service is currently undergoing a provisional period and will change into a ministry to draw policies consisting of three sectors."
For her part, Mashhour reviewed recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which recommends increasing the number of women in the workforce, specially in the governmental sector.
- AM/AM Saba
The meeting dealt with structure of the National Committee for Women and its institutional built. They affirmed the importance of disseminating media message that supports women and integrating them in the labor market in accordance with trends of the government and its development policies.
The minister said that "the civil service is currently undergoing a provisional period and will change into a ministry to draw policies consisting of three sectors."
For her part, Mashhour reviewed recommendations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which recommends increasing the number of women in the workforce, specially in the governmental sector.
- AM/AM Saba
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Yemen: Women Awareness Network held its first defining conference
The Yemen Partners for Health Reform (YPHR) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) held the First Defining Conference for the Role of Women Associations Network in Community Development on Sunday in Taj Sheba Hotel. It was sponsored by Dr. Abdul-Karim Yahya Ras’a, Minster of Health and Population and Dr. Amah al-Razaq Hummad, Minister of Social Affairs and Labors.
The conference was held to address health system constraints to increase use of population, health and nutrition service and to strengthen health system stewardship and health information system, routine immunization strengthening, community awareness and strengthen the role of midwives.
"The overall objective of our meeting is to define the existence of the Women's Network and what has been done in the provinces of Al-Jawf and Amran," said Abdul-Sallam al-Kohlani, manager of YPHR project. "Thus, there is the possibility of interaction with these organizations and donors who are interested in community work," he added.
Al-Kohlani stated in his speech during the conference that it is no secret to everyone the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Population in disease control and eradication of epidemics and the dissemination of health awareness. "But our country has population clusters in remote areas distinguished by its geographical nature of high mountains, arduous passage valleys and wide deserts," which he argued created obstacles for the ministry in getting help to raise awareness for everyone.
Illiteracy rate associated with educational and health awareness makes the task of the health ministry almost impossible, said al-Kohlani. "So to hear the importance of such non-governmental organizations plays a supplemental role to the efforts of the government, which is the guarantor of the effectiveness and continuity of those efforts," he clarified.
He wishes that everyone should join hands together to support the efforts of these women's organizations to grow and to play the role entrusted to them. The head of Women's Network, Amah al-Sallam al-Babli said that this network has been formed to spread awareness in the community to change their incorrect perceptions and to avoid dangers arising from misunderstanding and ignorance.
"Civil society organizations are the main source supplementing the role and efforts of the government. They are the closest to the community, providing services, information and skills which anyone can use to live a better life," she said. "This network was established to unify efforts and strengthen the role of organizations in voluntary work by involving the community, especially women volunteers, for awareness. These volunteers are called Social Activists.
The Social Activists have covered 12,475 homes so far in 8 months as well as literacy centers and women gathering places and schools. They passed out health awareness information every place they got a chance.
"This great success is the role of social awareness activists and the assistance of USAID and the YPHR project for their cooperation in the formation of the network and arrangement of this conference. It is a giant step in defining the network and for its continuity and to make further efforts to serve the largest segment of society," al-Babli said appreciatively.
Dr. Jamilah al-Ra'ei, deputy of Health and Population Ministry, confirmed that USAID provided this project in the health sectors besides several other health projects to ease its continuance with women and society and promotion of voluntary work. "As we know, women have a big role in volunteer work that is still understandably difficult in Yemen," she added.
"The government cannot do all the work, so it resorts to involve civil society organizations to complement these actions," she said. "It has a strong presence in the governorates."
"I hope that the Women's Network has a plan on how to continue and how it can be expanded in other governorates," she said hopefully.
There was a special focus on hearing and speech-disabled children through the Women's Network activities, given their status as an entrenched underclass in society.
During the conference, some beneficiaries presented how the health awareness improved their knowledge of health, one of whom was a 12-year-old child named Mohammed Musa'd from the Hearing and Speech-Disabled Association in Amran province. He explained to the attendees how the network helped him in his understanding of health issues and other areas like first aid awareness.
"We were ignorant of these important things in our lives because we are marginalized in the society, so the network comes and makes us aware of the issues," Musa'ed said. "We really appreciate their work."
Yousra Ahmad, another beneficiary from Amran also told her story of how the network gave her a new sense of health awareness that she did not know before. "I used to refuse every vaccination because there were rumors said that it gives diseases and makes you ill, but after I examined my thoughts, I believe what I was thinking was incorrect thanks to the social awareness activists," she said.
The Social Awareness Network is essentially a group of private associations working together, voluntarily, to raise the health levels of individuals in the community. It intends to reach a large number of women and to use their efforts and resource for voluntary awareness work.
The conference was held to address health system constraints to increase use of population, health and nutrition service and to strengthen health system stewardship and health information system, routine immunization strengthening, community awareness and strengthen the role of midwives.
"The overall objective of our meeting is to define the existence of the Women's Network and what has been done in the provinces of Al-Jawf and Amran," said Abdul-Sallam al-Kohlani, manager of YPHR project. "Thus, there is the possibility of interaction with these organizations and donors who are interested in community work," he added.
Al-Kohlani stated in his speech during the conference that it is no secret to everyone the tremendous efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Population in disease control and eradication of epidemics and the dissemination of health awareness. "But our country has population clusters in remote areas distinguished by its geographical nature of high mountains, arduous passage valleys and wide deserts," which he argued created obstacles for the ministry in getting help to raise awareness for everyone.
Illiteracy rate associated with educational and health awareness makes the task of the health ministry almost impossible, said al-Kohlani. "So to hear the importance of such non-governmental organizations plays a supplemental role to the efforts of the government, which is the guarantor of the effectiveness and continuity of those efforts," he clarified.
He wishes that everyone should join hands together to support the efforts of these women's organizations to grow and to play the role entrusted to them. The head of Women's Network, Amah al-Sallam al-Babli said that this network has been formed to spread awareness in the community to change their incorrect perceptions and to avoid dangers arising from misunderstanding and ignorance.
"Civil society organizations are the main source supplementing the role and efforts of the government. They are the closest to the community, providing services, information and skills which anyone can use to live a better life," she said. "This network was established to unify efforts and strengthen the role of organizations in voluntary work by involving the community, especially women volunteers, for awareness. These volunteers are called Social Activists.
The Social Activists have covered 12,475 homes so far in 8 months as well as literacy centers and women gathering places and schools. They passed out health awareness information every place they got a chance.
"This great success is the role of social awareness activists and the assistance of USAID and the YPHR project for their cooperation in the formation of the network and arrangement of this conference. It is a giant step in defining the network and for its continuity and to make further efforts to serve the largest segment of society," al-Babli said appreciatively.
Dr. Jamilah al-Ra'ei, deputy of Health and Population Ministry, confirmed that USAID provided this project in the health sectors besides several other health projects to ease its continuance with women and society and promotion of voluntary work. "As we know, women have a big role in volunteer work that is still understandably difficult in Yemen," she added.
"The government cannot do all the work, so it resorts to involve civil society organizations to complement these actions," she said. "It has a strong presence in the governorates."
"I hope that the Women's Network has a plan on how to continue and how it can be expanded in other governorates," she said hopefully.
There was a special focus on hearing and speech-disabled children through the Women's Network activities, given their status as an entrenched underclass in society.
