The Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University (RAK MHSU) organised a variety of activities as part of RAK Community Health Care Day, aimed at raising health awareness and to spread knowledge on the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle.

RAK Municipality director general Mubarak Ali Al Shamsi inaugurated the event held under the patronage of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, crown prince and deputy ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and chancellor of RAK MHSU.

The students of the RAK College of Nursing marked the International Nurses Day by holding a candle lighting ceremony on the occasion.

Speaking at the function, Al Shamsi said that health care challenges of modern times necessitated the launch of efficient and innovative public health awareness programmes and enhancing effectiveness of healthcare delivery systems.

Congratulating the University for organising the event, Al Shamsi said, 'RAK MHSU has once again demonstrated its commitment to the society by making available its expertise and knowledge to the general public in an endeavour to enhance public perception of various health care issues.'

Dr S Gurumadhva Rao, vice chancellor of RAK MHSU, said, “As the first integrated health sciences university in UAE offering all the four health sciences programmes, RAK MHSU is committed towards playing an active role in the healthcare sector of the country.'

'The community health care day programme is an effort to raise public awareness, especially about diseases like obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases, which could be averted to a great extent through changes in lifestyle, regular exercises and stress reduction,” Rao added.

He said that creating more private and public sector linkages in the health sector, including collaborations between government, universities and corporate sector, was vital for having a cost effective and efficient healthcare delivery system in the country.

The exhibition provided an opportunity for the public to receive free screenings for body mass index and blood glucose estimation apart from body fat analysis and blood pressure tests.

The University staff and students also offered advice and counseling on adopting healthy diet plan and other lifestyle changes.

The exhibition featured separate stalls for Diabetes and Nutrition, Food Safety, Stem Cells and Gene Therapy and Oral Health Care. The Community Health Care Day programme also featured debates, quiz programme and skits highlighting various health issues.

Dr Yasser Al Nuaimi, director of continuing medical education (CME), ministry of health, health care professionals from various hospitals in the emirate and students attended the programme.-TradeArabia News Service