The Ministry of Health sent out text messages this week advising the public to schedule regular medical checkups, commonsense that is often ignored. "Next time you visit a doctor," the message reads, "ask him or her about tests you may need."
The timing of these texts could not have been better. As The National reported yesterday, 27 per cent of all deaths in Abu Dhabi last year were caused by heart disease, a largely preventable ailment with regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle. The number of patients dying from heart disease in Abu Dhabi last year rose to 763, from 707.
Doctors say the numbers can be reduced if patients and hospitals focus more on preventive measures such as regular screenings, which should be integrated into the healthcare system. To get there, though, both patients and government health officials need to reorient their thinking.
Apathy is one reasons why patients shun regular checkup, but it's not the only one. As the annual report released by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (Haad) yesterday makes clear, a shortage of specialist doctors is limiting patients from receiving the best advice.
Legally speaking, hospitals are liable if they fail to provide specialists and treatments that adhere to the best medical practices. Unfortunately, legal responsibility is not always matched by capability. We often hear stories about patients receiving a less than acceptable diagnosis at area hospitals, from missed cancers to food poisonings. Missing symptoms can have fatal results.
These stories highlight two of the major issues raised by doctors in the annual Haad study.
For one, patients are often attended to by poorly qualified staff. Specialist doctors are in critically short supply; without the best doctors, patients are left guessing. Efforts to recruit and retain doctors must be increased. Second, doctors are often guilty of rushing through even the most rudimentary tests, making misdiagnosis more common.
It goes without saying that hospitals should make every effort to ensure patients receive the right tests at the right time by the right doctors. But it is also the responsibility of every one of us to schedule periodic examinations. As the health ministry suggested with its text messaging campaign this week, it is patients who have the final word on their health.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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Company%C2%A0profile
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
Company%20Profile
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Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5