During the conference, some beneficiaries presented how the health awareness improved their knowledge of health, one of whom was a 12-year-old child named Mohammed Musa'd from the Hearing and Speech-Disabled Association in Amran province. He explained to the attendees how the network helped him in his understanding of health issues and other areas like first aid awareness.
"We were ignorant of these important things in our lives because we are marginalized in the society, so the network comes and makes us aware of the issues," Musa'ed said. "We really appreciate their work."
Yousra Ahmad, another beneficiary from Amran also told her story of how the network gave her a new sense of health awareness that she did not know before. "I used to refuse every vaccination because there were rumors said that it gives diseases and makes you ill, but after I examined my thoughts, I believe what I was thinking was incorrect thanks to the social awareness activists," she said.
The Social Awareness Network is essentially a group of private associations working together, voluntarily, to raise the health levels of individuals in the community. It intends to reach a large number of women and to use their efforts and resource for voluntary awareness work.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Bahrain: Lawmaker slams call to introduce sex-education clinics in Bahrain
Manama: A Salafist lawmaker denounced the calling of a society to promote the establishment of clinics to enhance awareness on sex education and contraception methods to unmarried youth.
MP Jassim Al Saidi told Gulf News on Wednesday that such clinics were against Islamic regulations and could promote sinful relations, despite their aims to prevent sexual transmitted diseases among youth.
The President of Bahrain Youth Forum Fatima Ali published a statement in local newspaper in the first week of July, 2008, discussing a paper she presented at a gathering in Tunisia that called for the establishment of the clinics.
“Such statements shouldn’t be made as they are calling upon youth to be engaged in sexual relations outside the marriage-lock and defend such demands as ways to prevent diseases, while youth societies should promote the adults of the future to protect the Islamic principle to stay clean and healthy,” he explained.
---Gulf News
MP Jassim Al Saidi told Gulf News on Wednesday that such clinics were against Islamic regulations and could promote sinful relations, despite their aims to prevent sexual transmitted diseases among youth.
The President of Bahrain Youth Forum Fatima Ali published a statement in local newspaper in the first week of July, 2008, discussing a paper she presented at a gathering in Tunisia that called for the establishment of the clinics.
“Such statements shouldn’t be made as they are calling upon youth to be engaged in sexual relations outside the marriage-lock and defend such demands as ways to prevent diseases, while youth societies should promote the adults of the future to protect the Islamic principle to stay clean and healthy,” he explained.
---Gulf News
Friday, July 25, 2008
Bahrain: U-turn over strike
By BEGENA P PRADEEP
A PETITION will be signed by more than 6,000 nurses for increased salaries and more staff and presented to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, it was announced yesterday. Members of the Bahrain Nursing Society (BNS) had earlier threatened to spearhead a nationwide nurses' strike if demands weren't met.
President Rula Al Saffar had given the authorities a three-week ultimatum, though they have now decided to give them more time to review the matter.
Ms Al Saffar had reiterated earlier that nurses hoped to reach a solution without strike, but said they were prepared to follow through on their threat.
However, BNS secretary-general Ibrahim Al Demestani yesterday rejected the possibility of going on strike.
Sources told the GDN that the Health Ministry officials would investigate whether Ms Al Saffar had instigated the protest.
Society insiders said that they would not allow the ministry any such investigations as it did not come under the Health Ministry, but the Social Affairs Ministry.
More than 6,000 nurses will wear coloured ribbons from Sunday onwards as they step up their campaign for increased salaries and more staff.
They will wear orange ribbons for two weeks from Sunday, red ribbons for the next two weeks and black ribbons for the fifth and sixth week if their demands for a 50 per cent pay rise and more staff are still not met.
Further action will be planned at the end of the six weeks if there is still no positive response but a strike is not a possibility.
"We have already launched a petition and are asking nurses to join it," said Mr Al Demestani.
"We will then send it to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa requesting him to find a solution to our problem.
"We do not want to go on a strike because it is not in our interests.
"We understand a nurse's duty more than anyone else and don't need anyone to tell us that.
"We have an ethical responsibility towards our patients that would not allow us to leave them in their time of need.
"But the authorities must realise the importance of our role in society instead of taking advantage of our sense of duty.
"Going on an actual strike is so different from protesting in our own way without stopping work.
"We declare our disappointment against not being given what we actually deserve.
"But conveying our disapproval of how we are being treated should not be mixed up by going on strike.
"The nurses will definitely continue doing their duty.
"A Health Ministry official has been constantly promising us for a couple of years now as well as in the media that nurses will be upgraded to a professional level.
"Every time we try to follow up on the matter, we are assured that it is under process. But we've not got anything until now.
"We are fed up of waiting and have reached the limits of our patience.
Mr Al Demestani said that the society was hurt by the attitude of the nursing administration staff at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, health centres and maternity hospitals.
"They have ordered them not to wear the ribbons, threatening to suspend those who do for three days.
"If they continue to wear the ribbon even after this, their services would be terminated forever."
The Health Ministry employs 6,000 nurses, of whom 63pc are Bahrainis and 2,700 work within the ministry, and all start at a basic wage of BD300 a month.
However, the ministry declared the strike as "illegal" and threatened to hold Ms Al Saffar directly responsible if the nurses went ahead with the agitation.
Her announcement was in violation of the Trade Unions Law (Article 21), which prohibits strikes in the nursing sector, said the ministry.
The society started distributing coloured ribbons to their members yesterday evening.
---Gulf Daily News
A PETITION will be signed by more than 6,000 nurses for increased salaries and more staff and presented to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, it was announced yesterday. Members of the Bahrain Nursing Society (BNS) had earlier threatened to spearhead a nationwide nurses' strike if demands weren't met.
President Rula Al Saffar had given the authorities a three-week ultimatum, though they have now decided to give them more time to review the matter.
Ms Al Saffar had reiterated earlier that nurses hoped to reach a solution without strike, but said they were prepared to follow through on their threat.
However, BNS secretary-general Ibrahim Al Demestani yesterday rejected the possibility of going on strike.
Sources told the GDN that the Health Ministry officials would investigate whether Ms Al Saffar had instigated the protest.
Society insiders said that they would not allow the ministry any such investigations as it did not come under the Health Ministry, but the Social Affairs Ministry.
More than 6,000 nurses will wear coloured ribbons from Sunday onwards as they step up their campaign for increased salaries and more staff.
They will wear orange ribbons for two weeks from Sunday, red ribbons for the next two weeks and black ribbons for the fifth and sixth week if their demands for a 50 per cent pay rise and more staff are still not met.
Further action will be planned at the end of the six weeks if there is still no positive response but a strike is not a possibility.
"We have already launched a petition and are asking nurses to join it," said Mr Al Demestani.
"We will then send it to Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa requesting him to find a solution to our problem.
"We do not want to go on a strike because it is not in our interests.
"We understand a nurse's duty more than anyone else and don't need anyone to tell us that.
"We have an ethical responsibility towards our patients that would not allow us to leave them in their time of need.
"But the authorities must realise the importance of our role in society instead of taking advantage of our sense of duty.
"Going on an actual strike is so different from protesting in our own way without stopping work.
"We declare our disappointment against not being given what we actually deserve.
