DUBAI // More than 300 labourers gathered at Dubai Industrial City yesterday for a health-awareness initiative organised by the Pakistan Association Dubai.
The men received free medical check-ups that featured tests of their blood-sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure.
Dental and eye checks as well as hepatitis C screenings were also part of the campaign. Participants also heard about the importance of good hygiene and diet, and had the chance to have their body mass index – a measure of the amount of fat in one’s body – checked.
Staff from City Hospital, The American Hospital, Northwest Clinic Dubai and NMC Healthcare volunteered to offer the screenings to labourers.
Dr Nighat Aftab, who heads medical charitable efforts at the association, said it had been almost three years since it started organising the health campaigns.
The association also hosts monthly events at its premises in Dubai, where specialist doctors offer free check-ups and consultations to workers.
Most of the people who gathered for yesterday’s awareness campaign were found to be in good health.
“These people are really healthy and clean,” said Dr Aftab. “Few people had high blood pressure and sugar, but many had muscular problems.”
However, not all labourers that the volunteers visited were in such good health, the doctor said. High blood pressure, muscular and skin problems were common issues.
For Chandra Bahdur, who works on the packaging line of a cake-making factory, the campaign was a welcome opportunity to have a free medical.
“It is good,” said the 32-year-old from Nepal, who last saw a doctor six months ago when he was suffering from a fever.
Also in line was Mr Bahdur’s production manager, Muhammad Awais, who was there to encourage colleagues to participate.
“It is a free check-up,” he said. “It is very good to do these kinds of events in Dubai.”
Dr Omar Al Muthanna, chief executive officer of the regulatory licensing department of the Community Development Authority, also attended.
He said the Pakistan Association Dubai was one of 36 licensed non-profit organisations, registered with the authority.
“What is thrilling for us to see here is how the Pakistan Association is successful in instilling responsibility in the community to come and deliver social and healthcare activities,” he said.
“Dubai is a city willing to give, and Ramadan just exemplifies this notion.”
The association has a host of other activities in operation during the holy month, including food distribution to needy families and visits to prisons.
vtodorova@thenational.ae
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
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The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Freedom Artist
By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
The specs: Audi e-tron
Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
Engine: Twin electric motors and 95kWh battery pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Power: 408hp
Torque: 664Nm
Range: 400 kilometres
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
