M42, Reem Hospital to launch ‘Nafas' mental health platform
ABU DHABI (WAM)M42's Digital Health Solution (DHS) platform, represented by Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), and Reem Hospital, have entered a joint venture (JV) agreement to launch Nafas, a pioneering mental health platform and service dedicated to the residents and citizens of Abu Dhabi.The agreement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of M42's Digital Health Solution platform, Kareem Shahin, and the Chairman of Reem Hospital Zaid Al Siksek.Nafas - meaning 'breathing' in Arabic - is envisioned to be a pioneering mental health platform for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This collaboration combines the established digital health expertise of ADHDS with the end-to-end clinical expertise of Reem Hospital in order to offer comprehensive mental health services to the community.The platform will leverage ADHDS' robust digital health technology solutions, enabling Reem Hospital's clinical capabilities to provide a holistic approach to mental health care that is easily accessible to patients.With the mission of offering accessible, high-quality and discreet mental health support, Nafas will serve as a comprehensive resource for mental health services and solutions across Abu Dhabi.Nafas will bring together a full spectrum of mental health support in one seamless platform. From secure one-to-one virtual therapy sessions with easy booking and reminders, to round-the-clock chat support and a rich library of multilingual content, Nafas will offer individuals the tools they need to navigate their mental well-being.It will play a transformative role in Abu Dhabi's mental health landscape, removing barriers to care and fostering a safe, supportive environment, enabling more people to seek the help they need, when and where they need it most.Commenting on the venture, Shahin said, 'Nafas will provide a comprehensive mental health platform that empowers residents and citizens of Abu Dhabi to take control of their mental well-being in a secure and convenient environment.""Using the UAE as a launchpad, our ambition is to expand this platform internationally, reaching a wider user base and supporting people all around the world to combat mental health conditions," he said.
Al Siksek commented, 'Mental health is a key component of overall health, and through Nafas, we are excited to offer accessible, high-quality mental health services that will benefit all members of our community. This partnership represents a significant step forward in advancing mental health care in Abu Dhabi and beyond.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
4 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Al Qasimia University fosters student growth through programmes
Human development and social support As part of its focus on human development and psychological and social wellbeing, the Student Happiness Council took part in the seminar 'Life Has Taught Me', addressing key topics such as understanding emotions, managing relationships, and strengthening the concept of social support. The session equipped students with tools for mindful handling of everyday challenges. Academic enrichment Several students joined the specialised 'And Allah Teaches You' course in Sharia sciences, which earned praise for its depth of knowledge and clear presentation of fundamental religious concepts. Students from the design department participated in a project to design the pulpit of Al Zubair Mosque in Al Dhaid, as part of a comprehensive plan to refine artistic skills in Islamic design and ornamentation. Self-awareness and personality development The University Guidance Department organised an interactive session titled 'Your Personality… Passion and Secrets' for female dormitory students, featuring personality analysis tests and motivational recommendations to help them discover and develop their strengths. Environmental awareness A workshop on 'Recycling' highlighted the importance of sustainability and individual responsibility towards the environment, with hands-on training in reusing materials for creative projects. Artistic creativity The university's art studio launched summer courses in Arabic calligraphy and acrylic painting, led by expert artists, covering landscape and academic scene painting to develop students' aesthetic sense. Students also took part in two distinctive workshops — 'Coloured Woodworks' and 'Bracelet-making Art' — where they learned wood-painting, metal-shaping, and jewellery-making techniques, producing high-quality artworks. Environmental responsibility In collaboration with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, the 'Terrarium' workshop was held at Sharjah's Islamic Botanical Garden, including an educational tour on plants mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, followed by a practical session to design miniature glass gardens. Health and safety training The Student Activities Department, in cooperation with Kuwait Hospital, organised an advanced course in first aid and CPR, addressing fainting, fractures, and burns, with extensive practical training. In partnership with the Emirates Creativity Society, the Deanship of Student Affairs held an interactive workshop titled 'Creativity and Innovation', giving students an open space for creative thinking, teamwork, and the development of entrepreneurial ideas. Health awareness campaigns The deanship launched the 'Step Towards Health' initiative with the Student Clinic, featuring a sports race and health-awareness activities, while a health platform run with the Ministry of Health and Prevention addressed heat exhaustion risks and balanced nutrition, offering free medical check-ups. A group of female students joined the 'Cultural Message' event at the Holy Qur'an Complex in Sharjah, part of Sharjah Public Libraries' Centennial of Libraries programme. They discussed Islamic civilisation's contributions, participated in Arabic calligraphy and geometric art workshops, and presented works that embodied authenticity and innovation. University vision in action Her Excellency Ahlam bin Jarsh, Assistant Director of Al Qasimia University for Female Students' Affairs, stressed the importance of these integrated programmes in supporting the university's educational and social mission. She noted that the diversity of activities aims to achieve balance between academic, psychological, and social development, directly supporting the university's strategic plan to build an aware, cultured generation that is committed to its values and capable of actively contributing to community development.
Middle East Eye
6 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Nine killed while waiting for aid in Gaza, four bodies recovered
At least nine Palestinians have been killed while waiting for humanitarian aid across the Gaza Strip, according to a source at Al-Shifa Hospital, speaking to Al Jazeera Arabic. Four bodies were also recovered near the Netzarim axis, south of Gaza City, an area heavily targeted by Israeli forces in recent weeks. The killings come as Palestinians continue to risk their lives queuing for food and basic supplies amid Israel's ongoing blockade and attacks on aid distribution points. Rights groups have condemned repeated strikes on crowds waiting for humanitarian assistance, accusing Israel of systematically denying aid and using starvation as a weapon of war.