"But conveying our disapproval of how we are being treated should not be mixed up by going on strike.
"The nurses will definitely continue doing their duty.
"A Health Ministry official has been constantly promising us for a couple of years now as well as in the media that nurses will be upgraded to a professional level.
"Every time we try to follow up on the matter, we are assured that it is under process. But we've not got anything until now.
"We are fed up of waiting and have reached the limits of our patience.
Mr Al Demestani said that the society was hurt by the attitude of the nursing administration staff at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, health centres and maternity hospitals.
"They have ordered them not to wear the ribbons, threatening to suspend those who do for three days.
"If they continue to wear the ribbon even after this, their services would be terminated forever."
The Health Ministry employs 6,000 nurses, of whom 63pc are Bahrainis and 2,700 work within the ministry, and all start at a basic wage of BD300 a month.
However, the ministry declared the strike as "illegal" and threatened to hold Ms Al Saffar directly responsible if the nurses went ahead with the agitation.
Her announcement was in violation of the Trade Unions Law (Article 21), which prohibits strikes in the nursing sector, said the ministry.
The society started distributing coloured ribbons to their members yesterday evening.
---Gulf Daily News
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Higher education sector undergoes revamp
Higher education sector undergoes revamp
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
JEDDAH: Forty-five health colleges and five health institutes for girls that were hitherto under the Health Ministry would be brought under universities in respective cities, it was announced yesterday.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah approved the plan,” said Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari. He said the king has also approved the establishment of 17 new colleges in different parts of the country.
“Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie proposed the transfer plan in order for the ministry to focus on health services,” Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, the ministry’s spokesman, told Arab News.
Al-Anqari said the newly approved colleges were designed to meet labor market requirements. They include a college of administrative sciences and finance in Abha, two colleges of business administration in Arar and Jizan, a dental college in Jizan, three colleges in Rabigh for medicine, engineering, and computer science and information technology.
Rafha will get a college for pharmacology while Al-Ahsa will get a applied medical sciences college. A college of engineering will be opened in Dawadmi and a college of computer science and IT in Majmaa. A college of architecture and planning will be established at Qassim University, a college of languages in Najran University, a college of administrative sciences and tourism at Umm Al-Qura University and a college of Engineering at Imam University.
Al-Anqari said 20 education colleges for girls outside Riyadh would be shifted from the Women’s University in Riyadh to King Saud University. “These colleges are situated in towns that already house colleges of King Saud University and it will be easy for the university to supervise them,” Al-Anqari said. The community college in Al-Kharj has been shifted from Imam University to KSU on the same grounds.
“King Abdullah’s approval has also been received to open new departments at universities,” the minister said. They include departments for maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, preventive dental medicine and dental education at Taiba University’s College of Medicine, medical education department at Tabuk University’s College of Medicine, and department of architecture at the College of Engineering of Najran University.
Speaking about other decisions taken by the Higher Education Council and approved by the king, Al-Anqari said a nanotechnology center would be established at Taiba University in Madinah while a medical research center would be set up at Jizan University. Imam University will get an applied linguistics center while King Saud University’s College of Nursing will have a research center.
He said the terms of several university undersecretaries have been renewed for three years. They include Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Suwayan of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals; Dr. Saeed Mohamed Rafae of King Khaled University; Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Surrani, Dr. Talal Al-Halawani and Dr. Osama Abdul Aziz of Taiba University. Dr. Abdullah Al-Shathry and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Dawood have been appointed new undersecretaries at Imam University, and Dr. Saeed Aseeri at King Khaled University.
---Arab News
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
JEDDAH: Forty-five health colleges and five health institutes for girls that were hitherto under the Health Ministry would be brought under universities in respective cities, it was announced yesterday.
“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah approved the plan,” said Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari. He said the king has also approved the establishment of 17 new colleges in different parts of the country.
“Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie proposed the transfer plan in order for the ministry to focus on health services,” Dr. Khaled Al-Mirghalani, the ministry’s spokesman, told Arab News.
Al-Anqari said the newly approved colleges were designed to meet labor market requirements. They include a college of administrative sciences and finance in Abha, two colleges of business administration in Arar and Jizan, a dental college in Jizan, three colleges in Rabigh for medicine, engineering, and computer science and information technology.
Rafha will get a college for pharmacology while Al-Ahsa will get a applied medical sciences college. A college of engineering will be opened in Dawadmi and a college of computer science and IT in Majmaa. A college of architecture and planning will be established at Qassim University, a college of languages in Najran University, a college of administrative sciences and tourism at Umm Al-Qura University and a college of Engineering at Imam University.
Al-Anqari said 20 education colleges for girls outside Riyadh would be shifted from the Women’s University in Riyadh to King Saud University. “These colleges are situated in towns that already house colleges of King Saud University and it will be easy for the university to supervise them,” Al-Anqari said. The community college in Al-Kharj has been shifted from Imam University to KSU on the same grounds.
“King Abdullah’s approval has also been received to open new departments at universities,” the minister said. They include departments for maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, preventive dental medicine and dental education at Taiba University’s College of Medicine, medical education department at Tabuk University’s College of Medicine, and department of architecture at the College of Engineering of Najran University.
Speaking about other decisions taken by the Higher Education Council and approved by the king, Al-Anqari said a nanotechnology center would be established at Taiba University in Madinah while a medical research center would be set up at Jizan University. Imam University will get an applied linguistics center while King Saud University’s College of Nursing will have a research center.
He said the terms of several university undersecretaries have been renewed for three years. They include Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Suwayan of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals; Dr. Saeed Mohamed Rafae of King Khaled University; Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Surrani, Dr. Talal Al-Halawani and Dr. Osama Abdul Aziz of Taiba University. Dr. Abdullah Al-Shathry and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Dawood have been appointed new undersecretaries at Imam University, and Dr. Saeed Aseeri at King Khaled University.
---Arab News
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Qatar: New Qatar Cabinet Names Woman as Top Official
Qatar's ruler reshaped the cabinet to name a woman as top health official and create an environment ministry in the gas-exporting nation but kept key positions including energy, foreign affairs and finance unchanged.
The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani expanded the cabinet headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani to include 20 ministers compared with 14 in the previous government, a decree published by the official Qatari News Agency showed.
The reshuffle introduced seven new portfolios, replaced one minister and changed the portfolio of another.
One of the newcomers is a woman, a member of the ruling family, who was appointed as health minister. Her appointment increases the number of women ministers to two.
Qatar is a conservative Gulf Arab state, where tribal and Islamic traditions limit the role of women.
Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah kept his position at the helm of the OPEC exporter's large oil and gas industry. Qatar, which relies heavily on energy revenue, is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Youssef Kamal kept the portfolios of finance and economy in the Gulf nation struggling with near record inflation, but the commerce ministry which he oversaw in the previous cabinet was given to a member of the ruling family.
The new ministries introduced in the decree include a ministry for environment, another for culture and a third for international cooperation.
Qatar, which hosts hundreds of thousands of guest workers, said on Thursday its population had almost doubled since 2004 to more than 1.4 million.
Qatar, like fellow Gulf Arab nations, relies heavily on foreign labourers to power a construction boom and energy industry expansions.
