Latest news with #KHALEDALKHAWALDEH
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE healthcare sector tackles rising childhood myopia as screen use soars
30 May 2025 00:03 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)As young people spend more time glued to screens and confined indoors, doctors are warning of a growing, yet often overlooked, health risk. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is no longer just a minor inconvenience requiring glasses — it's becoming a long-term eye condition that, if left unmanaged, can lead to complications later in week's World Myopia Awareness Week served as a timely reminder of the critical need to prioritise eye health, especially in children. In the UAE, the issue is gaining more attention, an Abu Dhabi-based specialist told Aletihad.'We're seeing a noticeable increase in the number of children affected by myopia,' said Dr. Arif O. Khan, Staff Physician in Ophthalmology at the Integrated Surgical Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.'It's likely linked to lifestyle shifts and greater screen time.'Dr. Khan said post-pandemic changes in routine — especially online learning and increased recreational screen use — meant children were spending more time than ever in front of devices and less time outdoors. This behavioural trend, he noted, is a key contributor to the rise in early-onset myopia across the UAE. 'Children's developing eyes are especially sensitive to environmental influences,' he said. 'Extended periods of close-up screen use, especially in dim lighting, can contribute significantly to the onset of myopia.'This is more than just an inconvenience or a temporary condition. According to Dr. Khan, the risks of myopia go far beyond needing corrective lenses. Early-onset myopia, if unmanaged, can lead to pathological myopia, a severe form that increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and even irreversible vision loss in adulthood.'Another significant concern in the UAE is keratoconus — a condition involving changes in the shape of the cornea — which appears to be more prevalent here than in many other parts of the world,' he said. A 2022 study published by Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology highlighted the prevalence of myopia among adults in Dubai: 27.4% among Emiratis and 19.5% in non-Emiratis. The research stressed that these figures highlight not only the widespread nature of the condition but also the urgent need for interventions focused on prevention and early treatment. Proactive Measures Recognising the urgency of the situation, the UAE's healthcare sector is proactively addressing the issue, with Dr. Khan expressing confidence that the country will successfully preserve the vision of future generations.'Vision care in the UAE has made remarkable strides,' he said. 'We now offer a range of treatments — from optical and pharmacological solutions to advanced surgical interventions for adults.'One of the most promising areas in myopia control is early intervention, particularly through newly developed optical and pharmaceutical technologies, Dr. Khan said, adding that these methods are particularly impactful on children. 'One of the most exciting developments in eye care today is the progress being made in preventing and managing childhood myopia,' he said. 'We now have pharmacological treatments available that can slow the progression of myopia in children, along with innovative optical solutions, such as specially designed peripheral defocus spectacle lenses and contact lenses.'Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has launched a dedicated Myopia Clinic, which is part of a growing trend worldwide to treat myopia not just as a condition but as a chronic disease that requires ongoing the promising technology, Dr. Khan is quick to emphasise that prevention is better than cure. 'It's equally important to emphasise the role of behavioural changes as the first line of defence,' he said. 'Reducing screen time, increasing outdoor activity, avoiding prolonged close-up work, and ensuring well-lit environments are all essential strategies for preventing myopia in children.'
