Ultrasound machine from Etihad may save lives in rural UAE

Etihad Airways has donated an ultrasound machine to the Red Crescent mobile breast cancer screening clinic.

ABU DHABI // An ultrasound machine that will be used to scan women in remote areas for breast cancer has been donated to the Red Crescent Authority by Etihad Airways.

The Red Crescent's Rosary Campaign for Breast Cancer Exploration is a mobile clinic that provides breast cancer screening and mammograms for women in remote areas of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah.

The clinic has helped more than 800 women over 40 to date, in areas such as Alqa, Delma Island, Al Marfa and Ghantoot.

The new ultrasound machine will allow the mobile clinic to screen younger women between the ages of 20 and 39 as well. It is expected to be used by about 15,000 women every year.

Rashed Mubarak Al Mansouri, deputy secretary general for local affairs at the Red Crescent, received the machine at a ceremony held at Etihad Training Academy this week.

"We consider Etihad Airways a strategic partner in humanitarian efforts and socially responsible projects," said Mr Al Mansouri. "The donation of this machine that works toward the early detection of breast cancer will help us to reach those who are in remote areas of the country and do not have immediate access to these kinds of vital health care services."

Last year, Etihad's breast cancer awareness campaign raised more than Dh68,000 through the sale of pink ribbon pins and bracelets, donations from staff, and cabin crew bake sales.

The airline gave the donations to the Rosary Campaign, to support its drive to promote the early detection and treatment of breast cancer among Emirati women.