The economy of Qatar, like in other Gulf oil exporting nations, is booming on an almost seven-fold increase in crude oil prices since 2002. In April Qatar produced 830,000 barrels per day in April according to a Reuters survey.
-- Reuters
The Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani expanded the cabinet headed by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani to include 20 ministers compared with 14 in the previous government, a decree published by the official Qatari News Agency showed.
The reshuffle introduced seven new portfolios, replaced one minister and changed the portfolio of another.
One of the newcomers is a woman, a member of the ruling family, who was appointed as health minister. Her appointment increases the number of women ministers to two.
Qatar is a conservative Gulf Arab state, where tribal and Islamic traditions limit the role of women.
Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah kept his position at the helm of the OPEC exporter's large oil and gas industry. Qatar, which relies heavily on energy revenue, is the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.
Youssef Kamal kept the portfolios of finance and economy in the Gulf nation struggling with near record inflation, but the commerce ministry which he oversaw in the previous cabinet was given to a member of the ruling family.
The new ministries introduced in the decree include a ministry for environment, another for culture and a third for international cooperation.
Qatar, which hosts hundreds of thousands of guest workers, said on Thursday its population had almost doubled since 2004 to more than 1.4 million.
Qatar, like fellow Gulf Arab nations, relies heavily on foreign labourers to power a construction boom and energy industry expansions.
The economy of Qatar, like in other Gulf oil exporting nations, is booming on an almost seven-fold increase in crude oil prices since 2002. In April Qatar produced 830,000 barrels per day in April according to a Reuters survey.
-- Reuters
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Bahrain: Ministry urged not to hire female doctors from abroad
Manama: A Bahraini doctor has urged the Health Ministry not to hire foreign female doctors, suggesting that it should invest in Bahraini female students instead.
“The ministry should give up the idea of bringing female doctors from abroad to address the shortage of women doctors in some departments. A foreign doctor will not come alone and will be accompanied by her husband and children and eventually by relatives,” Dr Taha Al Durazi, deputy head of the Bahrain Doctors Society, said on Wednesday.
“As a solution to ensure both a sufficient number of female doctors and the satisfaction of the patients, the ministry should annually allocate a specific number of scholarships to women in specialties that require female doctors,” Al Durazi said in a statement.
Faisal Al Hamad, Health Minister, last month said Bahrain had 1,064 foreign doctors in 2007, up from 960 in 2006. “We had 642 doctors in the public sector and 318 in the private sector in 2006. In 2007, we had 710 in the public hospitals and health centres and 354 in private clinics,” he said.
Bahrain has a shortage of female doctors in some specialties, prompting the authorities to hire doctors and nurses from abroad. The situation was compounded last April after a motion was tabled by Al Wefaq, the largest bloc in parliament, and supported by the Islamist-dominated Lower House, demanding that women patients be treated only by female medical staff.
The Bahrain Medical Society vehemently rejected the motion, and threatened to sue doctors who accepted the proposal banning opposite gender medical examination on the grounds of “violating the principles of medical practice and promoting sexual discrimination”.
Al Durazi said the number of Bahraini female doctors would be boosted, if the authorities provided up to four scholarships annually and encouraged female students to take up specific specialties. “Such a measure will help address the current accumulation of female doctors in some areas of expertise that has limited their numbers in other fields,” he said.
Most Bahraini female doctors prefer to study general or family practice medicine, but Al Durazi said more women were needed in other fields. “There are departments where more female doctors are required to deal with patients. Unfortunately, many women doctors do not like departments where there are late shifts or surgeries that could have negative results and eventually put heavy social burdens on women,” he said.
By Habib Toumi, Gulf News
“The ministry should give up the idea of bringing female doctors from abroad to address the shortage of women doctors in some departments. A foreign doctor will not come alone and will be accompanied by her husband and children and eventually by relatives,” Dr Taha Al Durazi, deputy head of the Bahrain Doctors Society, said on Wednesday.
“As a solution to ensure both a sufficient number of female doctors and the satisfaction of the patients, the ministry should annually allocate a specific number of scholarships to women in specialties that require female doctors,” Al Durazi said in a statement.
Faisal Al Hamad, Health Minister, last month said Bahrain had 1,064 foreign doctors in 2007, up from 960 in 2006. “We had 642 doctors in the public sector and 318 in the private sector in 2006. In 2007, we had 710 in the public hospitals and health centres and 354 in private clinics,” he said.
Bahrain has a shortage of female doctors in some specialties, prompting the authorities to hire doctors and nurses from abroad. The situation was compounded last April after a motion was tabled by Al Wefaq, the largest bloc in parliament, and supported by the Islamist-dominated Lower House, demanding that women patients be treated only by female medical staff.
The Bahrain Medical Society vehemently rejected the motion, and threatened to sue doctors who accepted the proposal banning opposite gender medical examination on the grounds of “violating the principles of medical practice and promoting sexual discrimination”.
Al Durazi said the number of Bahraini female doctors would be boosted, if the authorities provided up to four scholarships annually and encouraged female students to take up specific specialties. “Such a measure will help address the current accumulation of female doctors in some areas of expertise that has limited their numbers in other fields,” he said.
Most Bahraini female doctors prefer to study general or family practice medicine, but Al Durazi said more women were needed in other fields. “There are departments where more female doctors are required to deal with patients. Unfortunately, many women doctors do not like departments where there are late shifts or surgeries that could have negative results and eventually put heavy social burdens on women,” he said.
By Habib Toumi, Gulf News
Monday, June 16, 2008
Jordan: Stakeholders focus on improving women’s health across the region
AMMAN - Dozens of stakeholders are gathering in the capital this week to explore ways to enhance women’s and reproductive health efforts in the region.
In a workshop entitled, “Sharing Experiences and Learning from Successful Practices in Islamic Region”, which opened yesterday, participants will share their experiences, challenges and successes in implementing such projects in Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Minister of Health Salah Mawajdeh, Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Shigenobu Kato, and officials from the Higher Population Council and the Jordanian National Commission for Women attended the opening session yesterday, which focused on improving women’s health across the region and how to duplicate successful efforts guided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In particular, participants highlighted the success of a joint project entitled, “Enhancing Self-Empowerment of Rural Women in Karak- with a Reproductive Health Focus”, which was applied in the governorate by JICA and the Ministry of Health between 1997 and 2006.
In a sign of the project’s effectiveness, the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, released by the Department of Statistics last month, indicated that fertility rates in Karak Governorate stood at 3.2 births per woman in 2007, the lowest among the country’s governorates.
The difference is even more significant when compared to 4 births per woman recorded in Maan and Aqaba, JICA officials pointed out.
In light of success of the Karak project, JICA is now looking to expand further into the southern region, reaching out to six communities classified as poverty pockets in Maan and Aqaba, in an effort to promote family planning and lower fertility rates by 2011, JICA officials added.
The project has employed some 62 health assistants in Karak, Tafileh, Amman and Aqaba and by the conclusion of the third phase, will have covered 76 health centres, according to JICA.
The project is also currently drawing up manuals and training nurses in reproductive health in order to better serve their local communities.
The workshop, which will run until Thursday, will also take participants on field visits to health centres in the south of the Kingdom to see firsthand the programme in action.
JICA, an independent Japanese governmental agency, aids the Kingdom in the sectors of tourism development, environmental protection, water resource management, youth, social welfare and health.
