Emirati doctors launch ‘National Drive to Promote Heart Health’

Emirati doctors launched the National Initiative to Promote Heart Health under the slogan “Do Not Miss the Beat” during the opening ceremony of the National Conference on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation hosted in Abu Dhabi.

The launch coincides with World Heart Day, which falls on 29th September each year.

The initiative is a joint effort by the Emirates Programme for Medical Readiness and Response (Jaheziya), the Emirates Council for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and the Emirates Society for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, under the supervision of the Emirates Medical Reserve Team and the Emirates Heart Ambassadors, in coordination with government and private health institutions across the country.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of heart health and the immediate intervention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to support access to life-saving care, to train and enhance the readiness and efficiency of emergency response teams, and to encourage heart-healthy lifestyles among all segments of society in accordance with the best international practices and standards.

Cardiac surgeon Dr Adel Al Shamry Al Ajmi, President of Emirati Doctors, President of Jaheziya, and Chairman of the Emirates Society for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, stated in his opening speech at the National Conference on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation that more than 17 million people die annually from cardiovascular-related conditions.

He added that heart disease is the leading cause of death locally, accounting for 22% of all deaths in the country — the highest among all causes — which calls for united efforts to adopt innovative initiatives that make a tangible and sustainable impact on the performance and readiness of medical teams in responding to cardiac emergencies according to the highest global standards.

He added that the National Initiative to Promote Heart Health was officially launched through a coalition of government, private, and non-profit institutions to adopt a series of innovative initiatives.

These include the regular organisation of national heart forums, the adoption of a specialised national cardiac training program, the establishment of the National Academy for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, the launch of a national campaign for early detection of heart diseases using mobile cardiac clinics and a field heart hospital, the launch of the UAE Heart Award and Medal, and the adoption of the UAE Heart Ambassadors Programme.

WAM