Free early breast cancer screenings across UAE

dubai — The Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched a free-of-charge early breast cancer screening campaign for all UAE women citizens and residents starting today, May 21, to increase the overall survival rate of people with the disease.

Mobile clinics equipped with mammography technology will be deployed in several shopping centres in the Northern Emirates where a dedicated platform will also be set-up to receive applications and reach out to a larger number of women.

The campaign is within the framework of the move to declare 2017 as the ‘Year of Giving’ by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and in response to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in line with the launching of Government Accelerators developed to boost the agenda of UAE Vision 2021 and achieve the national indicator on reducing cancer mortality rate in the country.

Among the campaign’s objectives include raising public awareness; educating the residents on the importance of early detection of breast cancer; providing guidance; identifying preventive measures and infection risks; and highlighting the importance of detection, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

The campaign will start in Dubai particularly Festival City from May 21 to 22. The second stop will be at Mall of the Emirates on May 24-25 and the campaign will move to Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, running until June 15 of this year.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com