By Taylor Luck, Jordan Times
In a workshop entitled, “Sharing Experiences and Learning from Successful Practices in Islamic Region”, which opened yesterday, participants will share their experiences, challenges and successes in implementing such projects in Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.
Minister of Health Salah Mawajdeh, Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Shigenobu Kato, and officials from the Higher Population Council and the Jordanian National Commission for Women attended the opening session yesterday, which focused on improving women’s health across the region and how to duplicate successful efforts guided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In particular, participants highlighted the success of a joint project entitled, “Enhancing Self-Empowerment of Rural Women in Karak- with a Reproductive Health Focus”, which was applied in the governorate by JICA and the Ministry of Health between 1997 and 2006.
In a sign of the project’s effectiveness, the Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, released by the Department of Statistics last month, indicated that fertility rates in Karak Governorate stood at 3.2 births per woman in 2007, the lowest among the country’s governorates.
The difference is even more significant when compared to 4 births per woman recorded in Maan and Aqaba, JICA officials pointed out.
In light of success of the Karak project, JICA is now looking to expand further into the southern region, reaching out to six communities classified as poverty pockets in Maan and Aqaba, in an effort to promote family planning and lower fertility rates by 2011, JICA officials added.
The project has employed some 62 health assistants in Karak, Tafileh, Amman and Aqaba and by the conclusion of the third phase, will have covered 76 health centres, according to JICA.
The project is also currently drawing up manuals and training nurses in reproductive health in order to better serve their local communities.
The workshop, which will run until Thursday, will also take participants on field visits to health centres in the south of the Kingdom to see firsthand the programme in action.
JICA, an independent Japanese governmental agency, aids the Kingdom in the sectors of tourism development, environmental protection, water resource management, youth, social welfare and health.
By Taylor Luck, Jordan Times
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Morocco: Morocco actively fighting cancer
Television campaigns in Morocco attempt to raise awareness that the early detection of breast cancer through screenings can result in a full recovery in 90% of cases.
The battle against cancer in Morocco has escalated in recent years. The number of those affected by the disease is still unclear, but specialists take on an estimated 30,000 new cases each year, 12,000 of which are treated in oncology centres.
Awareness-raising campaigns are increasingly widespread. The latest large-scale campaign on the importance of breast cancer screening is running throughout the month of May. This national campaign was launched by the Lalla Salma Cancer Research Association (ALSC) with a budget of 3.5 million dirhams. According to the programme organisers, some 7,000 breast cancer cases are reported each year – an average of twenty per day.
ALSC Executive Director Rachid Bekkaly told Magharebia that cancer remains little-known and screenings are approached with fear because the illness is associated with death. He stressed that cancer, if caught in its early stages, can be cured in 90% of cases, and that products for its treatment are available and provided free of charge for those on low incomes and those not already on treatment programmes.
"We want to encourage women to go for early diagnosis before the disease reaches its more serious stages," he said.
The current campaign is distributing information about the disease, to spur people into action on the early detection of breast cancer. In addition to posters and televised announcements, entertainers have become involved in the campaign, with a promotional song broadcast by TV channels and radio stations.
The chairman of the ALSC’s scientific committee, Moulay Tahar Alaoui, said the health ministry is working, in collaboration with the association, to develop oncology centres in several of Morocco's regions, with new clinics opening up in Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Agadir and very soon in Al Hoceima, to add to those in Rabat and Casablanca.
In addition, a drug-purchasing fund for the needy will be introduced to improve the accessibility of treatment.
Also as part of the national effort, the nation's first breast and cervical cancer screening centre was inaugurated May 6th at the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat. This flagship centre, set up by the ALSC, the health ministry and Rabat University Hospital (CHU), with support from the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaers regional council, can see up to 30,000 people per year. Patients are referred by the various health centres across the region for more specialised mammography, biopsy and colposcopy examinations, as well as for specialist gynaecological consultations.
The centre will make it possible to see patients flagged during screening, perform a diagnosis and then refer them on to specialists for treatment as needed.
Breast and cervical cancer were emphasised because, according to the ALSC, these two varieties affect 50% of cancer sufferers in Morocco.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia
The battle against cancer in Morocco has escalated in recent years. The number of those affected by the disease is still unclear, but specialists take on an estimated 30,000 new cases each year, 12,000 of which are treated in oncology centres.
Awareness-raising campaigns are increasingly widespread. The latest large-scale campaign on the importance of breast cancer screening is running throughout the month of May. This national campaign was launched by the Lalla Salma Cancer Research Association (ALSC) with a budget of 3.5 million dirhams. According to the programme organisers, some 7,000 breast cancer cases are reported each year – an average of twenty per day.
ALSC Executive Director Rachid Bekkaly told Magharebia that cancer remains little-known and screenings are approached with fear because the illness is associated with death. He stressed that cancer, if caught in its early stages, can be cured in 90% of cases, and that products for its treatment are available and provided free of charge for those on low incomes and those not already on treatment programmes.
"We want to encourage women to go for early diagnosis before the disease reaches its more serious stages," he said.
The current campaign is distributing information about the disease, to spur people into action on the early detection of breast cancer. In addition to posters and televised announcements, entertainers have become involved in the campaign, with a promotional song broadcast by TV channels and radio stations.
The chairman of the ALSC’s scientific committee, Moulay Tahar Alaoui, said the health ministry is working, in collaboration with the association, to develop oncology centres in several of Morocco's regions, with new clinics opening up in Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Agadir and very soon in Al Hoceima, to add to those in Rabat and Casablanca.
In addition, a drug-purchasing fund for the needy will be introduced to improve the accessibility of treatment.
Also as part of the national effort, the nation's first breast and cervical cancer screening centre was inaugurated May 6th at the Souissi Maternity Hospital in Rabat. This flagship centre, set up by the ALSC, the health ministry and Rabat University Hospital (CHU), with support from the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaers regional council, can see up to 30,000 people per year. Patients are referred by the various health centres across the region for more specialised mammography, biopsy and colposcopy examinations, as well as for specialist gynaecological consultations.
The centre will make it possible to see patients flagged during screening, perform a diagnosis and then refer them on to specialists for treatment as needed.
Breast and cervical cancer were emphasised because, according to the ALSC, these two varieties affect 50% of cancer sufferers in Morocco.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Morocco: 7,000 new breast cancer cases documented yearly in Morocco
Casablanca, Apr. 24 - About 20 new cases of breast cancer are declared daily in Morocco, that is 7,000 new cases a year, Dr. Rachid Bekkali, executive director of the Lalla Salma Association to Fight Cancer revealed on Thursday.
In order to contain the spread of this disease among women, the Association will, on Friday, launch a national campaign to raise awareness as to the importance of early cancer screening.
The USD 480,000 campaign, due to run until May, will target women aged above 45, as well as health professionals.
It will use posters, TV and radio commercials, as well as testimonies from patients, in addition to handing out leaflets to practitioners and the public, especially on self-examination of breasts.
The campaign will incite women to make early self-examination, the association executives said.
They stressed that 90% of the cases can be cured if discovered early, assuring of the existence of treatments that can be administered for free to poor patients.
-- Maghreb Arabe Press
In order to contain the spread of this disease among women, the Association will, on Friday, launch a national campaign to raise awareness as to the importance of early cancer screening.