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
TAQA races to future-proof Abu Dhabi's power grid amid climate risks, booming demand
28 May 2025 23:53 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)As climate change drives an increase in extreme weather events across the globe, Abu Dhabi is working swiftly to future-proof its power infrastructure with smarter, more resilient systems. Enhanced automation and decentralisation are emerging as key strategies that could help build a more adaptive and robust power at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Scott Ryan, Chief Power Operations Officer at TAQA Distribution, laid out a bold roadmap to enhance grid reliability through both automation and local energy generation."A little over a year ago, we had record floods, and that really stressed the grid," Ryan told Aletihad."It created a lot of issues for our customers, so we're looking for [a way] to make our network reliable and resilient for future impacts."This mission has driven the development of an ambitious initiative known as FLISR - Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration. Long in the making, the project gained momentum amid increasing climate risks, positioning the emirate alongside advanced economies in building a highly adaptable grid capable of withstanding future shocks."Think of a neighbourhood that loses supply, and then two minutes later, power is restored," Ryan said."Customers haven't had to call up; we haven't had to roll out a truck; and the majority of customers get their power back."FLISR combines field hardware with centralised control room software to rapidly detect faults, isolate problem areas, and restore power where possible - all in near recently completed a successful trial of the system and has now launched a five-year plan to roll it out across its network. The goal is to boost grid reliability by 30% within that is only part of the puzzle. Ryan says TAQA Distribution is also investing heavily in infrastructure to meet booming demand driven by electrification and mega-projects such as the recently announced 5GW data centre."We're seeing spikes in demand and future load growth," Ryan said."We stay very close to the growth we're expecting, and we start to plan ahead, preparing our grid, preparing our generation."A key component of that preparation involves exploring decentralised generation options like microgrids, which can operate independently of the main grid in emergencies. He said TAQA Distribution was working to explore all possible options to ensure that Abu Dhabi's growth is not hindered by the grid. "A microgrid is where you have local generation, typically renewable - solar panels, solar rooftops, maybe even a wind farm - close to the customer," Ryan explained."Automation like we've described with FLISR can ring around a particular area that could be islanded in the event of a fault."According to Ryan, this kind of setup would allow parts of the grid to continue functioning even when upstream problems - like flooding or heatwaves - take other parts who previously led the construction of a microgrid in Australia, said TAQA is considering similar deployments in Abu Dhabi."Abu Dhabi is booming. It always has been, but we're heading into a new era," he said."We need to make sure that our network can actually support all of that."Ryan said smart metres would also likely play a foundational role in building a responsive and efficient grid. These devices provide real-time data about household energy use, allowing TAQA to detect outages immediately and even predict consumption trends. "It can send what we call the 'last gasp'- the very last thing the metre does is say, 'I've lost power', and we can know before the customer even calls us," Ryan said.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE tourism set for landmark year with projected Dh267.5b GDP contribution
27 May 2025 00:30 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The UAE is poised to achieve a landmark year in tourism, with the sector projected to contribute Dh267.5 billion to the national economy in 2025, representing nearly 13% of GDP, according to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).This milestone comes alongside record-breaking international visitor spend, which is forecast to reach Dh228.5 billion, 37% above pre-pandemic levels. Domestic tourism is also surging, with Dh60 billion in spending expected this year - 47% higher than in 2019, underscoring the strength of the local travel market."The UAE continues to lead the way in global travel and tourism. From cutting-edge smart cities to exceptional hospitality and seamless visa systems, the country is a model of how strategic vision drives economic growth," Julia Simpson, WTTC President and CEO, said in a statement."With initiatives like the Tourism Strategy 2031 and the National Tourism Charter, the UAE is building a future-ready sector rooted in sustainability and innovation. With strong leadership and public-private alignment, 2025 is set to mark yet another chapter in the UAE's remarkable tourism success story." Abu Dhabi Sees Robust Growth in Q1Complementing the national outlook, Abu Dhabi's tourism sector is tracking exceptional growth. According to the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the emirate welcomed 1.4 million overnight visitors in Q1 2025, building momentum toward its target of Dh62 billion in tourism GDP contribution this year, a 13% increase over sector performance has mirrored this visitor growth. The first quarter of the year saw Dh2.3 billion in hotel revenues in the capital, marking an 18% year-on-year increase, while revenue per available room jumped 25% to Dh484. Occupancy rates averaged 79%, including during the holy month of Ramadan."Our strategic approach to elevating Abu Dhabi as a cultural and tourism destination is delivering tangible results," said Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi."Sustained investment into data-led destination marketing, diversified programming, a culture-first ethos, and ever-improving visitor experience touchpoints have driven robust growth in Q1 2025, building on a strong 2024."DCT highlighted the importance of cultural identity towards Abu Dhabi's tourism strategy. This has largely centred around the Saadiyat Cultural District, already home to the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi and the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, which will soon be joined by the Zayed National Museum, and the Guggenheim Abu to WTTC forecasts, the UAE's travel and tourism sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory over the next decade, contributing nearly Dh287.8 billion to the economy by 2035. Employment in the sector is also projected to exceed 1 million jobs, further embedding tourism into the country's economic fabric. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi ranks second globally in resident satisfaction
