Fear associated with disease must be banished, says Sheikh Nahyan
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Lack of public awareness of early detection and prevention of cancer is regrettable, a UAE minister said at the 10th Emirates Oncology Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Cancer, according to the World Health Organization, continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.
Opening the conference, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, noted that the UAE remains committed to promoting excellent health and advanced medical practice.
“The President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, acts with the firm belief that good health promotes success. He considers improving the health of our people as one of our nation’s highest priorities,” the Minister said in his address to oncology specialists, doctors, surgeons and allied health professionals.
Sheikh Nahyan said that under the guidance and leadership of Sheikh Mohamed, the UAE has taken a comprehensive approach to healthcare.
“Not only do we strive to provide the best patient care, but we also understand that health promotion and disease prevention are essential initiatives to ensure the best public health. »
The Minister said the UAE is working to obtain the most advanced technologies to detect the disease as early as possible, implement the most effective treatments and cures, and empower society to support people. cancer patients and their families.
He stressed that despite remarkable progress in the fight to prevent and treat cancer through innovations like nanotechnology, T-cell therapy, artificial intelligence and robotic surgery, the disease “will always be a major challenge” for everybody.
“There will always be many people who could be helped to better understand the disease. It is ironic that we know that more and more cancers are preventable, while at the same time public awareness of warning signs and acceptance of appropriate lifestyles are far from sufficient. Unfortunately, many people ignore the symptoms of cancer until the time is up for effective treatment.
Sheikh Nahyan urged medical professionals to continue educating the public and seeking discoveries and breakthroughs.
“We must emphasize the importance of knowledge of the disease and the importance of rapid action. We must contribute to the improvement of screening, detection and prevention procedures. We must work to eliminate the fear associated with cancer. And we need to promote environmental and lifestyle changes. We need to build our capacity to conduct original scientific research relevant to our region,” the Minister added.
The conference, organized by Tawam Hospital and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), will end on Sunday.
Dr. Sultan Mohamed Alkaram, CEO of Tawam Hospital, said: “Our goal will always be to transform the services of the healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates so that our community can have access to world-class services that improve their health. and their well-being. Crucial continuing education initiatives organized by SEHA, such as the Emirates Oncology Conference, are essential for us as we continue to evolve in the treatment of complex diseases such as cancer.
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