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Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE doctor helps build policy mandating car seats for newborns after hospital discharge
When Dr Taisser Atrak received the Abu Dhabi Award in 2011 from UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, it marked more than just recognition. Today, the pediatrician and child safety advocate is helping develop a policy that could make it mandatory for all newborns in the UAE to be placed in car seats before being discharged from the hospital, a practice that has been standard in the US for decades. 'In America, hospitals can't discharge a newborn unless the baby is safely restrained in a car seat. I want to see that here. It's a child's first ride home, it should also be the safest,' he told Khaleej Times during the exclusive media briefing marking the 20th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi Awards. This isn't the first initiative Dr Atrak has worked on, but it's one of the most ambitious. 'Once I received the award, government entities started reaching out. It gave my work visibility and credibility,' he said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Originally trained in the US, Dr Atrak moved to Abu Dhabi in 2008 and has spent the past 15 years voluntarily leading awareness campaigns on child safety, including first aid training for parents, nannies, and bus drivers. But after the award, his reach expanded, including invitations to collaborate with the Department of Health and the Ministry of Interior. He explained that hospitals and caregivers in the UAE are largely supportive once they understand the risks. 'We presented the data and shared real cases. One child's family told us they still regret not using a restraint system (child car seat). These are preventable deaths.' Dr Atrak began his work by personally funding materials and training sessions. 'As a doctor, I was seeing children die from injuries that could have been avoided. I couldn't stay silent. I had to do something, even outside my clinic hours.' One of his early successes was pushing for CPR training for parents before hospital discharge. 'At first, I was told parents wouldn't be interested. A year later, they were asking for it. And in several cases, those skills saved lives.' The results have been tangible. 'We worked as a team, hospitals, government, individuals, and the data showed a clear drop in injuries and deaths after our campaigns,' he said. At the same event, Khaleej Times also met Zaafarana Ahmed Khamis, a long-time volunteer and mother of eleven, including two daughters who are Special Olympics champions. Nicknamed the 'mother of People of Determination', Zaafarana has been volunteering with the Abu Dhabi Sports Club since 2007. She began by escorting girls of determination to training sessions when she noticed they were often left to arrive alone or without proper supervision. 'I told the director, 'Let me help'. They gave me a minibus. I would drive across Abu Dhabi, picking up girls from different areas and dropping them at sports centres. Then I'd take them back home, sometimes until 10pm,' she said. Zaafarana, who received the Abu Dhabi Award in 2021, said the honour came as a complete surprise. 'I didn't even know I was nominated. When they told me I was receiving it from Sheikh Mohamed himself, I was overwhelmed. I cried from happiness.' She said the award changed her life. 'It gave me energy to continue. I always loved them, my daughters and the others. I see them all the same. But this award reminded me that the work matters.' The Abu Dhabi Awards launched its 12th edition on July 22, 2025, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This year's milestone edition coincides with the UAE's 'Year of Community' and celebrates two decades of recognising selfless individuals whose efforts have quietly shaped the nation. Since its inception in 2005, the award has honoured 100 recipients from 18 nationalities, whose work spans healthcare, education, sustainability, heritage preservation and advocacy for People of Determination. 'One nomination can spark a legacy of giving,' said Mahra Al Shamsi, member of the organising committee. 'These individuals remind us that even the smallest acts can make a lasting difference.' Nominations remain open year-round via the Abu Dhabi Awards website. The 12th edition also introduces a mobile outreach campaign, 'Goodness in Motion', bringing the award's mission directly to communities across the country.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Brits have their say on whether 10-year health reforms will improve NHS
A new Ipsos survey indicates that nearly half of the British public is sceptical about the government 's 10-year health plan improving GP appointments or A&E waiting times. The poll found that 35 per cent of respondents believe the plan will have no impact on GP access, with 14 per cent anticipating it will make appointments more difficult. Despite this widespread scepticism, key proposals within the plan, including the establishment of neighbourhood health centres and the expansion of the NHS app, garnered significant public support. Over three-quarters of those surveyed backed the creation of neighbourhood health centres and a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks. The Department of Health and Social Care affirmed the plan's popularity, stating it resulted from extensive consultation and aims to deliver improved care for all patients.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Man dies after being sucked into MRI machine while wearing ‘large metal necklace' in horror freak accident
A MAN has died after he was sucked into an MRI machine in a shock freak accident. The 61-year-old man suffered catastrophic injuries while a scan was taking place on Wednesday afternoon - and died the following day. 4 4 According to NBC New York, the man had entered an MRI room at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island - where a scan was underway. He was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, they said, and it caused him to be pulled of his feet and into the machine. It resulted in a "medical episode" and the man - who has not been identified - was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. He died the next day, police said. It's not yet clear if the man was a patient at the MRI center at the time - or why he entered the room. A witness told CBS News the man was told to stay out of the room. But he reportedly ran inside after hearing a relative screaming. New York's Department of Health said it was reviewing the incident. It said: "MRI facilities in NY are not regulated as part of diagnostic and treatment centers, so are therefore not subject to routine inspections." MRI machines use powerful magnets that can pull in metal objects - and this makes it unsafe to bring metal of any kind near the machine. Factory worker, 19, sucked in and killed by meat grinder despite desperate colleagues attempts to save him- And the magnetic field is always on - meaning even small objects can cause accidents. Dr. Payal Sud, a doctor from North Shore University Hospital, told CBS: "The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place. "If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries." Charles Winterfeldt, the hospital's director of imaging services, said: "It [the necklace] would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet." North Shore says that MRI machines can pose a particular danger to people with oxygen tanks, in wheelchairs or those even wearing magnetic jewelry. Patients are instructed to remove all metal and electrical objects before getting scanned, according to North Shore. However, experts say injuries and deaths tied to objects being pulled by the magnetic field of MRI machines are rare. 4 4
The Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald
Mpox vaccines rolled out in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as cases rise
The department of health says it has launched a mpox vaccination drive in the three provinces hardest hit by the virus which are Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 'The department has embarked on a vaccination drive against mpox disease as the number of laboratory-confirmed cases is gradually rising in the country,' it said. The vaccination programme is being rolled out at selected public health facilities, travel clinics and private providers. The department confirmed that two new cases had been detected in Johannesburg and Cape Town, increasing the total number of confirmed mpox infections in South Africa to 10 since the beginning of 2025. According to the department, the two latest patients are aged 32 and 45 with no recent travel department also said that due to limited supply with 10,500 doses of the Imvanex® vaccine donated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control the rollout will be done in phases, starting in areas with confirmed outbreaks.'Priority will be given to people at higher risk of contracting the virus, including those who came into close contact with confirmed cases, individuals with multiple sexual partners, and travellers heading to regions experiencing active mpox outbreaks,' said the department.'Where indicated, vaccination will be offered to pregnant women and children older than two years.' . The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the importation of the vaccine via a special section 21 application, allowing the use of a product not yet registered in South Africa. The National Control Laboratory tested the doses for safety and efficacy before public use.'The vaccine was found to be safe and is well tolerated in the vast majority of people,' said the a virus previously known as monkeypox, typically presents with a rash lasting two to four weeks, fever, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, low energy and headache. The rash can appear as painful blisters or sores, particularly on the face, hands, feet, groin and genital or anal not officially classified as a sexually transmitted infection, mpox can spread through close physical contact including sex, hugging, kissing and even sharing contaminated bedding, towels or National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) recorded 25 confirmed cases and three deaths in 2024. 'Vaccination helps to control the spread of this preventable and manageable disease. Vaccinated individuals are protected from becoming infected and from developing severe complications,' said the department. Common side effects after immunisation may include pain or redness at the injection site, fever, muscle aches and nausea but these usually resolve without treatment in a few days.'These side effects can be managed by having enough rest, staying hydrated and taking medication for pain, if needed. Individuals are encouraged to report any suspected side effects to a healthcare professional or through the Med Safety App, which is available for free on Android and iOS,' said the department. The department is urging residents in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal to remain vigilant. 'Those who suspect they are at risk of infection should consult their nearest health facility for screening, testing, and to check if they qualify for vaccination.' it said. TimesLIVE
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Stray cat in Coventry bit and scratched two people. Then it tested positive for rabies.
COVENTRY – A stray cat has tested positive for rabies, and the town's police chief is warning residents to check the vaccination status of their pets. "If you have had contact with an animal and you are not sure of its vaccination status, please contact us," Coventry Police Chief Benjamin Witt said in a news release. "Please take a minute to check your animal's rabies status. If you are unable to locate a rabies certificate for your animal, we advise you to contact your veterinarian to make arrangements to booster the rabies vaccination." Witt sent out the advisory after a resident trapped a stray cat "that was acting abnormally" on July 8. The cat was trapped at a home on Newell Court, off Main Street. The resident was bitten and scratched, and an animal control officer, who'd responded to a call from the resident, was also bitten and scratched, Witt said in the release. Because of the circumstances, the Rhode Island Department of Health tested the cat for rabies, and the results came back positive. "Both the resident and our Animal Control Officer were medically treated following the test results. We are working with the resident to locate any additional stray cats in that area," Witt said. What you should know about rabies? Rabies is a fatal disease if it is not treated before the onset of symptoms, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Anyone who may have had direct contact with the cat should immediately call the health department's Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at (401) 222-2577 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or (401) 276-8046 after hours so a nurse can assess your exposure and determine if you should receive treatment, the health department said. Rabies treatment must be started as soon as possible after exposure and before symptoms appear, the department said. Anyone who thinks their pet may have come into contact with the cat should call the health department, the local animal control officer and the pet's veterinarian, the health department said. All dogs, cats and ferrets are required by state law to have current vaccination against rabies. Vaccinating pets prevents them from getting rabies and prevents people from becoming exposed to rabies through their pets, according to the health department. When was the last case of rabies in Rhode Island? The last case of rabies in Rhode Island for a domesticated animal was in 2018, when a cat tested positive, according to the health department. The last case of rabies in a human in Rhode Island was in 1940, the health department said. The health department makes the following recommendations to prevent rabies: Make sure all dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on rabies vaccination. Securely cover all garbage cans so wild animals cannot scavenge for food. Avoid all contact with and do not feed stray or free-roaming domestic animals. Do not feed your animals outdoors, as this will attract other animals. This is especially dangerous when feeding large numbers of free-roaming cats. Protect your pets by always maintaining control; walk dogs on a leash or let them play in a fenced yard, and do not let pets wander unsupervised. Report all animal bites to your city or town's animal control officer. "As a reminder, please do not leave food outside for pets. Food will encourage stray or wild animals to come close to your home. If you feed a cat outside you are legally responsible for its care," Witt said. Anyone who needs help with vaccinating their animal or further information can call Coventry AnimalControl at (401) 822-9106. This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Stray cat tests positive for rabies in Coventry, RI. What to know. Solve the daily Crossword
