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Congress spreading health awareness among children

DUBAI — Under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Arab Children’s Health Congress (ACHC) was launched by Princess Haya bint Al Hussein in 2006 in an effort to spread public awareness on some major health concerns amongst children in the UAE and Arab world.

A UAE national, Rashid Saeed, was elected as the 2006 ACHC ambassador, representing children with special needs and disabilities. As the congress prepares to launch its second year,

Rashid will be joined this year by a new ambassador representing children with diabetes. Rashid is a an inspiring example of how personal will and achievement can conquer disability. His election as ambassador was a testimony to his success and trust that the Arab Children’s Health Congress will continue to shed light on the many hidden success stories of children with health challenges’, commented Princess Haya.

The Gulf region, a population of approximately 33 million, has more than 3.5 million diabetes sufferers. Children as young as 10 years are being diagnosed with diabetes. Therefore, the Arab Children’s Health Congress , which will be held on March 5-8, 2007 will focus primarily on diabetes among children and will discuss ways to combat the illness by spreading awareness through allowing children to assume leadership roles in debating their health issues under its motto ‘Hear me’ and carrying the theme ‘Children with diabetes’?

Commenting on his successor’s role as the ACHC 2007 ambassador, Rashid said, “The only advice that I would give to the new ambassador is to believe in him or herself. It can be intimidating being in front of all those people who are here to listen to what you are saying, but you need to believe in your vision and your opportunity to help the children of the future.”

• UAE