With the global death toll now over 2.2 million, Covid-19 has a grip on our lives. However, other deadly infections still urgently require the world's attention – and subsequent action.
Neglected Tropical Diseases or NTDs are a group of ailments found in parts of some developing countries that affect more than 1 billion people annually. In some regions of Asia, Africa and South America, the range of conditions that make up NTDs include river blindness, elephantiasis and snail fever.
Saturday was a day dedicated to talking about the threat, bringing together more than 300 partner organisations from 55 countries to spur efforts to end NTDs. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, highlighted the importance of this fight on the first World NTD Day, raising awareness of such diseases so that we can help defeat them in the near future.
These diseases are often preventable and occur in low-income communities that are afflicted with several problems, from a lack of clean water and sanitation to inadequate health care.
For its part, the UAE has supported the eradication of these diseases and for decades has financially assisted the most stricken nations in this endeavour. The UAE's commitment to beating disease goes back more than 30 years. Since 1986, the US-based Carter Centre pioneered the campaign to wipe out dracunculiasis, known as Guinea worm disease. Back in 1990, Founding Father Sheikh Zayed contributed $5.8 million to its efforts and helped prevent an estimated 80 million cases of the disease. Further to this cause of ending preventable diseases, Reaching the Last Mile, a 10-year, $100m initiative was established in 2017 by Sheikh Mohamed, along with other supporters such as Bill and Melinda Gates and the UK. There are clear signs of hope, such as with Guinea worm disease – there were a mere 28 cases reported last year globally. That compares to 3.5 million in 1986. Such examples show us what can be achieved and why we must keep going until the overall goals are achieved.
But despite efforts to conquer NTDs, last year the Covid-19 pandemic unsurprisingly derailed some of the momentum, given how it monopolised health care resources and continues to draw almost all our focus. The onus is now on the world's most privileged stakeholders to help renew these commitments and tackle these preventable ills. The World Health Organisation this week unveiled a plan to tackle 20 diseases by 2030. The aim is for a minimum of 100 countries to have eliminated at least one NTD.
With co-ordinated efforts and the tenacity to defeat these diseases, future generations stand a chance in life and don't have to be stricken by these conditions. Clean water, sanitation, hygiene and quality health services are not only bare minimum requirements for human sustenance, they also go a long way to counter NTDs.
Fortunately, many of the most common NTDs can be treated for less than $0.50 per person. We should seize the opportunity to eradicate these diseases that devastate families, set back generations, and rob societies of health and progress. If we start by spreading awareness, we help the cause.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
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On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
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The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