Middle East Eye
01-08-2025
- Middle East Eye
'You can see his bones': In Gaza, parents struggle against child starvation and Israeli war crimes denial
The photo of an 18‑month‑old Palestinian infant from Gaza, his body resembling a "skeleton" with ribs and spine clearly visible, spread rapidly across the internet over the past week. Widely shared by international media outlets, including the BBC, CNN and The New York Times, the image sparked global outrage. It also created controversy. Israel and its supporters argued that the infant had "pre‑existing health problems." That has been the basis of claims by supporters of Israel to claim that starvation in Gaza is a "lie." Middle East Eye visited the child and his mother in their makeshift tent in western Gaza City. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The child's mother Hidaya recalled her story from her home in a makeshift tent in what was once a wedding hall looking out to the sea. "When the war on Gaza began, I was seven months pregnant with Mohammed," she said, referring to her child, Mohammed al-Mutawaq, whose image has become a symbol of the human cost of Israel's tactic of starving civilians. "He was born in December 2023, at the height of the attacks and during the second month of the first starvation campaign. No, a Gaza toddler having cerebral palsy does not mean Israeli starvation is a 'lie' Read More » "When I gave birth to him, he suffered from a lack of oxygen that caused slight muscle weakness," she added. Despite those early issues, Mohammed was treated by a physiotherapist and showed promising signs of good health. "He began showing remarkable improvements that the doctors were astonished by," Hidaya said. When Mohammed was two months old, Hidaya began to suffer from malnutrition and the child stopped breastfeeding on his own, and a new struggle began to get milk and baby formula. "We managed to secure milk through hospitals during the first months and throughout the first starvation campaign." Hidaya said. "Back then, his father was still alive, he used to bring us milk before he was killed in an Israeli attack. Mohammed's health was still slowly improving in this period and he was reaching a number of milestones. "He even began to speak, saying 'amma' and 'abba'," Hidaya said, using the Arabic words for "mummy" and "daddy." He had even started crawling and standing by early 2025, but then the family were again forced out of Jabalia. Since then, Mohammed's health has rapidly deteriorated. His weight has fallen from nine kilograms to less than six, and the progress he had made in muscle strength and mobility has reversed. Hidaya says her son, Mohammed al-Mutawaq, can no longer hold his head up due to the effects of starvation (MEE/Hani Abu Rezeq) "When I began noticing the changes in my son's body and face, I took him to several hospitals, but they told me his only treatment at that time was food," Hidaya said. "They said he needed proper nutrition. "A child like him needs milk, eggs, cheese, vegetables and fruits. "But since he came into this world, he has never even known what fruit is. He came into life in the midst of starvation and deprivation of resources." 'Severe acute malnutrition' Doctors told Hidaya that Mohammed now suffers from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most severe form of malnutrition. They warned that without urgent and consistent access to proper nutrition and medical care, his life will remain at constant risk. But Hidaya has already begun noticing alarming changes in her toddler. At the start of July, he was taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe dehydration. Israeli starvation death toll approaches 150 as formula shortage threatens babies in Gaza Read More » "I reached a point where I thought he was dead. I used to press my head to his chest, hoping to hear his heartbeat. He wouldn't move, and he had severe diarrhoea. "I believe he was poisoned by the unclean soup kitchen food we relied on as a substitute for proper meals," Hidaya said. Mohammed was taken to a hospital where he was diagnosed with dehydration and given medication that improved his health slightly. Still, Hidaya was told by doctors that there would be no real improvement in his health until he had access to proper food. Despite his vulnerability, the hospital discharged Mohammed so it could make room for other children. Like Mohammed, hundreds of children are currently lying ill and famished in Gaza's hospitals, diagnosed with severe malnutrition. According to Unicef, from the start of 2025 until May, an average of 112 children were diagnosed daily with acute malnutrition. The UN agency reported that over 6,500 children were diagnosed with acute malnutrition in June, and 5,000 children received the same diagnosis in the first two weeks of July alone. Widespread food insecurity Unicef warned that the entire population of the Gaza Strip was food insecure, while all children under five, which amounts to more than 320,000 children, are at risk of becoming acutely malnourished. "Mohammed learned to walk (but) now he can no longer even sit up on his own. "He can't hold his head steady, and he barely moves his legs. Right now, he's barely able to move his arms," Hidaya told MEE. "If I hadn't seen him crawl and stand before, I might have thought his current condition was due to other health issues. 'If I hadn't seen him crawl and stand before, I might have thought his current condition was due to other health issues' - Hidaya, mother of Mohammed al-Mutawaq "His condition was mild, and he was making progress. Only after we couldn't secure him milk and food did he start to deteriorate like this." Today, when Mohammed wakes Hidaya up crying for milk at night, she soothes him with water. "There are days we go to bed without eating anything. Sometimes, we go four days in a row without food. "There is no baby food, milk, or nutritional supplements available at all. And if they are found in the market, the prices are unimaginably high because they are very scarce," she added. "I became the sole provider for two children after my husband was killed, so it is incredibly difficult to afford food at such prices. "My son has literally become a skeleton. You can see his bones, his ribcage, and his spine through his skin, all because of the lack of food." In addition to the struggle of securing milk, Hidaya now faces the challenge of finding nappies for her toddler, as Israel also blocks hygiene products from entering the besieged territory. As a last resort, she uses plastic bags. "I wrap him in two plastic bags to prevent leakage. You can imagine, in the blazing summer heat, especially while living in a tent, the pain this causes him, and the rashes and skin problems the nylon inflicts on a baby's sensitive skin," she said. "I don't know what kind of life he was brought into. I cannot even secure the bare minimum that the rest of the world takes for granted. "The occupation is fighting us through starvation. They are fighting our children."
