Sharjah: Free medical checkups for thousands of workers from July 3

Thousands of workers in Sharjah will benefit from free health screenings, medical services, and safety awareness programmes as part of the 14th annual Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign, launched by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) and the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

The campaign, set to begin on July 3 under the slogan ‘Your Safety is Our Priority,’ aims to reach over 10,000 outdoor labourers and 500,000 community members virtually. It coincides with the nationwide midday work ban during the peak summer months and reflects the UAE’s 2025 ‘Year of Community’ theme.

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The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where officials, including Mohammed Al Zarooni, director of MoHAP’s Sharjah Office, and Mona Al Hawai, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Kidney Patients, were present.

“This campaign stems from the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to protecting workers’ health and strengthening community awareness,” said Al Zarooni. “We aim to integrate workers more fully into the national health and prevention system while promoting a culture of safety across all work sites.”

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This year’s campaign has expanded its scope to include not just construction labourers but also domestic workers, delivery drivers, municipal inspectors, police officers, and factory workers. The initiative includes multilingual awareness sessions, SMS alerts, on-site educational lectures, and the distribution of protective gear, water, and food items.

Free medical checkups, including blood pressure, blood sugar, and eye exams, will be provided at over nine locations across Sharjah and its central and eastern regions. In addition, blood donation drives and educational competitions offering sun-protection giveaways are planned to keep workers engaged and informed.

To ensure compliance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation will intensify inspections at work sites during the midday ban.

Iman Rashid Saif, director of the Health Promotion Department, highlighted the campaign's alignment with the vision of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who has long advocated for the welfare of workers. “Our goal is to raise awareness about basic but vital preventive measures, hydration, suitable clothing, avoiding sun exposure, and promote healthier lifestyles among workers,” she said.

The campaign is a lifeline for those working long hours in the summer heat, and officials said it's about much more than just health checkups.

Al Zarooni said that protecting workers from heat-related illnesses isn’t just a health issue. “It’s a national duty and a shared responsibility. We want every worker to feel cared for and supported. This campaign is a message of solidarity to those who build and serve our communities every day.”

He added that more than 10,000 workers will directly benefit from services such as eye tests, blood pressure checks, and awareness sessions conducted in languages they understand. “We are not only giving them checkups, we are making sure they know how to stay safe and what to do in emergencies,” he said.

Al Hawai said that its mission is to go where the people are, at construction sites, in factories, on the road, and provide the care and knowledge they might not have easy access to. “We want them to know they are not alone,” she said.

She added that the campaign reflects the values of kindness and social responsibility. “This is about working together as a community to protect each other,” she said. “It’s about compassion, awareness, and making sure everyone, no matter where they work, gets the support they need to stay healthy.”

• Sharjah

SM Ayaz Zakir

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ayaz@khaleejtimes.com

SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.