The USD 480,000 campaign, due to run until May, will target women aged above 45, as well as health professionals.
It will use posters, TV and radio commercials, as well as testimonies from patients, in addition to handing out leaflets to practitioners and the public, especially on self-examination of breasts.
The campaign will incite women to make early self-examination, the association executives said.
They stressed that 90% of the cases can be cured if discovered early, assuring of the existence of treatments that can be administered for free to poor patients.
-- Maghreb Arabe Press
Thursday, April 24, 2008
UAE: Free screening a hit at Women's Healthcare
DUBAI - Scores of visitors to this week's Women's Healthcare exhibition are taking advantage of the free health screening and tests provided by exhibitors at the only dedicated health event for women in the UAE.
Women's Healthcare was launched this year to raise awareness about vital health issues for women residents in the country. While a range of health and well-being products and services are on offer, from cosmetic surgery advice to nutrition, the exhibition is also giving focus to life-threatening or debilitating illnesses which are prevalent in the UAE such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Being held at Zabeel Hall at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, Women's Healthcare is decked up with the latest health testing equipment where women could get their blood pressure checked and their body mass index confirmed, both of which are indicators of cardiovascular disease.
The other tests, such as checking blood sugar levels and bone mineral density, have proved to be popular with visitors wishing to screen for diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as the mammogram mobile screening unit brought in by Tawam Hospital.
The recent research by the organisers of the exhibition, IIR Middle East, has revealed that women residents are not really aware of the major health risks, such as cardiovascular disease with which more than a third of women worldwide currently live.
To help increase awareness about cardiovascular disease among women, Women's Healthcare and the Emirates Cardiac Society has launched the "Go Red for Women" campaign at the exhibition. Part of a global project, "Go Red for Women" aims to change the misconception that heart disease is a 'man's illness'.
In addition to testing their health, visitors have the opportunity to meet a wide range of healthcare professionals and specialists - from acupuncturists to representatives from private hospitals. Dental clinics are available to discuss both cosmetic and medical procedures and women can consult cosmetic surgery facilities about their services and what elective treatments would suit them.
- Khaleej Times
Women's Healthcare was launched this year to raise awareness about vital health issues for women residents in the country. While a range of health and well-being products and services are on offer, from cosmetic surgery advice to nutrition, the exhibition is also giving focus to life-threatening or debilitating illnesses which are prevalent in the UAE such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes.
Being held at Zabeel Hall at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, Women's Healthcare is decked up with the latest health testing equipment where women could get their blood pressure checked and their body mass index confirmed, both of which are indicators of cardiovascular disease.
The other tests, such as checking blood sugar levels and bone mineral density, have proved to be popular with visitors wishing to screen for diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as the mammogram mobile screening unit brought in by Tawam Hospital.
The recent research by the organisers of the exhibition, IIR Middle East, has revealed that women residents are not really aware of the major health risks, such as cardiovascular disease with which more than a third of women worldwide currently live.
To help increase awareness about cardiovascular disease among women, Women's Healthcare and the Emirates Cardiac Society has launched the "Go Red for Women" campaign at the exhibition. Part of a global project, "Go Red for Women" aims to change the misconception that heart disease is a 'man's illness'.
In addition to testing their health, visitors have the opportunity to meet a wide range of healthcare professionals and specialists - from acupuncturists to representatives from private hospitals. Dental clinics are available to discuss both cosmetic and medical procedures and women can consult cosmetic surgery facilities about their services and what elective treatments would suit them.
- Khaleej Times
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Jordan: Drive to promote nursing careers to women
AMMAN - A nationwide campaign tailored to attract young women to the nursing profession kicked off on Tuesday.
The campaign, which targets schoolgirls between the ages of 13 and 16, seeks to encourage women to take nursing jobs across the Kingdom, of which currently 70 per cent are held by men, Jordanian Nursing Council (JNC) Secretary General Daad Shokeh said yesterday.
Shokeh made her remarks at a ceremony launching the campaign yesterday held under the patronage of HRH Princess Muna.
Sponsored by the JNC and the USAID-funded SABEQ Programme, the campaign seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of opportunities available within the profession.
Experts in the field told The Jordan Times earlier the high cost of tuition at public and private universities was a leading factor behind the low number of students enrolling in nursing programmes. Experts added that private universities often accept a large number of male students who can work and afford the tuition.
As part of the programme, a website linked to the JNC homepage will be launched listing basic information on the field, benefits and privileges of the profession and job opportunities.
Under the campaign, seven “nurse ambassadors” will tour schools across the country to familiarise students with the benefits of the profession and share their personal success stories.
In addition, field visits to several hospitals will be arranged so that young women can observe the daily duties of real nurses.
Ikhlas Hammad, a nurse at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), who is also a nurse ambassador, said she was certain she can attract many young girls to study the profession.
“I will tell them how good the job is and the high demand for nurses in the labour market. I graduated on a Wednesday and was hired three days later,” Hammad told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.
Kawkab Shishani, associate professor in nursing at the Hashemite University, commended the campaign.
“There is a severe shortage in female nurses in the country and with the number of nurses expected to decrease in the long-term, we need to encourage more female students to study this field,” Shishani told The Jordan Times.
The campaign will not only target young women, but also reach out to their families to enhance perceptions of the profession, according to organisers.
“This goal will not be achieved overnight,” Rodrigo Ortiz, USAID/SABEQ chief of party, said.
“It is a process that will take considerable time and effort from all the stakeholders,” he added.
Also yesterday, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the USAID-funded SABEQ Programme and the JNC.
For his part, USAID Mission Director Jay Knott emphasised the importance of supporting women and their role in economic development.
“Within the framework of the various activities USAID carries out with its partners, an essential element is demonstrating the importance of the role of women in every sector of the economy; the medical services sector and nursing profession are no exception,” Knott said.
According to the Jordan Nursing Association, there are some 11,500 nurses in the country, of whom some 3,000 work in the public sector.
There are also around 3,500 nurses working abroad and 1,000 non-Jordanian nurses working in the Kingdom, according to the syndicate.
By Mohammad Ghazal, Jordan Times
The campaign, which targets schoolgirls between the ages of 13 and 16, seeks to encourage women to take nursing jobs across the Kingdom, of which currently 70 per cent are held by men, Jordanian Nursing Council (JNC) Secretary General Daad Shokeh said yesterday.
Shokeh made her remarks at a ceremony launching the campaign yesterday held under the patronage of HRH Princess Muna.
Sponsored by the JNC and the USAID-funded SABEQ Programme, the campaign seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of opportunities available within the profession.
Experts in the field told The Jordan Times earlier the high cost of tuition at public and private universities was a leading factor behind the low number of students enrolling in nursing programmes. Experts added that private universities often accept a large number of male students who can work and afford the tuition.
As part of the programme, a website linked to the JNC homepage will be launched listing basic information on the field, benefits and privileges of the profession and job opportunities.
Under the campaign, seven “nurse ambassadors” will tour schools across the country to familiarise students with the benefits of the profession and share their personal success stories.
In addition, field visits to several hospitals will be arranged so that young women can observe the daily duties of real nurses.
Ikhlas Hammad, a nurse at the King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), who is also a nurse ambassador, said she was certain she can attract many young girls to study the profession.
