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Al Etihad
10-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE ranks high for inclusive, people-centred health system in new index
11 July 2025 00:53 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The UAE has ranked among the top countries for inclusive health systems, according to a new of the 40 nations assessed in the Health Inclusivity Index, the UAE secured the eighth spot for its health system, one of the three domains of the study. The country scored 77.8 in this area, reflecting the strength and scope of its healthcare system. The index by Economist Impact, supported by consumer health company Haleon, is based on insights from a survey of 42,000 people across 40 countries. It was launched on Thursday in partnership with the UAE-UK Business Council, during an event that saw industry leaders discuss how improving health literacy can foster community-centred care.'The UAE is not just preparing for the future — it is actively changing,' said Arda Arat, General Manager of Haleon Gulf and Near East. Arat described the UAE's healthcare strategy as 'future-looking'. '[The country is] generally in the first 10 among 40 countries — very high on wellbeing, person-centred care, and inclusive systems,' he said. 'Inclusive health systems' is one of the index's three primary domains. The other two are 'health in society' and 'people and community empowerment', emphasising the importance of literacy and public awareness in building healthier Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of the Community Health Sector at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), recognised the importance of translating data and strategy into real changes in the community and within households. 'Our main target is to have a health-literate, empowered community ... making the right lifestyle choices from childhood,' Dr. Al Hajeri told Aletihad on the sidelines of the index's launch. Healthcare, she emphasised, goes beyond curing disease: 'The real target is having people reach their maximum health potential.''Care does not start at the hospital; it starts in our homes and communities,' Dr. Al Hajeri said. She also stressed that an appropriate shift in wellbeing mindset and priorities could build not only a healthy community but a happy family life. In Abu Dhabi, the vision is to build a system where 'everyone receives the care they deserve — curative and preventative —regardless of who they are or where they live', she said. Pointing to initiatives like Sahatna and Malaffi, Dr. Al Hajeri reaffirmed: 'We have built a whole institution to make inclusivity real — measurable, actionable, and lasting.' From Awareness to ActionBradley Jones, Executive Director of the UAE–UK Business Council, affirmed that health literacy is not only about keeping the public informed — 'it is about empowerment'. Jones called the Health Inclusivity Index 'a very important and impactful report'. 'This is just the beginning. Let's move from awareness to action and build a healthier, more inclusive future,' he said. Arat said the index's launch could mark the start of a shift 'from awareness to action' on health literacy and inclusivity. 'The index is just a number. It is about what you do with that… If you take it from people up, starting with their understanding and empowering them to act, it will have a change,' he said.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Elephant Guruvayur Gopikannan dies
Guruvayur Devaswom's elephant Gopikannan died in the early hours of Friday. According to Devaswom records, the elephant was 51 years old. Gopikannan, who had been under musth for the past two months, suddenly collapsed around 4.10 a.m. at his tethering post. Though he had shown no signs of illness, a slight abdominal swelling, resembling gas build-up, was noticed by veterinarians on Thursday. The elephant passed dung later in the evening, offering some hope. Originally from Assam, Gopikannan was offered to the temple by businessman Gopu Nandilath Gopu in September 2001. With calm behaviour and striking physical features, he soon became one of Guruvayur's star tuskers. He regularly participated in the temple's daily rituals, including Sheeveli and Vilakku. Gopikannan was a nine-time winner of the prestigious Aanayottam (elephant race) and had led key events such as Pallivetta and Arat during the Guruvayur festival.
