Wear a ribbon if you care for health

ABU DHABI — Don’t hesitate to wear a ribbon if you wish to join a unique health awareness campaign launched by a hospital in the Capital.

The Universal Hospital in Abu Dhabi has started a yearlong health awareness campaign about diseases that can be either prevented or treated if detected early and to support those with pre-existing diseases.

The hospital began its drive on Tuesday and will be observing September as the prostate cancer awareness month.

The campaign was inaugurated by Major Dr Younis Yaaqoup Al Yaarobi and Captain Dr Abdel Raheem Hasan Al Beshir representing the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ.

The hospital’s founder and managing director, Dr Shabeer Nellikode said: “The ribbon is a form of communication and is intended to spark conversation. When you wear a ribbon, you are spreading the cause and educating others to spread the word.

“Perhaps the most popular is the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. We have adopted other coloured ribbons as used by various international health organisations for each month specific to the disease. This campaign is close to our brand promise of spreading the ‘wings of wellness’ in preventive and curative care,” the neurologist said. The hospital’s chief medical officer Georgey Koshy said prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. “It is the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among men in the UAE. About 20 per cent of cancer cases reported in Abu Dhabi relate to cancer of the prostate gland,” said the consultant cardiologist (interventional) and head of cardiology department. Urologist Osama Farouk Al Harastani said the risk is double for men with a first degree family member.

“Those with a high blood pressure are prone to it from among the men above 50 years. Hence a screening test would help in early detection and an early treatment. A delayed visit may prove detrimental.”