Latest news with #AlQusais
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Some Qurbani prices start at Dh12,000, surge up to 80% ahead of Eid Al Adha
Muhammed Azam, an Indian expat and engineer working at a payment gateway firm, was taken aback when he visited the Al Qusais cattle market on Saturday evening. The reason? The prices of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid Al Adha had jumped far beyond his expectations. 'I bought a Somali ox for about Dh6,000 in 2023, and it weighed almost 450kg. But now, the same size starts at Dh10,000. That's over a 60 per cent increase,' said Azam. He had traveled to his hometown in Kerala in Eid 2024 and missed last year's market pricing. 'I thought I could manage with a budget of Dh10,000 this year. But here, even the goats are starting from Dh1,200,' he added. Khaleej Times visited Al Qusais livestock market and spoke to several buyers and sellers, who confirmed the sharp price increase. Compared to just two years ago, the cost of sacrificial animals has increased by 60 to 80 percent. At the market, here are the current prices: Significant price jump Pakistani resident Abdul Shakoor, who was visiting the market to buy a sacrificial animal for Eid Al Adha, said this is the third year he has been buying from the same seller, and the price jump is significant. 'Two years ago, I paid around Dh1,600 for a decent goat. Now, they are asking Dh2,800 for the same size — and that's after bargaining,' he said. 'This Eid is important to us, but it's getting harder for middle-income families to afford the qurbani (sacrifice). I might have to share with a friend and buy an ox,' he added. Why have prices increased? Mohammed Usman, a livestock trader from Pakistan who has been selling animals in the UAE for eight years, explained that the price hike was inevitable this year. 'We are getting animals from suppliers at much higher rates. (Costs for) feed, transport, taxes have all increased. For example, transporting animals from Pakistan or India is much more expensive than it was three years ago,' he said. Traders also pointed to the limited availability of animals. 'There is high demand this year and limited supply. Prices rise automatically when there are more buyers and fewer animals,' he added. Lala Khan, another trader at the market, said he has been in Dubai for fifteen years and hasn't seen this kind of price increase before. 'We have sold goats for Dh500 to Dh700 in previous years. Now, even the smallest Somali goat is at least Dh1,000 to Dh1,200. People are angry, but we also have no choice,' he said. With prices expected to rise further as Eid approaches, shoppers are advised to book early. 'Demand for sacrificial animals is huge now, and buyers have already started purchasing. Due to the surge in demand, prices may rise even more as Eid Al Adha nears,' said Khan.
Gulf Business
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Dubai: RTA makes vehicle inspection appointments mandatory from June 2
Image: RTA Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that starting June 2, booking an appointment will be mandatory for all vehicle inspections at technical testing centres across the emirate. The new system is accessible via the 'RTA Dubai' mobile app and the RTA For customers who prefer not to book in advance, an optional walk-in service will remain available at 19 centres, subject to an additional service fee of Dhs100. Centres offering vehicle inspection services through appointments However, eight centres will only offer inspection services through pre-booked appointments, with no walk-in option. These include Wasel Al Arabian Centre & Nad Al Hamar, Shamil Al Adid, Al Muhaisnah and Nad Al Hamar, Al Mumayaz Vehicle Testing Al Mizhar, and Tasjeel Al Tawar and Al Mankhool. Introduction of vehicle inspection appointments follow pilot phase of project The expansion follows the 'tangible success' of a pilot phase launched in October 2024 at Tasjeel centres in Al Qusais and Al Barsha. According to RTA, the trial was effective in saving customers time and effort. The pilot revealed a 46 per cent drop in average waiting times at the two centres, and a 15 per cent reduction in occupancy rates of inspection transactions. Despite a 13 per cent decline in overall testing transactions, revenue levels remained stable. Of the users, 52 per cent opted for pre-booking, 26 per cent used the walk-in service, and the remaining 22 completed services not requiring prior appointments. Qais Al Farsi, director of Vehicle Licensing at He added: 'The wider rollout of the initiative across vehicle testing centres is expected to yield several key benefits, most notably saving customers time and effort, reducing waiting times by around 40 percent, and improving occupancy rates, particularly at centres where utilisation had previously exceeded 80 percent.' Al Farsi noted that the booking system will be mandatory for all customer and vehicle categories, except for vehicles registered in Dubai and owned by People of Determination and seniors, both citizens and residents. 'These individuals are exempt from the booking requirement for vehicle inspection services, in line with RTA's commitment to ensuring accessible and inclusive service delivery for these two key customer segments,' he said.
