Healthcare | Tuesday 1 November, 2016 6:15 am |

Numerous healthcare facilities in the capital, Abu Dhabi, organized different educational activities to raise awareness on breast cancer throughout the month of October. Attracting thousands of participants from the community from all ages, activities varied from social gatherings to health talks and seminars, sports activities, and other events hosting community figures.

Taking part in the nation-wide activities and in cooperation with the health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi attracted over 2100 females in its series of health talks, and communicated with over 6000 individuals in different public events. The hospital was also lit in Pink throughout the month of October to create a momentum amongst patients and in the surrounding area.

 

With 20 different health talks presented by Danat Al Emarat physicians in October, 2000 breast screening invitations were presented to women attending the hospital’s talks.  About 300 women have participated in the hospital’s weekly talks that were organized at the hospital, and another 800 women took part in several talks organized in collaboration with organizations from different sectors including some government authorities, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and others. 

 

Aiming to reach out to girls in the younger age group, the hospital partnered with a number of universities including New York University Abu Dhabi and Paris Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and different schools including GEMS Academies, Al Mamoura Academy, a number of government schools, and others. 1,000 female students from schools and universities over the age of 16 years attended Danat Al Emarat’s health talks.

 

Over 6000 leaflets about breast self-examination and the importance of early detection were distributed in public events that attracted a large number of participants including the 2016 ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink 5&10K Run and some sports activities at the Yas Circuit in Abu Dhabi

 

Moreover, the hospital hosted the leading media personality and motivational speaker, Mrs. Fadia Al Taweel in a special networking event on October 20 at the hospital. Mrs. Al Taweel spoke to women about her battle against cancer and how she defeated it until full recovery.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 and spoke about what she went through during treatment and how she decided to face her disease, live with it and fight it with positivity, determination and willpower. She emphasized the importance of early detection and the necessity of undergoing regular checkups.

 

Dr. Mohammed Abdullatif, Breast Imaging and Radiology Specialist at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, highlighted that the hospital’s campaign was in cooperation with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi and that the Women’s Diagnostic and Breast Imaging Center at Danat Al Emarat Hospital is accredited by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi for breast screening. 

 

Dr. Aseel Al Youzbaki, Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, who gave a lecture attended by Fadia Al Taweel at the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi said, “Through such talks in the community, we aim to urge women to adopt healthy lifestyles, perform monthly self-examinations and undergo necessary tests during different stages in their life.”

 

Vino Nallaya, CEO of Danat Al Emarat Hospital said, “Education on breast cancer doesn’t stop by the end of October. Our activities and community outreach goes on all year long whether on breast cancer or other health topics including chronic diseases, cervical cancer screening, diabetes, obesity, children’s health and more.”