The health education and promotion department, primary health care sector, under the umbrella of the ministry of health organized the “healthy heart campaign” in Deira City Center and in cooperation with Majid Al Futaim Charity Foundation.

Dr. Fadheela Al Sherif, Director of the Health Education and Promotion Department, said: The campaign aims to raise the health awareness standards among the society members of the dangers of health and vascular diseases. It coincides with the celebration of the World Health Organization of the world heart day on 29th September 2014 under the theme “Heart Choices NOT Hard Choices”. The campaign seeks for enabling the society to make positive changes that would contribute to the reduction of heart diseases, strokes and associated risk factors such as high blood pressure, tobacco, physical inactivity and unhealthy foods”.

Dr. Al Sherif revealed that the campaign also highlights the dangers of heart and vascular diseases especially that it is the number one killer disease all over the world and approximately 2.5 million people die of it annually. The disease costs 60% of the . The disease costs 60% of financial burden in the country and will be one of the major death causes by the year 2020.

Additionally, Dr. Fawzia Al Ali, Campaign Coordinator and head of health education team in the primary health sector in the Ministry of Health, said: “The campaign includes a number of free tests such as blood sugar, blood pressure, BMI, carbon monoxide for smokers, continuing from 25th September till 2nd October, we will also present health education consultations to the public and distribute materials about the healthy lifestyles, in order to encourage the community members to avoid chronic diseases generally and heart disease specifically”.

Dr. Al Ali elaborated that the campaign will be also organized in various shopping centers and hospitals: Deira City Center, Mirdiff City Center, Ajman City Center, Al Qassimi Hospital, the Ministry of Health location in Dubai, Economic Department in Sharjah, Ajman Municipality.