News

Medcare Predicts Four-Fold Rise in Breast Cancer Screenings for October

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2024

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Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres, group has announced rolling out the third edition of its annual breast cancer screening and awareness program this October and is on track to screen over 700 women this year. The month-long campaign, running from October 1 to 31, is led by Medcare Women & Children Hospital and will run across all of Medcare’s hospitals & Medical Centres. Offering a special screening package that includes a consultation with a specialist and the choice of an ultrasound or mammogram screening, Medcare’s mostly women-led facility, Medcare Women & Children Hospital, is encouraging mothers and women to prioritize their health. Medcare’s approach has always been about educating the public towards the prevention of illnesses and lifestyle improvements while making screenings affordable to the wider public.

Commenting on the screening program, Internal Medicine Specialist and Medical Director of Medcare Women & Children Hospital and Medcare Medical Centers, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Hameed said “We are happy to announce the third edition of Breast Cancer Campaign, following the huge success of previous years’ programme that witnessed a threefold increase over the last 2 years. We are delighted to see that women are responding so well to our educational program and really taking ownership of their health. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in UAE, however, it is also one of the most curable types of cancers if identified and treated in its early stages. We are all about empowering and enriching the lives of our patients through supporting them to make informed decisions about their health.

“Early detection is critical in improving survival rates and treatment outcomes for breast cancer, and we are proud to empower women to take control of their health. The campaign aims to eliminate the hesitation women may feel towards breast cancer screening by offering convenient and affordable service, delivered by a team of highly qualified gynecologists, general surgeons, and breast health experts,” added Dr. Brian Mtemererwa, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical Director at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital

Out of the 504 women screened last year, 10% were found to have “suspicious” abnormalities that required further investigation as these abnormalities could either have be pre-cancerous or in actuality be malignant. Additionally, nearly 30% of women screened, showed minor benign abnormalities, including clustered round calcifications and fibroadenomas. For women found with abnormalities, our specialists recommended biopsies and follow-up consultations with surgeons, ensuring that patients received the necessary care if needed. Many participants were advised to return for repeat screenings within six months to monitor their progression.

Worldwide the age bracket of women being diagnosed with breast cancer has been dropping. For instance, one of the patients who came to Medcare Women & Children Hospital for her screening, Ms Jessica Abou Jaoude, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the prime of her life, being only 30 years old. Having no previous family history of breast cancer and living a healthy lifestyle, the news came as a complete shock to her.

“Breast cancer can be detected at any age, even with no family, or personal history. Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, the risk is real. I was happily living life till one day I found a lump in my breast while self-evaluating. I was sure it was nothing to worry about but still decided to get myself screened anyway. I received the shocking diagnosis and the rest is history. Had I waited and delayed my screening, I probably would not have made it. Through early detection and taking the right steps to investigate my small lump, I have saved my own life. I am happy to share my positive experience with Medcare as a breast cancer advocate, and encourage all women out there to get over the fear and have themselves evaluated. I now live a healthy and happy life with a long future ahead.

Food

Abu Dhabi to ban junk food from supermarket checkouts and entrances

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2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Shoppers in Abu Dhabi will soon see fewer chocolates, crisps, sugary drinks and other unhealthy snacks at supermarket entrances, checkout counters and other high-visibility locations under a new policy aimed at encouraging healthier eating habits.

From January 1, 2027, supermarkets larger than 4,000 square feet and online grocery platforms will no longer be allowed to prominently display food and drinks classified as high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) under the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre’s SEHHI nutrition classification system.

The initiative, led by Healthy Living in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) and supported by several government entities, is designed to make healthier choices easier without restricting what people can buy.

Under the new rules, HFSS products cannot be displayed at store entrances, end-of-aisle promotions or checkout areas. Online retailers must also remove these products from homepage promotions, search recommendations, pop-up advertisements and checkout pages.

Authorities stressed that the products are not being banned. They will remain available in their usual aisles, allowing shoppers to purchase them while reducing impulse buying driven by prominent placement.

Officials said the policy is based on behavioural science and international best practices to create shopping environments that naturally encourage healthier decisions.

Retailers across Abu Dhabi are preparing for the changes ahead of the mandatory deadline, with some stores already implementing the new placement standards across their stores in the emirate.

The initiative forms part of Abu Dhabi’s wider preventive health strategy, which focuses on reducing lifestyle-related diseases by embedding healthier choices into everyday life.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

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2 days ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.

Education

Emirates recruits UAE students to turn retired aircraft into new products

Published

3 days ago

July 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Engineering has launched a new programme giving UAE university students the chance to transform retired aircraft materials into innovative products while gaining hands-on experience with the airline’s engineering teams.

Called Material Futures Studio, the six-week initiative is led by Emirates Engineering’s Upcycling department. It aims to inspire the next generation of aviation engineers by challenging students to find creative new uses for materials recovered from retired aircraft.

The first edition brings together 23 students from Khalifa University, Emirates Aviation University and the University of Sharjah.

Students began the programme with an orientation session and a behind-the-scenes tour of Emirates Engineering’s facilities in Dubai, where they met senior leaders, explored aircraft maintenance operations and visited the airline’s upcycling workshop to see how retired aircraft materials are already being turned into new products.

How the programme works

Over six weeks, participants will develop concepts and prototypes using materials recovered from retired aircraft, with guidance from Emirates Engineering specialists throughout the design and development process.

The programme will conclude with a showcase where students present their final ideas and prototypes.

According to Emirates, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by giving students practical engineering experience while enabling the airline to tap into fresh ideas and emerging talent.

Part of Emirates’ sustainability efforts

Material Futures Studio builds on Emirates’ wider sustainability strategy and its multi-billion-dollar aircraft retrofit programme.

The airline is currently refurbishing 219 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, one of the largest retrofit projects in the aviation industry. Rather than discarding materials removed during the upgrades, Emirates Engineering has been repurposing them into new products through its in-house upcycling projects.

These include the Aircrafted by Emirates collection of limited-edition luggage, bags and accessories made from reclaimed aircraft materials, as well as Aircrafted KIDS, which transforms retired aircraft fabrics into backpacks for children. Emirates says more than 4,000 backpacks have already been donated to children in 11 countries.