Khaleej Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
A silent disease: Prostate cancer among the 5 most common cancers in UAE, doctors warn
Prostate cancer is among the five most common cancers affecting men in the UAE, yet doctors say many men still avoid check-ups due to fear, stigma, or simply neglecting their health. According to Dr Mohamad Azzam Ziade, a medical oncologist at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital in Al Qusais, prostate cancer is strongly linked to ageing and is expected to become more prevalent in the UAE as the population grows older. 'Globally, around 95 per cent of prostate cancer patients are over the age of 50. In the UAE too, it is one of the top five cancers among men,' he said. Prof Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of Burjeel Cancer Institute and President of the Emirates Oncology Society, said that it is one of the most common cancers in Emirati men over the age of 50. 'Yet, early detection rates remain low, especially compared to Western countries,' said Prof Al Shamsi. Why are men not getting screened? Doctors point to a mix of factors as to why men don't get screened. 'It is because of lack of awareness, cultural taboos around male health, fear of being diagnosed, and the belief that medical visits can be postponed,' said Prof Al Shamsi. Dr Ziade said that men are often too busy with work and under stress, so they don't pay attention to their health. 'Men's health is often ignored,' said Dr Ziade. Oncologists said that many patients come for help only after symptoms have developed often when the disease is already in an advanced stage. 'There's still a stigma around male health issues and urogenital exams,' said Prof Al Shamsi. He also stressed that even doctors sometimes miss the importance of encouraging routine screening, which adds to the problem. Is the exam painful? One of the main reasons men delay or avoid screening is the fear of the prostate exam being painful. But doctors say that concern is mostly unfounded. 'You may feel pressure or discomfort, but it should not hurt,' said Dr Ziade. 'The process takes only a few minutes.' Prof Al Shamsi added that the initial screening is usually just a simple blood test called PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen), which measures PSA levels in the blood. In some cases, it may be followed by a digital rectal exam (DRE), which also lasts less than a minute and is not painful, though it can be slightly uncomfortable. He advised that men should begin discussing screening with their doctor at age 50, or earlier at 45 if they have a family history or higher risk factors. If PSA levels are normal, the test can be repeated every one to two years. Symptoms to watch out for Prostate cancer is often called a silent disease because it usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. 'When symptoms appear, they may include frequent urination, especially at night, blood in the urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, bone pain, or even bowel issues,' said Dr Ziade. Prof Al Shamsi added that a weak urine stream or difficulty urinating are also warning signs, along with pain in the hips, back, or pelvis if the cancer has spread. A warning and a hope Doctors shared patient stories that highlight the importance of early screening. Dr Ziade is currently treating a 77-year-old man who was diagnosed with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. Thanks to continuous androgen deprivation therapy, his condition is now stable and in remission, with no active signs of cancer. However, he also has Parkinson's disease, which slightly affects his daily life. In another case, Prof Al Shamsi described a 56-year-old Emirati man who had no symptoms but decided to go for a routine health check-up. A slightly elevated PSA level led to further tests, and localised prostate cancer was detected early. He underwent robotic surgery and has since returned to full health, with no recurrence. 'Unfortunately, not all stories end like this,' said Prof Al Shamsi. 'We also see men coming in with severe bone pain, only to discover that the cancer has already spread. These cases require lifelong treatment.' Doctors are urging men to take control of their health, start screening early, speak up about concerns, and don't wait until symptoms appear. 'Early detection can save lives. We have the tools. What we need is awareness and action,' said Prof Al Shamsi.
