21,795 people screened for breast cancer, Pink Caravan 2011 - 2013 statistics

April 27, 2013

Pink_CaravanSharjah, Apr 27:The Pink Caravan, the breast cancer awareness initiative by the Friends of Cancer Patients charitable organisation (FOCP), has released a report detailing the results of their early detection breast cancer screening programme for the period 2011 to 2013.

The report reveals that during the period of the 2013 Pink Caravan Ride, the campaign’s mobile clinics provided free early detection breast cancer testing to a total of 3,991 women and 1,029 men. This brings the combined number of screenings for the past three years to 16,345 women and 5,450 men, coming to a total of 21,795 screenings in all.

Speaking about the statistics, Dr Sawsan Al Madhi, Secretary General for Friends of Cancer Patients charitable organisation (FoCP) and Head of the Pink Caravan’s Medical and Awareness Committee, said “A point of special interest has been the increase in awareness amongst men with regards to breast cancer, as can be seen from the more than 100% increase in men opting to be screened in 2013, when compared to the 476 screenings done on men in 2012. We take this as clear evidence that the Pink Caravan has been making a real community wide impact and are very pleased to see that we have been able to remove some of the stigma that has traditionally surrounded the disease.”

The report further showed a balanced demographic between Emiratis and expatriates being tested in 2013, with 2,541 Emiratis and 2,479 expatriates opting to be screened.

This brings the final figures for the three years to 7,623 Emiratis and 14,172 residents. It is however of note that the difference in numbers between these two groups has been steadily narrowing. In 2011 there were approximately three expatriates that were screened for every one Emirati. In 2012 it became three expatriates that were screened for every two Emiratis, and in 2013 the rate is very nearly one on one.

Of the individuals that took part in testing in 2013, 1,194 were referred to undergo mammograms and a further 189 were referred to undergo ultrasound imaging, bringing the total number of referrals made by the Pink Caravan’s medical teams to 6,800 mammograms and 900 ultrasounds respectively.

The Pink Caravan campaign, which runs annually under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and under the directives of Shaikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of regular self-examination in combating the disease, as well as to raise funds towards acquiring a mobile 3D mammogram clinic, which will provide free tests to citizens and expatriates.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 24,2020

Abu Dhabi: A senior Hindi teacher at Sunrise School in Abu Dhabi has died of coronavirus, it has been confirmed. Anil Kumar, 50, passed away on Sunday morning, May 24.

The sad and shocking demise of Mr Kumar, a senior Hindi teacher of Sunrise School on May 24, has left the entire Sunrise family in a pall of gloom, read a statement.

“The management, administrators, other faculty members, students and the school as a whole is struck with intense sorrow and is speechless.

“The bond that he had developed over the years, just as how we have with each faculty, makes the loss unbearable. The entire SEPS family is shaken and finds it hard to come to terms with this most saddening news.

“Anil Kumar was a very inspiring teacher. He always brought a creative aspect to the classes he handled and would make it an enjoyable class to attend to. Mr. Anil Kumar had a great way of motivating his students to do their best, and pushed them to be the best they could be. He was a great strength and support to the Department of Hindi, always willing to scaffold and mentor students and teachers. He was a very approachable man, warm and friendly at heart and that is something I will truly miss about Mr. Anil.

“Mr Anil Kumar has left behind his wife and two children. Mrs. Rajini, his wife is also a member of the school family. She is a faculty of the maths department. Our prayers and sincere condolences to each and every one of the family. May God give the strength to endure and face this most challenging phase of their life.”

It is learnt Mr Kumar fell ill with COVID-19 and had been in hospital since May 7.

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Agencies
May 7,2020

A patient in hospital with Covid-19 has given birth to a healthy baby boy in Dubai.

The 25-year-old Indian was admitted to Al Zahra Hospital after testing positive on May 2.

Although the baby was not due to arrive until May 19, the woman went into labour three days later and delivered a healthy boy weighing 3.8kg.

The parents are yet to name the child, who has also been tested for the virus.

“When we first received the Covid-19 positive diagnosis, we were afraid for the health of both my wife and the baby,” said the boy’s father, who did not want to give his name.

“Thankfully with the help of the doctors and nurses at Al Zahra Hospital, my son was born with no complications and my wife remains in stable condition.

“We couldn’t be more grateful.”

Despite arriving two weeks early, both mother and child are doing well but will only be allowed to leave the hospital to return to their home in Dubai after they return three negative tests on the trot.

“The contractions started very suddenly and it all happened very quickly,” said Al Zahra Hospital nursing director Maysoon Yousef.

“The delivery took about 10 to 15 minutes which is something we do not see very often.

“There were no complications and both the mother and baby are in good condition.”

Strict measures are in place to ensure hygiene for those inside the hospital, as well as visitors.

The new mum and her son are in the same room as the baby needs to be nursed.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a US national public health institute, there is no evidence that suggests the virus can be transmitted through breastfeeding.

New mothers infected with the virus should wear a mask, wash their hands before and after touching the baby.

“We operate by the latest Covid-19 international and local guidelines when it comes to the management of our maternity patients and otherwise,” said Dr Ghassan Lutfi, head of obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital.

“We take strict measures to guarantee that there is no risk of cross contamination and that all our patients are in safe hands.”

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News Network
May 2,2020

Dubai, May 2: Saudi Arabia has confirmed 1,362 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country to 25,459, the Ministry of Health reported Saturday.

In the daily media briefing, the ministry announced 7 more deaths and 210 new recoveries, raising the total number of fatalities and recoveries to 176 and 3,765, respectively.

Out of the 1,362 new cases reported today, 249 were confirmed in Medina, 245 in Jeddah, 244 in Mecca, 161 in Riyadh, in addition to 126 infections in Dammam, 81 in Khobar and 80 in Jubail.

Dr. Mohammed Al Abd Al Aly, spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health reiterated that so far there was no evidence that hot weather will curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities continue to urge people to stay at home unless necessary despite having relaxed some restrictions and curfews at the start of Ramadan.

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