Cancer care society discusses better care of patients, families

Abu Dhabi - Some of the prominent events which target the health of the community, included the charity marathon Rahma Yas - held at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 7, as well as the consecutive International Zayed Charity Marathon held in Cairo on 18 December.

The fourth meeting of the Board of Directors of Cancer Patient Care Society (Rahma) was held in the premises of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) on Monday.

The meeting, which was chaired by Doctor Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of the Board, and Noora Al-Suwaidi, Director General of Rahma, highlighted the work plan, coordination mechanism and suggestions made from members on the activities of the society, to better serve cancer patients and their families.

Several other issues were also on the agenda of the meeting, beginning with a review of the most recent developments and the events that were either organised by Rahma or those in which the Society took part in.

Some of the prominent events which target the health of the community, included the charity marathon Rahma Yas - held at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 7, as well as the consecutive International Zayed Charity Marathon held in Cairo on 18 December.

Members also discussed events which Rahma plans to organise in the future. Among these were the joint event agreed to be organised in coordination with Al-Yasmina School in support of the UAE Red Crescent. The meeting also reviewed suggestions of the Board regarding future events that would further enhance Rahma's role.

During the meeting, the board noted a number of administrative issues including reviewing results of the meeting of the special committee responsible for ranking individual cases that require additional care and support, review of the most recent developments related to Society's headquarters, and receiving updates on the latest developments in the recruitment process.

It also looked into the invitations Rahma has received from the UAE Genetic Diseases Association, Dubai, and the Cancer Prevention Society 'Smile', for UAE-wide collaboration.

The meeting also discussed measures needed to coordinate with Shaikh Khalifa Medical City, Al Mafraq Hospital, and the Gulf International Cancer Center in Abu Dhabi, as well as Tawam Hospital in Al-Ain on patients currently under Rahma's care.

The Cancer Patient Care Society (CPCS) Rahma was established under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and was officially launched on September 15.

The organization supports the efforts being made by the UAE in the fight against cancer. It seeks to increase awareness about the disease, develop alternatives and innovative mechanisms to provide social and psychological support to patients, and to mitigate the suffering cancer causes to the patients and their families.