Abu Dhabi // Health officials have dismissed a report that all expatriates re-entering the UAE after holidays would need medical certificates proving they do not have the H1N1 virus.
The Ministry of Health released a statement via the state news agency, WAM, yesterday. It came shortly after an English newspaper printed the claim, quoting an unnamed source within the ministry.
Dr Ali Ahmed bin Shakar, the director general of the ministry and a member of the National Committee for Combating Swine Flu, said the story was "completely untrue".
He said his committee was dedicated "to standards set out by the World Health Organisation in fighting the H1N1 virus".
The newspaper report had said that every expatriate returning to the UAE after a summer holiday would need to present a medical certificate proving he or she did not have the H1N1 virus. It did not explain who would issue the certificates and verify them or why the policy would not be applied to Emiratis.
The report also indicated that employers and sponsors had the right to cancel the visas of any workers found to be "intentionally concealing" an infection.
Dr bin Shakar said this was also totally untrue and dismissed the claim that the committee had taken a decision to place thermal cameras in malls. "The idea was not even included on the agenda of the two committees," he added.
"We are working on implementing a plan in co-operating with other government departments," Dr bin Shakar said, "especially the higher education department and Islamic regulation department."
He added that the committee was handling all issues regarding the virus with "transparency and clarity".
"We do this because they want to make sure that all people remain healthy," he said.
The UAE has 125 confirmed cases of swine flu, according to the ministry. There are 35 people still receiving treatment in hospitals.
According to the Eastern Mediterranean regional office of the World Health Organisation, the total number of cases in the region is more than 1,100, with one death reported in Egypt and another in Saudi Arabia.
Last week the regional office drew up a resolution that called on member states to "rationalise the use of antiviral medicines" and "develop a national pandemic vaccination strategy including vaccine deployment".
munderwood@thenational.ae
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
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Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially