Latest news with #non-Emiratis
Al Etihad
3 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
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Presight's AI-driven data lake to enhance collaboration across UAE media ecosystem
22 May 2025 02:06 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Presight, a new-age G42 company, is leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to bolster the UAE's media ecosystem in its latest project with the National Media Office (NMO). Speaking to Aletihad at the Make it in the Emirates forum, Dr Adel Alsharji, Chief Operating Officer for Presight, explained how the upcoming AI-driven data lake will serve the media industry. 'It is like a central room where we gather information—news, videos, social media—and run analytics to produce actionable insights,' Alsharji said.'This helps unify national messaging and enables real-time assessment of how effectively local media is reaching the public.'Billions of media data points are expected to be processed on a daily basis, according to a previous report about the launch. The initiative will support 'secure collaboration across the entire UAE media and government ecosystem in a previously unparalleled manner', it this AI system, the government will be able to 'adapt quickly based on feedback and performance metrics', Alsharji said. AI Leader with UAE RootsPresight, a G42 new-age company, has been positioning itself as a global AI leader with strong UAE roots. 'We build most of our technologies in-house, tailor-made for our clients here and abroad. It's built in the Emirates, by the hands of Emiratis and non-Emiratis alike,' Alsharji a wide range of verticals — from smart cities to energy, financial services, education, and public services — Presight creates some 'exciting technologies related to AI', Alsharji said.'Some of the main products that we have are Presight Vitruvian, Presight Synergy, and Presight Datahub.'Among the major trends in the UAE is agentic AI or 'intelligent agents that can take over daily tasks in HR, finance, procurement, and more', he explained.'We train them to do the work humans typically do, but faster and more efficiently.' Worldwide OperationsPresight was established to 'export UAE technology to the world', Alsharji said. As the company expands its global footprint, it ensures its strategies are aligned with the country's vision. The tech firm maintains presence in 14 countries, including Jordan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Togo, and soon, Albania. 'We are expanding. KSA, the US, Latin America—they are all in our pipeline. We are also deep-diving into energy, fintech, and smart cities. We're constantly improving, offering better products and solutions to meet evolving market needs,' Alsharji said. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
The National
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
Why UAE is moving to stop non-Emiratis from using dialect and national dress in social media advertising
The UAE has set out plans to ensure only its citizens can speak in Emirati dialect and wear national dress when filming social media content, in an effort to protect and preserve the country's identity. The Federal National Council - the UAE's consultative parliamentary body - recently heard that a regulatory policy had been issued that would lead to a ban on non-citizens appropriating Emirati attire and vocabulary in online advertisements when brought into law. Concerns were raised by members at the latest FNC session over non-Emirati content creators misrepresenting local culture and customs for monetary benefit. The policy would not stop the general use of the Emirati dialect, nor its use in the media in general, and will only apply to social media posts made by content creators and advertisers, an official source told The National. "The Emirati dialect is a rich vessel of vocabulary and meanings that store within its letters the memory of a nation," Abdulla Al Hamed, chairman of the National Media Office, posted on X. "It is a mirror of national identity and an echo of the lives of our ancestors who wove the details of their daily lives in this homeland with its words. "Preserving it is a national duty and a manifestation of loyalty and belonging to our cultural heritage and our pride in our roots that provide us with strength and inspire us to continue on the path of achievement. "Therefore, the decision referred to in the Federal National Council, which is concerned with regulating advertising content, came to emphasise that anyone wearing the Emirati national dress in advertisements must be an Emirati citizen, as they are the most capable of conveying the true image of authentic Emirati customs and traditions. "The decision comes at a significant time, when the use of Emirati heritage has increased in advertising contexts that may empty it of its profound connotations by non-Emiratis who are unfamiliar with the Emirati dialect and do not understand the symbolism of the Emirati national dress and its cultural dimensions." He also said that the decision doesn't aim to limit the use of the dialect or the national dress but to frame their appearance in a manner that preserves its cultural status, especially in an age where the public taste is affected by influencers. The policy marks a significant move with myriad consequences. Here, The National breaks down its implications. Why has a dialect directive been introduced? The measures are set to be introduced to protect national identity and make sure content using the UAE dialect or other national symbols reflects the country's cultural values. Once the policy is implemented, the regulation would require any advertisements featuring the dialect or cultural symbols to be done by an Emirati citizen. What is the difference between the dialects? Across the Gulf and the Arab world, the official language is Arabic, but each country has its own dialect. A dialect is an offshoot of the language developed through the country's history and culture, and its history with its neighbouring countries. Dialects can be categorised in groups sometimes because of their similarities, such as "Levantine Arabic" or "Gulf Arabic" but there is a palpable difference between Levantine dialects and Gulf ones. The differences are usually informed by their different histories and cultures. Additionally, even within the countries themselves, there can be differences in the dialects between regions. What are the key characteristics of the Emirati dialect? Emirati Arabic is the native dialect of the Emirati people and serves as a key marker of national identity. Known for preserving ancient Arabic words, it reflects the UAE's deep-rooted cultural and linguistic heritage. Within the country, dialects vary by region, with Bedouin Arabic common in rural areas and more traditional in tone. In contrast, urban centres like Dubai and Abu Dhabi feature modernised dialects influenced by globalisation and multicultural interaction. Examples of the Emirati dialect include expressions such as " hayyak Allah" (a respectful greeting meaning 'welcome'). What will the ban on non-Emiratis using the dialect achieve? "The decision to ban the use of the Emirati dialect by non-Emiratis in social media ads has several positive effects. First, it protects cultural identity," said Fahad Alotaiba, an Emirati social media influencer. "It reflects the leaders' commitment to protecting and promoting Emirati cultural identity. Second, it enhances local communication." "This decision can contribute to strengthening communication between brands and Emirati consumers, as advertisements using the local dialect may be more able to reach the emotions and interests of the Emirati audience," she added. "Third, it can increase awareness of local culture by focusing on the Emirati dialect. The decision can contribute to increasing awareness of Emirati culture among consumers. Overall, this decision has a positive impact on Emirati society by strengthening cultural identity and improving the quality of local advertisements."
The National
14-02-2025
- Business
- The National
More than 140 couples expected to tie the knot at Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court for Valentine's Day
More than 36,000 weddings involving non-Emiratis have been carried out at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court since it opened in late 2021, with many couples requesting to tie the knot on Friday – Valentine's Day. The court has processed an average of 70 weddings a day, about 12 applications an hour. Officials are expecting Friday to be even busier than Valentine's Day last year, when 143 marriages took place at the civil court. One who will be getting married on Friday is Diksha Dilip Sahare, 30, a nurse from India, who is marrying her fiance Hitesh Ashok Patil at the court. 'Ever since I was a child, I always said that I was going to get married on Valentine's. Every Valentine's my friends would joke if this would be the day I would get married," she said. "I just think it is the most romantic thing in the world and when I got engaged, that was one of my conditions – that we get married on Valentine's Day. Hitesh has fulfilled my dream." She is only one of many people in the UAE hoping to get married on what is widely regarded as the most romantic day of the year, according to one expert. "Around Valentine's Day, we observe a significant increase in couples eager to marry on the symbolic date of February 14," said Florian Ughetto, manager of Easy Wedding, who founded the company with his wife after facing difficulties finding someone to help organise their own wedding. The increased interest in getting married at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court is a reflection on the emirate's status as an attractive location for couples, both based here and from afar, seeking a civil wedding, said a senior official. "This approach demonstrates Abu Dhabi's commitment to accommodating individuals from different nationalities and cultures, while enhancing its competitiveness and appeal in attracting top talent and skilled professionals," said Yousef Saeed Al Abri, undersecretary of the Judicial Department. "This is reinforced by modern laws that uphold cultural diversity and foster a well-structured, inclusive legal environment tailored to the needs of foreign residents." The court in Abu Dhabi has already captured the imagination of couples from across the world, including celebrities. Lebanese actress Sara Abi Kanaan married her actor husband Wissam Fares at the venue last year. The court was established in 2021 to hear all cases governed under a non-Sharia process. The court was launched with the aim of bringing the emirate into line with international legal practices. The increase in demand for civil weddings in Abu Dhabi reflects wide-scale changes in how couples, both in the region and from further afield, approach married life, according to a leading lawyer in the sector. Shabana Saleem, senior associate family barrister, said she has noted a 30 per cent rise in enquiries over the past two weeks, including specific requests for a civil marriage appointment on Valentine's Day, and also from couples looking for information on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial. While pre-nuptial agreements where couples agree on financial and other terms before marriage are well documented, the post-nuptial agreement is less common. As the name suggests, it is a contract agreed on after the wedding has taken place, when both spouses agree on financial terms in the event of a divorce. While both pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are not new concepts, they were less associated with the Middle East region than other parts of the world. However that is changing, Ms Saleem says. "In the last week alone, I've had significant inquiries from couples getting married within the next 14 days," she said. "Pre-nups or marriage agreements are no longer about protecting wealth, they're about safeguarding the emotional and financial well-being of both partners. 'The heart of a pre-nup is essentially to give a couple the chance to have candid discussions about critical issues such as finances, children and the path forward if there is a divorce,' she said. "This becomes particularly important for expat families who face added layers of uncertainty.'
