President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday set out the UAE's commitment to advancing health care as a crucial “investment in society's future”.
On World Health Day, the UAE leader emphasised the importance of “promoting a culture of healthy living” across the Emirates.
Sheikh Mohamed also underlined the UAE's support for international efforts to harness science and innovation to combat pressing health challenges.
“Investing in health is an investment in society’s future,” Sheikh Mohamed posted on social media platform X.
“On World Health Day, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to prioritising health care and promoting a culture of healthy living in our communities.
“We also remain dedicated to supporting international efforts aimed at addressing global health challenges through science and innovation for the benefit of all.”
UAE has taken significant strides to bolster health care both at home and abroad in recent years, including rolling out key strategies to encourage healthier living and helping to fund global programmes aimed at limiting and wiping out disease.
Healthcare drive
In March, the UAE launched the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, which aims to serve as a platform to deliver life-changing care to those in need all over the world.
The foundation will invest in health systems to boost workforces in less wealthy nations and provide new equipment to help tackle preventable diseases. It is hoped its programmes will reach more than 500 million people in more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East over a five-year period.
The Emirates is also embracing new technology under a long-term drive to enhance preventive health care and improve patient outcomes.
In January, United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain established the Stem Cells Research Centre to bolster the country's standing as a global leader in regenerative medicine.
The centre aims to develop a “new generation” of Emirati scientists to spur progress in stem cell therapy.
It will seek to bolster research into stem cell therapy, boost manufacturing capabilities and establish international partnerships to support the stem cell market in the Middle East, which is expected to grow from $711.8 million in 2024 to $1.3 billion by 2030.
The UAE has sought to broaden access to critical health care services through the national expansion of insurance coverage.
A basic health insurance plan for all private sector and domestic workers in the country who do not have coverage went live on January 1.
The scheme extended mandated health insurance provision – already in place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – to employees in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
The announcement by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation established a nationwide standard for health insurance, which was previously left to the discretion of each emirate. This meant coverage provided by employers for workers was optional in the Northern Emirates.
World Health Day is observed on April 7 each year – the date on which the World Health Organisation was formed in 1948 – and each year seeks to highlight a specific health topic of concern globally.
This year the occasion will be the launch pad for a year-long campaign focused on maternal and newborn health.
The initiative – called 'Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures', will urge governments and the health community to step up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritise women’s longer-term health and well-being.
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WITHIN%20SAND
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Moe%20Alatawi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Ra%E2%80%99ed%20Alshammari%2C%20Adwa%20Fahd%2C%20Muhand%20Alsaleh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
more from Janine di Giovanni
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