“I will tell them how good the job is and the high demand for nurses in the labour market. I graduated on a Wednesday and was hired three days later,” Hammad told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.
Kawkab Shishani, associate professor in nursing at the Hashemite University, commended the campaign.
“There is a severe shortage in female nurses in the country and with the number of nurses expected to decrease in the long-term, we need to encourage more female students to study this field,” Shishani told The Jordan Times.
The campaign will not only target young women, but also reach out to their families to enhance perceptions of the profession, according to organisers.
“This goal will not be achieved overnight,” Rodrigo Ortiz, USAID/SABEQ chief of party, said.
“It is a process that will take considerable time and effort from all the stakeholders,” he added.
Also yesterday, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the USAID-funded SABEQ Programme and the JNC.
For his part, USAID Mission Director Jay Knott emphasised the importance of supporting women and their role in economic development.
“Within the framework of the various activities USAID carries out with its partners, an essential element is demonstrating the importance of the role of women in every sector of the economy; the medical services sector and nursing profession are no exception,” Knott said.
According to the Jordan Nursing Association, there are some 11,500 nurses in the country, of whom some 3,000 work in the public sector.
There are also around 3,500 nurses working abroad and 1,000 non-Jordanian nurses working in the Kingdom, according to the syndicate.
By Mohammad Ghazal, Jordan Times
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Cancer Screening Targets 75,000 Qassim Women
JEDDAH — The Health Affairs Department in the Qassim Region has introduced a complete program for early detection of breast cancer. The program, staffed by women oncologists, pathologists and radiologists, targets 75,000 patients — aged 35 to 60 — in the region.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Habdan, executive director of the program, described the program, which began last year, as the first of its kind in the region. The Health Ministry is likely to expand the program to other regions after reviewing its success.
“There are five permanent centers and one mobile center in the program,” said Habdan. King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, King Saud Hospital in Unaizah, and the general hospitals in Al-Rass Bakeriya and Mudnib are permanent centers, he explained.
He said the program required special budget allocations in order to carry out its mission in an efficient manner and expand its services to other areas. “Some centers in the program still lack necessary equipment and medical facilities,” he explained.
“So far we have been able to cover 14 percent of targeted women in the region,” he said.
“We are providing comprehensive medical services to the targeted group. Patients are diagnosed by a multi-disciplinary-team (MDT) after taking mammograms,” he added.
Mammograms are the most important tool doctors have to help them diagnose, evaluate and follow women who have had breast cancer.
Safe and highly accurate, a mammogram is an X-ray photograph of the breast. The technique has been in use for about 30 years.
Leading experts including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society now recommend annual mammograms for women over 40. Detecting breast cancer early through mammography means many more women are being treated for breast cancer and are able to protect their breasts.
“Under this program we have so far been able to detect four cancer cases in the early stages. We also found some non-cancerous tumors in some women,” Habdan said. “In order to avoid possible mistakes, mammography images are checked by three experts,” he added.
Habdan emphasized the significance of the program in the wake of growing breast cancer cases among Saudi women as a result of both hereditary and environmental factors.
“We have a relatively young population and we recommend mammography for women aged 35 and 60 every 18 months,” he said.
A public awareness campaign was organized in the region as part of the program in order to enlighten women on the benefits of early diagnosis.
A well-equipped vehicle with oncologists and other experts tours remote areas of the region that do not have hospitals or health centers in order to provide mammography tests.
Breast cancer accounts for 20 percent of all cancers among Saudi women. “About 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers are thought to be familial and only two-thirds to three-fourths of these cases are due to an inherited mutation,” one expert said.
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
Dr. Mohammed Al-Habdan, executive director of the program, described the program, which began last year, as the first of its kind in the region. The Health Ministry is likely to expand the program to other regions after reviewing its success.
“There are five permanent centers and one mobile center in the program,” said Habdan. King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Buraidah, King Saud Hospital in Unaizah, and the general hospitals in Al-Rass Bakeriya and Mudnib are permanent centers, he explained.
He said the program required special budget allocations in order to carry out its mission in an efficient manner and expand its services to other areas. “Some centers in the program still lack necessary equipment and medical facilities,” he explained.
“So far we have been able to cover 14 percent of targeted women in the region,” he said.
“We are providing comprehensive medical services to the targeted group. Patients are diagnosed by a multi-disciplinary-team (MDT) after taking mammograms,” he added.
Mammograms are the most important tool doctors have to help them diagnose, evaluate and follow women who have had breast cancer.
Safe and highly accurate, a mammogram is an X-ray photograph of the breast. The technique has been in use for about 30 years.
Leading experts including the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society now recommend annual mammograms for women over 40. Detecting breast cancer early through mammography means many more women are being treated for breast cancer and are able to protect their breasts.
“Under this program we have so far been able to detect four cancer cases in the early stages. We also found some non-cancerous tumors in some women,” Habdan said. “In order to avoid possible mistakes, mammography images are checked by three experts,” he added.
Habdan emphasized the significance of the program in the wake of growing breast cancer cases among Saudi women as a result of both hereditary and environmental factors.
“We have a relatively young population and we recommend mammography for women aged 35 and 60 every 18 months,” he said.
A public awareness campaign was organized in the region as part of the program in order to enlighten women on the benefits of early diagnosis.
A well-equipped vehicle with oncologists and other experts tours remote areas of the region that do not have hospitals or health centers in order to provide mammography tests.
Breast cancer accounts for 20 percent of all cancers among Saudi women. “About 10 to 15 percent of all breast cancers are thought to be familial and only two-thirds to three-fourths of these cases are due to an inherited mutation,” one expert said.
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News
Friday, February 1, 2008
Saudi Arabia: Women-Only Hospitals: Who Will Rule the Roost, Idealists or Pragmatists?
JEDDAH, 1 February 2008 — Would having hospitals run exclusively by women — from doctors to janitors — be a better environment for women? This is a proposition that the Ministry of Health is currently studying.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, recently proposed the establishment of women-only hospitals during a symposium in Riyadh entitled “Applying religion in medical issues.” Describing intermingling of sexes at hospitals as a “disaster” that infringes upon the modesty of Muslim societies, the mufti said medical professionals should only treat patients of the same gender except in time of emergencies.
Dr. Khaled Mirghalani, official spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said the ministry was considering the establishment of such hospitals, but he added that the move has nothing to do with the mufti’s recommendation.
“The ministry has been considering women-only hospitals for a long time. Such hospitals would be for specialties related to women, such as gynecology and obstetrics, but would have male staff. However, women employees will have preference,” he said.
Mirghalani said the Kingdom was not self-sufficient in terms of the number of Saudi doctors it needs. Only 20 percent of total doctors in the Kingdom are Saudi. “Having women-only hospitals is still being studied. More girls might consider going to medical schools when they are guaranteed that they can work in a women-only environment. But this is not a necessity now as there are already a large number of girls enrolling in medical schools, especially at the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Medicine is after all a humane job and it must be thought of in that way,” he added.
The idea of having single-gender hospitals has attracted mixed reactions from women. Some women feel such hospitals would be convenient, while others are against them.
“I don’t think this is a good idea. We all live on one planet so we cannot segregate the genders. If the Holy Mosque in Makkah, which is the holiest place on earth, does not segregate women, then why would the Ministry of Health want to segregate them?” said Maha Al-Nuwaisser, 26.
