DUBAI // Low salaries and a lack of awareness are the major reasons why about 15 per cent of blue-collar workers suffer from diseases of the eye but ignore them until the symptoms become severe.
A healthcare provider that offers free eye tests and glasses to low-paid workers said more needed to be done to improve eye care.
Construction workers are constantly exposed to bright sunlight, construction materials, chemicals, dust and sand, said Alisha Moopen, executive director and chief executive of Aster Hospitals and Clinics, who believes that there is an urgent need for regular eye check-ups among workers, in addition to broader health screening.
Proving her point, bricklayer Ahmed Khan said he ignored itching in his right eye for a week, until the swelling and pain became unbearable.
“About a week ago, while working on a site, something got into my eye. Since then it has been reddish and is itching but I continued to work,” said the 25-year-old Pakistani.
“I didn’t go to the doctor because my medical card had expired and processing of the new card was taking time. I also could not afford to pay the doctor’s fee from my pocket. I took Panadol for my pain but it never helped.”
Mr Khan eventually found someone who offered to pay the doctor’s fee and the cost of medicine. “I am thankful to this lady who helped me,” he said. “I was so scared that I would become blind just because I don’t have money. How would I work and earn? I am the only breadwinner for my family back home.”
To help workers such as Mr Khan, Ms Moopen began a campaign – Nazar [eyesight in Hindi and Urdu] – in Dubai in September last year that provides medical assistance to workers unable to afford specialist care.
The campaign also provides glasses and other medical support to the men, free of charge. So far it has reached between 2,500 and 3,000 workers, with the goal for this year of offering check-ups to 7,000 men.
Tariq Javed, who has worked as a driver for a construction firm in Dubai for more than 17 years, said he knew his eyesight was getting worse by the day, affecting his driving. But he could not afford to buy glasses and his medical insurance did not cover the cost.
“For the last year, I’ve faced problems with my eyesight. I cannot see properly on roads, especially signboards,” the 45-year-old Pakistani said.
“I knew I needed glasses but I can’t afford to spend hundreds of dirhams on doctor’s fees and glasses. I was waiting for my annual leave so that I could get [glasses] from my home country, where it would be cheaper for me.”
Thankfully he found out about the Nazar campaign and Mr Javed now has the glasses he needs to do his job safely.
Ms Moopen said that the campaign had identified that about 15 per cent of workers have eye problems. She said that the workers’ need to send money home was to blame for many of them ignoring their ailments until it hindered their work.
Normal reading glasses cost about Dh200, a figure that Aster covers for workers in the continuing campaign.
“We were able to reach out to several companies in the past seven to eight months. The ultimate goal is to screen 7,000 workers. At the pace we have been going, I think by the end of the year we should be able to reach that,” Ms Moopen said.
Aster Hospitals and Clinics is offering the free services at Aster Jubilee Medical Complex, Bur Dubai, while the free glasses are provided by Aster Opticals, also in Bur Dubai.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The biog:
From: Wimbledon, London, UK
Education: Medical doctor
Hobbies: Travelling, meeting new people and cultures
Favourite animals: All of them
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”