Dubai Health Authority And Aster DM Healthcare Launch Health And Safety Education Program For Schools In U.A.E

Dr Manal Al Taryam, CEO of Primary Healthcare at the Dubai Health Authority(DHA)launched the second phase of ‘Safety Tips for Road Accident Prevention (STRAP)’ public health and safety program in collaboration with DM Healthcare at Dubai Modern Education School (DMES) in Al Mizhar.

Organized by DM Healthcare, in tandem with key Government entities -- Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS), and Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)– the STRAP CSR campaign will run alongside the ‘Be Empathetic, Act Timely (BEAT) program and quit tobacco (STUB IT) program. The second phase of the campaign aims to cover students of different schools across the UAE over the next five years.

The campaign, in its second phase, will be carried out through ‘Dr Aster Mobile’, the first-of-its-kind mobile clinic introduced in the region by DM Healthcare to support community health and safety services. The mobile clinic provides awareness and offers free primary medical care, wherever needed.

The mobile medical clinic will tour the UAE covering various educational institutes to promote road safety and extendfree Basic Life Support (BLS) awareness.

Taryamsaid, “The STRAP and BEAT campaigns both aim to tackle very important issues. Safety on road, whether it concerns a driver or a pedestrian, is such a significant matter, yet many take it lightly. These campaigns are a direct and effective method to reach people and educate them about the importance of following road safety rules. Moreover, the campaign also provides training in basic life support for any emergencies.”

She said that the campaign will be conducted across schools in the UAE over the next five years to educate the youth about road safety measures and its importance.

She added that via the mobile clinic 65 campaigns were carried out in 2012 to screen people for diabetes and hypertension. In 2013, with the collaboration of DM healthcare 177 campaigns were carried out via the mobile clinic and free screening for diabetes and hypertension was undertaken.

Commenting on the second phase of the campaign, Dr Azad Moopen, said, “I would like to extend our gratitude to all the Government authorities for their continued support since the launch of the STRAP campaign last year. This year, we will raise awareness about the importance of road safety among the student community.”

He added that the launch of the campaign coincides with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, which took place recently.

“We felt it was important to educate younger members of our society so that they can be aware of road safety rules from a young age.” Dr. Moopen added.

His Excellency Essa Mohammed Al Ghafari, Acting CEO of Dubai Corporate for Ambulance Services (DCAS) said, “We believe every individual must have Basic Life Support knowledge to be ready and prepared for any emergency at any time. The first few minutes during an emergency situation are the most important in determining the fatality of it. By doing the right thing at the right time, one can help save a victim’s life. We are happy to be a partner in this important campaign which will help save many lives in the long run.”

Engineer Hussein Mohammed Al Banna, Director of Traffic Department at Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said, “Road accidents are one of the major causes of deaths worldwide. These lives can be saved by just following the rules and staying alert and safe on the roads. Our aim is to eliminate or reduce this number by creating widespread awareness on safety measures among people.”

Ms. Hamda Yousuf Lootah, Director of Dubai Modern Education School said: “The school is pleased to support such initiatives that are aimed to serve the community and its youngest members.”

STRAP is a public information program, through which DM Healthcare intends to impart the message of road safety by raising awareness of risks and changing attitudes on the roads, thus trying to make the roads of the nation safer for all.

This year the campaign will roll outto different schools all over the UAE to educate thousands of students about the importance of following road safety rules.

The launchingevent at Dubai Modern Education School witnessed an Emergency Mock Drill, which demonstrated the rescue of an accident victim to teach students on how to respond quickly and take necessary safety measures to control such situations.

Awareness materials were released at the event. These included ‘Dr. Aster’s - STRAP Health and Safety Handbook’ and video.

The ‘Dr. Aster’s Health & Safety Handbook’ showcases the importance of healthcare awareness on various First Aid situations, Essentials of BLS (Basic Life Supports) through CPR awareness and quitting tobacco habits, etc. The book will be distributed in schools during the campaigns.

A ‘Train the Trainers’ program" and live streaming of the event are also part of the campaign with the aim to maximize the reach of the message among the student community. The program will get across the messages through interesting competitions, videos, plays, quizzes, painting and drawing contests, face-to-face interactions, exhibition of the students’ paintings and a lot more. The winning students will be recognized and presented with certificates and prizes.

Dr. Aster Mobile Clinic will support the campaign in terms of training and creating awareness among the students, teachers, drivers, administrative staff and heads of institutes on road safety and emergency first-aid care.

The campaign is a part of the CSR initiates of DM Healthcare and its charitable arm Dr. Moopen’s Foundation with the cooperation of several government entities.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Nov 21, 2013

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