Al-Nuwaisser said doctors should not be selected according to their gender. She added that she would go to professional doctors who would be able to diagnose her problem and give her the best treatment, regardless of their gender.
“I prefer doctors who are professional in studying my situation and solving my problem, regardless of whether they are male or female. I cannot imagine a men’s hospital without female nurses and doctors, and I also cannot imagine women’s hospitals without men playing a role in them,” she added.
Amani Henaidi said she would prefer using a women’s only hospital. “It would be more practical and easier. Since it is possible, then why not?” she said. “Of course it would be more private, because I don’t have to worry about hijab while I’m in pain and all of those things,” she said.
“There is only one advantage and that is the issue of privacy,” said Hana Omar, adding that some male doctors are more professional than women. Omar believes that women-only hospitals would be good for women-related illnesses, such as breast cancer.
Fatima said such hospitals would “only serve those conservative close-minded people who would leave their wives to die because there is no woman doctor on the night shift.”
Samia asks whether other women-only establishments have been successful. She said that women-only shopping centers in Jeddah have been unsuccessful in attracting women. The idea of employing saleswomen in lingerie shops has also been unsuccessful. “Hospitals include maintenance team, engineers, and other staff other than doctors and nurses. How would the minister of health tour women-only hospitals? How could that be possible? What would the situation in case of a fire or other emergencies when the interference of men is necessary?” she asked.
These questions and others have to be answered since the Health Ministry spokesman said the proposal was still under the study. Arab News tried continuously to contact other officials in the ministry for further information, but they were not reachable.
- Lulwa Shalhoub, Arab News
Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, recently proposed the establishment of women-only hospitals during a symposium in Riyadh entitled “Applying religion in medical issues.” Describing intermingling of sexes at hospitals as a “disaster” that infringes upon the modesty of Muslim societies, the mufti said medical professionals should only treat patients of the same gender except in time of emergencies.
Dr. Khaled Mirghalani, official spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said the ministry was considering the establishment of such hospitals, but he added that the move has nothing to do with the mufti’s recommendation.
“The ministry has been considering women-only hospitals for a long time. Such hospitals would be for specialties related to women, such as gynecology and obstetrics, but would have male staff. However, women employees will have preference,” he said.
Mirghalani said the Kingdom was not self-sufficient in terms of the number of Saudi doctors it needs. Only 20 percent of total doctors in the Kingdom are Saudi. “Having women-only hospitals is still being studied. More girls might consider going to medical schools when they are guaranteed that they can work in a women-only environment. But this is not a necessity now as there are already a large number of girls enrolling in medical schools, especially at the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Medicine is after all a humane job and it must be thought of in that way,” he added.
The idea of having single-gender hospitals has attracted mixed reactions from women. Some women feel such hospitals would be convenient, while others are against them.
“I don’t think this is a good idea. We all live on one planet so we cannot segregate the genders. If the Holy Mosque in Makkah, which is the holiest place on earth, does not segregate women, then why would the Ministry of Health want to segregate them?” said Maha Al-Nuwaisser, 26.
Al-Nuwaisser said doctors should not be selected according to their gender. She added that she would go to professional doctors who would be able to diagnose her problem and give her the best treatment, regardless of their gender.
“I prefer doctors who are professional in studying my situation and solving my problem, regardless of whether they are male or female. I cannot imagine a men’s hospital without female nurses and doctors, and I also cannot imagine women’s hospitals without men playing a role in them,” she added.
Amani Henaidi said she would prefer using a women’s only hospital. “It would be more practical and easier. Since it is possible, then why not?” she said. “Of course it would be more private, because I don’t have to worry about hijab while I’m in pain and all of those things,” she said.
“There is only one advantage and that is the issue of privacy,” said Hana Omar, adding that some male doctors are more professional than women. Omar believes that women-only hospitals would be good for women-related illnesses, such as breast cancer.
Fatima said such hospitals would “only serve those conservative close-minded people who would leave their wives to die because there is no woman doctor on the night shift.”
Samia asks whether other women-only establishments have been successful. She said that women-only shopping centers in Jeddah have been unsuccessful in attracting women. The idea of employing saleswomen in lingerie shops has also been unsuccessful. “Hospitals include maintenance team, engineers, and other staff other than doctors and nurses. How would the minister of health tour women-only hospitals? How could that be possible? What would the situation in case of a fire or other emergencies when the interference of men is necessary?” she asked.
These questions and others have to be answered since the Health Ministry spokesman said the proposal was still under the study. Arab News tried continuously to contact other officials in the ministry for further information, but they were not reachable.
- Lulwa Shalhoub, Arab News
Monday, January 28, 2008
Saudi Arabia: US University Explores Possible Links
JEDDAH — A high-level team from the University of Colorado is in the Kingdom to explore the possibilities of collaborating, and developing joint programs, with Saudi universities. Invited by Zuhair Hamed Fayez, an alumni of the university and president of Zuhair Fayez Partnership, the Jeddah-based architectural and IT consultants, the team is led by Dr. M. Roy Wilson, chancellor of the university’s campus in Denver.
Topping the list of potential tie-ups is a plan for an architecture program leading to a bachelor’s degree in the subject at Dar Al-Hekma College for Girls (DAHC) in Jeddah. Fayez is currently chairman of the trustees of the college.
The Colorado team includes the dean of the university’s college of architecture and planning, Dr. Mark Gelernter, as well as two other members of the college. A memorandum of understanding between Colorado University and DAHC on helping establish an architecture department as well as cooperation on the existing interior design degree through a possible exchange of students may be signed soon.
At Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University, the Colorado team discussed the possibility of collaborating with the existing faculty of environmental design. The faculty’s original curriculum was based on one developed by Harvard University.
In Riyadh, the team will visit King Saud University before flying on to the Eastern Province to investigate possibilities there.
One area in which Dr. Wilson is particularly interested in establishing collaboration is medicine. Colorado University at Denver is currently building a multibillion-dollar dedicated medical campus on a former military base in nearby Aurora. When finished, it will be one of the largest and most prestigious education, patient care and research centers in the US.
- Michel Cousins, Arab News
Topping the list of potential tie-ups is a plan for an architecture program leading to a bachelor’s degree in the subject at Dar Al-Hekma College for Girls (DAHC) in Jeddah. Fayez is currently chairman of the trustees of the college.
The Colorado team includes the dean of the university’s college of architecture and planning, Dr. Mark Gelernter, as well as two other members of the college. A memorandum of understanding between Colorado University and DAHC on helping establish an architecture department as well as cooperation on the existing interior design degree through a possible exchange of students may be signed soon.
At Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz University, the Colorado team discussed the possibility of collaborating with the existing faculty of environmental design. The faculty’s original curriculum was based on one developed by Harvard University.
In Riyadh, the team will visit King Saud University before flying on to the Eastern Province to investigate possibilities there.
One area in which Dr. Wilson is particularly interested in establishing collaboration is medicine. Colorado University at Denver is currently building a multibillion-dollar dedicated medical campus on a former military base in nearby Aurora. When finished, it will be one of the largest and most prestigious education, patient care and research centers in the US.
- Michel Cousins, Arab News
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