Ministry of Health and Prevention announces continuation of its free breast cancer screening initiative

UAE, May 23, 2017- The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has announced the continuation of its free breast cancer screening initiative—running until June 15, 2017. The campaign, which was launched last May 21, 2017, has already screened a total of 131 females of different nationalities. The initiative is aimed towards increasing more awareness on the importance of early detection and the move to drive in a reduction of breast cancer mortality rates. The first two days of the program was held at Festival City and will move to the Mall of the Emirates from May 24 to May 25, 2017. From that point, the free consultations will be moving to select shopping mall areas in the Northern Emirates. The Ministry has designated a team of medical and technical staff to conduct free mammograms across these mobile clinics in accordance with the highest international standards. 

His Excellency (H.E.) Dr Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary, MOHAP, said, “The ‘Year of Giving’ initiative is a moral and humanitarian effort by the UAE that has further strengthened its distinguished cultural identity and a role model as a philanthropic nation with genuine and noble goals. The initiative has been a supportive umbrella for all humanitarian campaigns inside and outside the country and the launch of the breast cancer screening campaign today comes within this framework. We are confident that it will raise awareness about the breast cancer and encourage them to get checked periodically to effectively deal with early detection. UAE remains innovative in its way of giving in line with its integrated values and we will continue to sustain them by measuring the results of the health and happiness of the community.” 

Meanwhile, H.E. Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry’s Hospitals Sector, stated that the initiative to launch the campaign for the early detection of breast cancer for women of all nationalities is a part of the Ministry’s strategy to provide distinguished healthcare services to the UAE community in a healthy and sustainable environment and in line with international standards. He pointed out that the initiative also supports the declaration to mark 2017 as the ‘Year of Giving’ by reaching out to the widest segments of the society, and to implement the government accelerator on the national indicator for the reduction of cancer deaths, according to the objectives of the National Agenda for the vision of the UAE 2021.

Dr. Ayesha Suhail, Director of the Ministry’s Primary Healthcare Department noted that the campaign, which started at the Dubai Festival City for two days, witnessed a large turnout of 131 Emirati and expatriate women, representing different nationalities and age groups. The next venue for the campaign, the Mall of the Emirates Mall, is also expected to draw in a large turnout as well. The free screenings will then move to the Northern Emirates where will run until June 15, 2017. The schedule will be announced by the primary healthcare centers and hospitals affiliated with the Ministry on their website in addition to the Ministry’s social media platforms. 

Dr. Ayesha explained that the 131 women who were screened have also received educational brochures and leaflets for self-examination—giving them a better understanding on the risks and symptoms as well as ways of prevention. A team of medical professionals will read and diagnose mammograms of women and present the results as soon as possible. Dr. Ayesha also confirmed the readiness of medical and technical staff to provide the best mammogram examination services in accordance with the highest international standards.

Women, who have undergone breast examination, expressed their deep gratitude for this noble initiative as it reflects the goodness and giving nature of the UAE.