MEGlobal and Dubai Autism Center join together to promote autism advocacy and awareness

In support of the Dubai Autism Center’s expansion from 50 to over 200 children

During a Ramadan Iftar event held at the Westin Hotel, Business Bay

Dubai, UAE, June 18, 2016:   With an estimated 600 children waiting to secure placement in seven autism centers in Dubai and start some form of treatment, MEGlobal, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EQUATE Petrochemical Company, and Dubai Autism Center (DAC) have joined together to raise awareness about the prevalence of autism in the Middle East during a Ramadan Iftar event for DAC children, families, and staff.

Held at the Westin Hotel, Business Bay, the Iftar hosted by MEGlobal aims to raise awareness about the center and its cause, commemorate its plans for expansion to accommodate more than 200 new children at the new premises in Al Garhoud, and promote its need for support. During the event, MEGlobal donated AED200,000 to DAC to support expenses and new equipment at the new center.

The evening’s highlights included activities for DAC children in attendance such as a bouncy castle, roaming magician, a face painter, and a balloon artist.

Dubai Autism Center, established November 2001 under the decree of the late Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is a center dedicated to the better understanding of autism, providing specialist services and accredited programs to support individuals with autism and those who care for them. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability defined by diagnostic criteria that include deficits in social communication and interaction.

MEGlobal President, Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, said: “MEGlobal’s core values include being a responsible member of the communities we operate in and to contribute to sustainability and the greater good of society at large. Dubai Autism Center (DAC) is an excellent example of a non-profit organization that is continuously growing to meet the demand of children that are in need of their services. It gives us great pleasure to make a donation to DAC during Ramadan and we wish everybody Ramadan Mubarak.”

Dubai Autism Center Autism Program Head, Sara Baker, said: “We at DAC strive to be a center of excellence to support individuals with autism and their families through our holistic approach to intervention, therapies and social awareness. This Ramadan, we are proud to share a milestone as we open our doors to more children and families in the UAE, and thank MEGlobal for their support. We are honored so many of you could take the time to share part of this holy month with us, and thank you for your belief in our cause.”

Distinguished guests of the Iftar included Deputy Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Nizar Al-Adsani, CEO of Petrochemical Industries Company Mohammed Abdullatif Al-Farhoud, Vice President of ME Corporate Development - LA/PA/ME Regional Leadership Dow Europe GmbH Raja Zeidan, President and CEO of EQUATE Mohammad Husain, and President of MEGlobal Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran.