Binge eating lands more in hospitals
abu dhabi — Binge eating during Iftar has caused the number of patients landing at UAE hospital emergency departments to double, doctors told Khaleej Times on Sunday.
“We are receiving too many patients with abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea in the holy month of Ramadan — it is really too much now. Sometimes, we have an entire family coming in together,” said Dr Ola Nagi Ibrahim, general practitioner, emergency medicine, Bareen Hospital.
Most of the cases are related to gastroenteritis, an infection of the gut. In the first 10 days of Ramadan, the hospital’s emergency department received an average of 15 patients daily — double the number on regular days.
Dr Shafqut Jalal, assistant head of the emergency department at Universal Hospital, said they have been receiving “six to 10 patients” daily with gastritis-related complaints.
Dr Magdi Mohamed, consultant, emergency medicine at Burjeel Hospital, advised residents to break their fast with dates, water and a light meal.
ajman — In a major crackdown, four food establishments were shut down by the Ajman Municipality and Planning for flouting health regulations. Fines were slapped on 19 units and 56 others issued warning for hygiene breach, which posed risks to consumers.
The inspectors visited as many as 210 food establishments during the hour before Iftar to check how food was being made and provided to those fasting, said Khalid Al Hosani, executive director of public health and environment. The inspection focused on prepared and cooked food in restaurants, cafeterias, and supermarkets, he added.
Al Hosani said public’s health safety is its top priority and the department is diligently working to ensure healthy well-being for residents in the emirate. The municipality has zero-tolerance against those who violate health standards and would not hesitate to book the offenders, he warned.
He explained that the municipality has stepped up efforts to tighten noose around food establishments. “The intensified inspection campaigns will continue during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid holidays to make sure these outlets follow health safety requirements,” pointed out Al Hosani.
He explained that the number of the violations has declined this year as compared to the previous year due to the implementation of the Ajman public health programme which provides training to workers in the food sector. The programme aims to raise the standard of public health in the food and health establishments in accordance with the Federal Food Safety Law.
He urged the owners of food establishments to comply with the health regulations and conditions laid down by the Ajman public health programme and abide by the prescribed standards.
Al Hosani called on all residents not to hesitate and communicate directly with the department in case they encounter a case of violation by calling 80070.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com