Hana Al Shamlan donated blood for the first time two months ago and would encourage others to follow in her footsteps.
The 32-year-old section manager for Dubai eGovernment, said there was no greater feeling than giving the gift of life. "I just wanted to help others," she said. "Giving something without asking for anything in return feels great.
"I think giving blood is a very nice and generous act and helps people, such as those suffering with thalassaemia, who are in desperate need. Giving anything, be it blood or any kind of charity, is good for the soul."
Ms Al Shamlan was inspired to give blood by her sister, Alia Al Shamlan, who is a regular donor, and did so at a blood drive held at her workplace.
To donate blood, guidelines state you must be in good health, aged between 17 and 65 and weigh more than 50 kilograms.
The Abu Dhabi Blood Bank is located in Khalidiyah and is open for donations from Sunday to Thursday between 7am and 9pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm, irrespective of public holidays.
A staff member is on duty after hours and the centre can be contacted at 02 8191700.
Dubai Health Authority's Blood Donation Centre is at Latifa Hospital on Oud Metha Road and can be contacted at 04 2193221.
jbell@thenational.ae
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5