Latest news with #SumayyaAlSuwaidi
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Many senior citizens feel depressed as social centres continue to be shut since Covid-19
The continued closure of social development centres for senior Emiratis is causing loneliness and depression for many, due to a lack of community engagement opportunities —a member of the Federal National Council (FNC) warned on Wednesday. FNC member Sumayya Al Suwaidi argued that the Ministry of Community Development's efforts towards older UAE national, were not sufficient to improve their quality of life, especially with social centres remaining shut 'five long years' after Covid. 'The minister spoke of the efforts the ministry has taken to support senior Emiratis… are those efforts enough to improve their quality of life?' Al Suwaidi questioned during the session. 'Is this a way to protect the future of the country, to enhance the quality of life of the people? Is this a way to provide them with a better life?' She stressed the crucial role the social centres once played. 'The centres were a place of joy and happiness, and the elders gathered among themselves. This is the least we can do for them,' she said, adding that the spaces also bridged generations, as many students would visit to listen to the stories and wisdom of the elderly. 'Since the centres closed five years ago, we have not seen any development in the services provided to senior citizens,' she pointed. 'They are suffering from loneliness and depression as they stay alone at home, with their children being busy at work most of the time.' In response, Minister of Family Sana Suhail said the ministry is currently working on a new national operational plan to improve the wellbeing of older citizens. The plan, she said, includes a range of programmes, initiatives, and specialised workshops to be implemented nationwide, with a focus on geographic diversity and sustainable social impact. She said the ministry will soon announce details of the upcoming initiatives, which aim to empower senior citizens and strengthen their role in society, in line with the UAE government's long-term vision. Suhail added that supporting senior citizens remains a strategic priority. 'The ministry is working to develop the services provided to them in line with the highest standards,' she said, noting that efforts are being made in coordination with local and federal partners and in accordance with relevant national policies. She highlighted the historic role of social development centres, describing them as key in enhancing community happiness, acting as a bridge between the ministry and the public, and fostering family cohesion. She added added that the restructuring of ministry teams in mid-2023 was part of an effort to improve the centres' efficiency and redefine their role as 'customer happiness centres' to deliver upgraded services.
Khaleej Times
05-02-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Free meals for all students in public schools pushed at FNC
With Abu Dhabi's education department enforcing a healthy-eating policy and banning junk food in schools, there is a growing push to promote a safe and nutritious food environment for students. A nationwide programme to distribute free healthy meals in UAE public schools is essential to fight rising obesity and ensure food equality among students, an Federal National Council (FNC) member said on Wednesday. A 'National School Meals Initiative', which aimed to provide free meals to students in public schools across the country by 2025 was previously announced by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. However, the pilot phase, which was planned for the 2023–2024 academic year, was not implemented, according to FNC member Sumayya Al Suwaidi. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. "What efforts is the Ministry making to implement the initiative in the current academic year, 2024–2025?' asked Al Suwaidi. 'When this initiative was announced, it was well received by parents and the community as it plays a crucial role in promoting healthy eating habits for generations to come.' The National School Meals Initiative was announced after the UAE joined the School Meals Coalition alongside 70 member states, aiming to provide each student with a healthy meal at school by 2030, explained Al Suwaidi. Over 388 million students benefited from the international coalition's initiative in 2020, and over 418 million by 2022. "The ministry initially announced ambitious goals to supply 70 per cent of the initiative's food stuff and 30 per cent of its workforce from local resources, which will be of great value to the national economy." Highlighting the health, psychological and environmental values of implementing this initiative, Al Suwaidi said implementing the initiative is a 'national necessity'. "It helps address the rising rates of obesity, diabetes and heart diseases, and the psychological issues young people suffer from. The initiative is essential for establishing social equality among students by providing equal access to nutritious food." The initiative will potentially put a curb on food waste, she added. A national survey conducted in 2017-2018 showed that obesity rates among children and adolescents collected from routine school health screening reached 17.35 per cent, cited Al Suwaidi. The survey also showed obesity rates among adults at 27.8 per cent, while approximately 60 per cent of the UAE population were classified as overweight or obese. In a written response to Al Suwaidi, Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said, 'The Ministry is currently working on updating the National Food Security Strategy. This update aims to ensure the enhancement of relevant projects and the revision of roles and responsibilities…These updates will help achieve national goals and strengthen the impact of execution. "There will be a focus on enhancing the nutritional value of key crops included in the food basket and developing initiatives and projects to increase the contribution of local production to meeting domestic food needs, while ensuring compliance with food safety standards and requirements,' added the minister.
