In conjunction with World Heart Day which is observed every year on 29 September, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched the “Salamat” initiative to raise the awareness of its employees about the early detection of hypertension disorders and highlight the risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The first such initiative aims to improve workplace environments and contribute to promoting the health life quality of the employees.
Self-measured blood pressure devices will be available in various places inside MoHAP’s buildings in Dubai so that the employees can regularly check their blood pressure, while the results will be sent by email alongside health tips. Those who have warning signs will be directed to visit the health centre to receive the necessary health care.
The initiative-related awareness corner includes a screen to promote the initiative and the national indicator of cardiovascular diseases, in addition to displaying tips and instructions on how to make use of the initiative.
Culture of early detection
HE Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation and Chairman of the Executive Committee of National Indicators of Cardiovascular Diseases said ‘Salamat’ initiative aims at improving workplace environments, promoting the health quality of life of our employees, and adopting innovation and AI, in line with the standard policy and strategic plan of the national indicator of cardiovascular disease.
This comes as part of MoHAP’s efforts to design programs aimed at enhancing the culture of early detection of high blood pressure to reduce its complications and to improve the outcomes of the strategic indicator of reducing high blood pressure, according to the objectives of the National Agenda 2021 and the national plan for non-communicable diseases.
Al Serkal went on saying: “We strive to launch executive projects and plans that provide sustainable solutions to health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, as well as increase the rate of early detection and rapid diagnosis and provide world-class preventive and therapeutic services as per the best international practices, evidence-based academic research, and WHO recommendations.”
Promoting self-responsibility
Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of the Specialized Care Department, said: “One of the objectives of this initiative is to promote self-responsibility in the prevention field. The initiative will be expanded to cover all the medical districts and we are in the process of creating an AI-based program to analyze the blood pressure results and provide virtual health advice to offer our employees the best prevention methods.”
She added that the initiative aims primarily to raise the staff awareness about this disease and to guide them to get health consultations, so that they can avoid serious complications, explaining that hypertension disorder is one of the most main causes of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease, which can be prevented through early detection and rapid intervention.
The significance of heart health
World Heart Day aims to raise global awareness about curbing heart disease-related risk factors and empower the individuals to induce positive changes in their life to protect heart health and reduce cardiovascular disease-related mortalities. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, engaging in physical activity, cutting down caffeine consumption, eating healthy food, eating less saturated fat, sugar, and salt, drinking an adequate amount of water, and avoiding stress and anxiety.