SKMC Celebrates the World Heart Day on October 8^th, 9^th and 10^th

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) managed by Cleveland Clinic will participate in the World Heart Day, an international event celebrated by 186 medical societies in over 100 countries from 8 – 10 of October, 2008, urging people to “Know Your Risk!” by encouraging them to learn their heart health status and methods to reduce this risk by visiting their health-care professional.

 SKMC strongly supports health promotion and awareness events and participates in many international health awareness campaigns throughout the year. SKMC plays an active role in the community by promoting health awareness about diseases and disease prevention such as cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of death in UAE and comprise 29.2% of total global deaths. The major cardiovascular diseases include coronary heart disease (heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (strokes), hypertension, heart failure and rheumatic heart disease.

 World Heart Day is aimed at increasing public awareness and promoting preventive measures to reduce the worldwide incidence of heart disease and stroke. Each year, it is focused on a specific theme and involves a wide range of activities including health checks, walks, runs, jump rope, fitness sessions, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, sports tournaments and much more. It is globally covered by the media and reaches the public in more than 100 countries on all continents.

Commenting on the World Heart Day, Dr. Scott Strong, Acting CEO of SKMC, stated that “Our objective for annually participating in the World Heart Day is to promote the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and getting regular health checks to “know your risk” related to cardiovascular disease and other associated diseases. We want to encourage the public to exercise often and eat healthier as well as realize the many benefits of living a healthy lifestyle”.

Dr. Strong thanked SKMC staff for organizing the event activities and the sponsors for their cooperation and support. “SKMC is committed to promoting health awareness among the public. We are also celebrating Emergency Nurses Day on the 17 October and observing the entire month of October as Breast Cancer Month”, Dr. Strong said.

Additionally, Dr. Norbert Augustin, MD., Chair, SKMC Department of Cardiac Sciences stated that “SKMC Cardiac Sciences Division is willing to continuously participate in Heart-related campaigns, symposiums and activities. It is our mission with the cooperation of our Health Promotion Department to increase the awareness of the public about the Heart in addition to providing advanced cardiac services that meets internationally recognized standards of excellence to the residents of the UAE”.

He added “The establishment of the Cardiac Sciences Department at SKMC for Adults and Pediatrics has reduced the medical requirement for overseas travel, as it provides comparable cardiac services to all UAE residents, and provides family members an opportunity to participate in the wellness process before, during, and after surgery. Health statistics show that the family is a vital part of the healing process and SKMC is happy to provide this service within the community. SKMC is committed continuous improvement of care to ultimately improve the health of the whole UAE population”.

On the other hand, Dr Wael Al Mahameed, Head of Cardiology Department commented on the upcoming planned cardiovascular symposium. He said “SKMC Cardiac Sciences Division is willing to continuously organize Cardiovascular-related conferences, symposiums and activities. Therefore, and on the occasion of the World Heart Day, we are planning for a cardiovascular symposium on Friday, 10^th of October 2008. The symposium will highlight the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. It is our department mission to encourage and promote scientific and medical education programs in addition to providing advanced cardiac services at SKMC that meets internationally recognized standards of excellence to the residents of the UAE.”

 SKMC World Heart Day Activities:

1.    Health Awareness Campaign: 8 – 9  October 2008

An educational booth and display for the public will be set up at the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi from 05:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Wednesday the 8^th of October and Thursday, the 9^th.

Free weight, height, glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol check-ups will be offered at the health awareness booth and visitors may also collect information about SKMC Cardiac Sciences Services, Heart diseases and other health-related topics such as nutrition and fitness. Moreover, a number of SKMC cardiologists will be available at the booth for general consultation and answering the visitors’ medical questions.

 2.    Cardiovascular Symposium: 10 October 2008

A medical symposium under the title of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and  targeted for physicians from different specialties has been organized by the Department of Cardiac Sciences and scheduled at Al Raha Beach Hotel in Abu Dhabi on the 10^th of October 2008. The talks will be given by a number of SKMC Consultant Cardiologists and experts.

 About the Department of Cardiac Sciences at SKMC

 The Department of Cardiac Sciences is an ultra-modern, state of the art, all inclusive center of excellence providing cardiac services and specialties including Non-invasive Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, and Cardiac Surgery.  The Department consists of seven (7) Divisions including Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Adult and Pediatric Cardiology, Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care; and Cardiac Anesthesiology. The division of adult cardiology has distinguished itself in region in providing 24/7 primary angioplasty, electronic reporting solutions in invasive and non-invasive cardiology, and Electrophysiology studies and ablations. It is a testament to the commitment of SKMC, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company – SEHA and Cleveland Clinic to champion the on-going development of an accessible, comprehensive, sustainable, and fully integrated continuum of care for the population of the UAE.

 About SKMC

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), located in Abu Dhabi, UAE, operates under the management of Cleveland Clinic, named among the top hospitals in the USA by U.S. News and World Report. SKMC is owned by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, recently established to oversee operations of all public hospitals in the Emirate.  SKMC is the flagship institution for the public health system in Abu Dhabi and has several 'Centers of Excellence,' and aspires to practice contemporary medicine comparable to the best hospitals and medical centers in the world. SKMC provides comprehensive health care services in all of the disciplines relevant to the needs and priorities of the community to attain the highest levels of patient satisfaction.

SKMC consists of a 550-bed Acute Care Hospital and 14 specialized outpatient clinics accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).  In addition, SKMC manages a 120-bed Behavior Sciences Pavilion, a 90-bed Rehabilitation Center, 9 primary healthcare centers and 2 dental centers distributed over the city of Abu Dhabi.