Abu Dhabi hospital launches health awareness ribbon campaign

Universal Hospital founder and managing director Dr Shabeer Nellikode and Abu Dhabi Police GHQ's Major Dr Younis Yaaqoup Al Yaarobi cut the ribbon during the inauguration ceremony of the yearlong awareness campaign.

Abu Dhabi - Universal Hospital will be observing September as the prostate cancer awareness month.

A hospital in the Capital has started a yearlong ribbon campaign to raise awareness about diseases that can be either prevented or treated if detected early and to support those with pre-existing diseases. 
Universal Hospital began the drive on Tuesday and will be observing September as the prostate cancer awareness month. The campaign was inaugurated by Major Dr Younis Yaaqoup Al Yaarobi and Captain Dr Abdel Raheem Hasan Al Beshir representing the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ. 
Hospital founder and managing director Dr Shabeer Nellikode said the idea behind an awareness ribbon is to encourage conversation about a cause, disease, etc. that someone feels strongly about. 
"When you wear a ribbon, you are spreading the cause and educating others to spread the word. Perhaps the most popular is the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. The ribbon is a form of communication and is intended to spark conversation. We have adopted other coloured ribbons as used by various international health organisations for each month specific to the disease. This campaign is close to our brand promise of spreading the 'wings of wellness' in preventive and curative care," the neurologist said. 
Hospital's chief medical officer Georgey Koshy said prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men. "It is the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among men in the UAE. About 20 per cent of cancer cases reported in Abu Dhabi relate to cancer of the prostate gland," said the consultant cardiologist (interventional) and head of department - cardiology. 
Urologist Osama Farouk Al Harastani said the risk is double for men with a first degree family member. 
"Those with a high blood pressure are prone to it from among the men above 50 years and hence a screening test would help in early detection and an early treatment. A delayed visit may prove detrimental." 
Urologist John Kurian said the 30-day programme is planned with series of initiatives under the slogan 'Take action, Raise awareness'. 
"A free prostate cancer screening will be done at Universal Hospital. The programme would include tests to diagnose the disease and treatment methods. Prior appointments can be made for the free test." reporters@khaleejtimes.com 

Cancer screening for men 

Prostate cancer is the fourth most prevalent form of cancer among men in the UAE. And the risk is double for men with a first degree family member. 
The Universal Hospital has included a free prostate cancer screening as part of its yearlong awareness campaign. 
Urologist John Kurian said the 30-day programme is planned with series of initiatives under the slogan 'Take action, Raise awareness'. 
"The programme would include tests to diagnose the disease and treatment methods. Prior appointments can be made for the free test."

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Major Dr Younis Yaaqoup Al Yaarobi writes on the notice board as Universal Hospital founder and managing director Dr Shabeer Nellikode looks on.

• Abu Dhabi