Dubai sets Guinness record for 'largest awareness ribbon'

October 29 is celebrated as the World Psoriasis Day.

As part of the World Psoriasis Day, Dubai has achieved yet another Guinness World Record for the largest awareness ribbon. 
Measuring 1,463.85 square metres, the large orange and orchid ribbon held centre stage at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club on Monday.

The event, organized by LEO Pharma in collaboration with Dubai Health Authority, aimed to increase awareness of the disease and the effect it has on people's lives.
October 29 is celebrated as the World Psoriasis Day dedicated to people living with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. It is a chronic non-contagious systemic disease that presents itself in the form of red patches covered by white scales all over the affected area.
Dr Anwar Al Hammadi, Head of Dermatology Department in the Dubai Health Authority, said "About nine per cent of the patients visiting Dubai Health Authority's Dermatology Centre are suffering from psoriasis. The disease affects about one to two per cent of the population globally. Fortunately, majority of those cases are mild to moderate. Psoriasis is more common in adults but in some cases it can also affect children and elderly. Most of the patients are between the age of 20 and 50."
He added, "There's an ointment-based treatment for small and localised areas. We also have oral medications and injectables, known as biological therapy, in addition to photo therapy and laser therapy. In UAE we are fortunate to have the latest forms of treatments and people from abroad come here to get treated." 
Dr. Al Hammadi highlighted that psoriasis patients are also prone to developing high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression etc, and therefore they need to take charge of their overall health. The treatment of psoriasis is more challenging if the patient is obese.

• Dubai