The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah have wrapped up another successful edition of their Heat Exhaustion Prevention Campaign. Held under the theme “Your Safety Is Our Goal,” the campaign kicked off last June and targeted over 6,000 workers at different workplaces across Sharjah.
Organised in collaboration with federal, local, and private sector partners, the campaign aimed to heighten community awareness of the risks associated with high temperatures, equip workers with preventative tools to combat heat-related illnesses, and recognise their hard work during the summer months.
A Collaborative Strategy
Coinciding with the UAE’s midday work ban in exposed areas, the campaign is part of the Ministry’s strategy to enhance public health, foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and experience exchange among stakeholders, reinforcing productive partnerships to advance the Ministry's goals for a healthier quality of life in the UAE.
Promoting Heat Safety
The campaign included a series of educational lectures at various workplaces, where workers learnt about the dangers of heat exhaustion, its symptoms, and first aid response. It also introduced preventive practices to help workers avoid reaching critical levels of heat stress. Complementing these educational efforts, the campaign provided free medical check-ups—including vision, blood pressure, blood sugar, and dental assessments—and distributed personal sun protection kits, food, water, and gifts, catering to a workforce of diverse nationalities.
Campaign Locations
Field visits were conducted across key Sharjah locations where workers gather, including Khorfakkan Club for the Disabled, the Cement Factory in Al Saja’a, Dibba Al Hisn Cultural Centre, Kalbaa University, Al Dhaid Cultural and Sports Club, Al Hamriyah Cultural and Sports Club, Hamriyah Free Zone, and Sharjah Sports Club.
Occupational Safety Standards
Sheikh Eng. Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Prevention and Safety Authority in Sharjah, emphasised that the health and well-being of workers in the Emirate of Sharjah is a top priority, adding that cooperation among institutions and companies across the emirate is very necessary to uphold the highest standards of occupational health and safety. This collaboration, he noted, is essential for creating a safe and healthy work environment, which in turn boosts worker productivity and supports sustainable economic development in the emirate.
Sheikh Khalid also highlighted that the Prevention and Safety Authority is committed to continuously developing and enhancing regulations and procedures related to occupational safety and health, aligning with global developments in this field. He urged all companies operating in Sharjah to register in the Sharjah Occupational Safety and Health System via the Authority’s website and to immediately report any safety-related incidents, including those caused by heat stress.
Successful Initiative
For his part, Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, Director of MoHAP Representative Office in Sharjah, stressed that the campaign has successfully achieved its objectives, which are part of the Ministry's strategy to prevent diseases through innovative initiatives that enhance individual quality of life and promote healthy lifestyles.
He noted that strategic collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors played a vital role in reaching thousands of workers across various locations, reflecting the collective commitment to providing a safe and healthy work environment.
Al Zarooni added, “The campaign is a humanitarian initiative that showcases our values of social responsibility, safeguarding the health and safety of the community, especially workers who are regularly exposed to sunlight. It focuses on raising awareness of heat exhaustion risks and related illnesses, in line with government directives to protect workers’ rights, ensuring their safety, and maintaining a healthy work environment—standards that align with those set by the World Health Organisation.”
Promoting health awareness
Meanwhile, HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department at Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, stated that the campaign has played an essential role in raising health awareness and providing community guidance to enhance overall well-being—a strategic objective of the Council.
She emphasised that the Council is committed to supporting health education initiatives by organising lectures and workshops aimed at disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles throughout the Emirate of Sharjah.
Saif added, "The success of the campaign highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving national health objectives, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for all workers. This aligns with the government's vision to enhance community health and safety, and it motivates us to continue these efforts to sustain preventive initiatives that protect workers during the summer season from health-related challenges."
Partners
Partners supporting the Heat Exhaustion Prevention Campaign included the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Emirates Health Services (EHS), Sharjah Sports Council, Labour Standards Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Department of Municipal Affairs, Sharjah Charity International, Sharjah Coop, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (SBA), Prevention and Safety Authority, Sharjah Volunteering Center- Social Services Department, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Fast Building Contracting, Al Jaber Optical, Medcare Group, Aster Healthcare, and Zulal Water Factory, Gaelan Hospital, Pharmaceutical Distribution Company (PDC Drug Store LLC).