Circumcision cover to benefit thousands



ABU DHABI // Circumcision will now be covered under the health insurance policies of the country's largest insurer, Daman.

The company is the first in the UAE to offer this, according to the state news agency, Wam.

Neonatal circumcision, which can reduce the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, costs an average of Dh2,000 in private hospitals - almost double the cost of similar facilities in the US.

There have been calls for circumcision to be covered. In an interview with The National six weeks ago, the Grand Mufti and head of the Fatwa Department at the Dubai Fatwa Centre, Dr Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz Al Haddad, said charging for the procedure, a tradition among Muslim males, was akin to taking advantage of people.

Daman said they had numerous pleas for the surgery to be covered.

"We started to look into it because we had members and corporate clients requesting it. It was quite a popular demand," said Daman's chief commercial officer, Dr Sven Rohte. "We studied a couple of [potential] benefits that are excluded, so we regularly screen things we might include."

The company looked at the financial costs before making a decision. Given the number of males born last year whose families are covered by Daman, the move will benefit about 2,500 newborns this year.

The surgery will be covered regardless of the patient's age, although the target group is newborns.

Dr Rohte said there was no evidence that improper circumcisions were being carried out by parents trying to cut costs. "It is not the case. We have no evidence that [operations] have been done in an unprofessional environment," he said.

Claims can be made online or at any of Daman's branches.

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8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint

Greenheart Organic Farms 

This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.

www.greenheartuae.com

Modibodi  

Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.

www.modibodi.ae

The Good Karma Co

From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes. 

www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco

Re:told

One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.

www.shopretold.com

Lush

Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store. 

www.mena.lush.com

Bubble Bro 

Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.

www.bubble-bro.com

Coethical 

This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.

www.instagram.com/coethical

Eggs & Soldiers

This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.

www.eggsnsoldiers.com

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm

Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm

Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm

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Monday, January 28
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Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)

Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)

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Rating: 3/5

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Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
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Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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