22 May 2025 20:59 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI) Abu Dhabi has emerged as one of the world's most admired cities, ranking second globally in resident satisfaction, according to Gensler's newly released City Pulse 2025 findings. The report aims to provide an alternative metric for measuring emotional connection alongside factors like liveability and economic City Pulse 2025 report — based on insights from over 33,000 residents across 65 cities on six continents — found that 92% of Abu Dhabi residents were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their city, the second highest after Shanghai. Dubai ranked fourth with a score of 91%. 'UAE cities are some of the most admired globally for their quality of infrastructure and ambition,' said Tim Martin, Co-Managing Director and Principal at Gensler Middle East. Finding a Sense of Home Gensler's analysis suggests that satisfaction alone does not equate to loyalty. Residents are most likely to stay in places that not only provide top-class amenities but also those that foster strong emotional ties, including joy, pride, and a sense of home.'If the last two decades were about building world-class infrastructure, the next era must be about building world-class belonging,' Martin added. 'A truly magnetic city is one people don't just move to — it's one they stay in, raise families in, and feel deeply connected to. That's the opportunity for the UAE.'Martin said this insight is especially relevant for Abu Dhabi as it aligns with national strategies like 'We the UAE 2031 and Vision 2071', both of which aim emphasise human-centric growth and talent retention. He highlighted that the country had already taken proactive steps through Golden Visa programmes and innovation clusters designed to attract global talent. Gensler's report frames cities not just as economic engines but as 'emotional ecosystems.'Their findings show that one in three people globally is considering leaving their city, and the most important factor keeping them rooted isn't job opportunities or public services — it's whether they feel emotionally at its success, Martin cautioned that Abu Dhabi was not immune to global trends. The report highlights affordability as the top global factor influencing residents' decisions to move. With rising living costs, even cities with high satisfaction scores must address economic inclusion to maintain long-term appeal, the report said. Gensler said that for Abu Dhabi, this means expanding beyond traditional infrastructure metrics and investing in community cohesion, accessible housing, and inclusive design that invites all residents to participate in city life.'As we look to the future, especially with Vision 2071 and 'We the UAE 2031' in mind, the challenge is not just to attract talent, but to root it,' Martin said. 'Long-term city vitality will depend on how emotionally connected residents feel, to their neighbourhoods, to public life and to the idea of staying for decades.'
Al Etihad
15-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE could welcome 7,100 new millionaires in 2025
16 May 2025 00:15 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)The UAE is increasingly becoming the destination of choice of the world's millionaires, thanks to the combination of political stability, tax advantages, safety, and quality of life it offers, a new report has found. This year, the country has the potential to welcome over 7,100 high-net-worth individuals, according to global wealth migration 2025 Millionaire Migration Report by Henley & Partners and Betterhomes forecasts that the UAE could see the largest net inflow of millionaires globally, ahead of the US, Canada, Singapore, and to the report, this projected influx builds on the UAE's already impressive position as the 14th largest wealth market in the world, home to 130,500 millionaires as of December 2024 - a number that has nearly doubled over the past Dubai remains a standout for its flagship luxury real estate and business migration, the report highlights that this trend is part of a broader national strategy to attract long-term capital and talent across the Emirates."Forecasts for 2025 suggest that approximately 142,000 high-net-worth individuals are expected to move internationally," the report said."If even 5% of this cohort were to choose Dubai, the emirate would welcome an estimated 7,100 new millionaires. At a conservative estimate, this would represent an inflow exceeding $7.1 billion."The report details the diverse origins of the anticipated 7,100 new millionaires, citing inflows from East Asia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East. Entrepreneurs from China and Vietnam are also reportedly seeking more stable investment environments. Investors from Turkey and Argentina are also expected to be looking to shield their assets from economic and currency volatility. The report goes so far as to say that even wealth holders from the UK and the US are increasingly viewing the UAE as a haven for capital preservation."These new arrivals are not mere spectators," the report said."They are institution builders, family office founders, and long-term strategists. They bring with them enterprises, teams, and a forward-looking mindset."According to the report, the inflows from wealth migration will drive growth in real estate, financial services, technology, healthcare, and clean energy. According to Louis Harding, CEO of Betterhomes, this shift is seeing the UAE's property market increasingly being shaped by long-term capital rather than speculative investors. "We are seeing global wealth not just arrive, but anchor itself here, in branded residences, legacy properties, and high-quality developments built for permanence," Harding said.
