Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE
Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE
Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE
Ousama Alhaj, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE

Think Lungs campaign - one million steps forward



By Ousama Alhaj, general manager and head of human pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim, Near East and UAE

Breathing is one of life’s most basic acts - so automatic that we rarely think about it. Yet our lungs, which tirelessly keep us alive around the clock through every waking and sleeping moment, often go unnoticed in conversations about health.

One million steps. One purpose.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an umbrella term for more than 200 chronic, progressive lung conditions that scar the lungs and make breathing difficult. These diseases have no cure, and for most, the cause remains unknown. Despite this, the lack of awareness is perhaps the most significant challenge patients face.

Many ILD patients are diagnosed months or even years after experiencing symptoms like a persistent dry cough or breathlessness. By then, the disease has often progressed too far. Imagine the fear, confusion, and isolation of being diagnosed with a condition no one seems to really understand.

The lack of awareness around a disease creates barriers to early diagnosis and treatment, which is why Boehringer Ingelheim launched the ‘Think Lungs’ campaign to change the narrative. It all started with a movement – a movement of taking one million steps together as a community to encourage everyone to take charge of their lung health, understand not-so-rare interstitial lung diseases, and improve overall understanding of the disease.

Following the social media activation, a striking lung installation unveiled at Dubai's Miracle Garden in February served as a powerful visual reminder of the need to think about lungs. Surrounded by credible information, this installation became a catalyst for change, urging visitors to prioritize lung health and take proactive steps towards a better understanding of ILD.

The initiative sparked a movement, uniting communities in a collective effort to improve lung health awareness. Through our efforts, we envision a world where:

· Early diagnosis becomes the norm, enabling timely intervention and improved outcomes for those affected by ILD.

· Individuals are empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their lung health.

· Stigma is eliminated in communities to foster a supportive environment, allowing those living with ILD to navigate their journey with dignity, support and hope.

Every step counts and every conversation helps. Together, we can create a world where lung health is no longer an afterthought, and every breath truly matters.

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One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
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2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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Updated: February 26, 2025, 8:03 AM