Dubai Health adopts comprehensive framework to enhance patient safety


DUBAI: Dubai Health has adopted the Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Initiative (PSFHI), reaffirming a comprehensive patient safety roadmap aligned with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

In keeping with Dubai Health’s ‘Patient First’ promise, the PSFHI framework places the voice of the patient at the core of its efforts, ensuring safety is prioritised at every level of care across its integrated health system.

The initiative aims to both enhance patient outcomes and to create an environment that prioritises collaboration and continuous learning, ultimately delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The initiative also aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to establish the most efficient world-class healthcare system distinguished by the highest quality standards.

Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, commented,’Fostering a strong culture of safety allows Dubai Health to deliver exceptional outcomes and prioritise what matters most: the well-being of our patients. We will continu
e to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone who walks through our doors. Every day, our physicians, nurses and team members go above and beyond to deliver safe and compassionate care. Their passion is inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful for their contributions and dedication.’

Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Clinical Officer at Dubai Health, said, ‘At our integrated academic health system, we believe that patient safety is not just a goal – it’s a fundamental principle that drives every decision we make. Our values influence the way we show up each, and every day, for our patients, our students, and our communities. Today, we stand together to set new standards that not only protect our patients but also empower our teams to deliver the highest quality of care.’

Dr. Fathey added, ‘Central to this initiative is a commitment to continuous learning, driving innovation and fostering a culture of safety and growth. We are further strengthening the commitment to learning and safety through the expertise of a wor
ld-renowned patient safety expert, Professor Charles Vincent from the University of Oxford in December 2024.’

Dr. Entesar Alhammadi, Chair of Patient Safety and Quality at Dubai Health, reiterated the unflagging commitment to patient safety. ‘The safety and well-being of our patients are the foundation of everything we do. By empowering our teams to prioritise patient safety, we are embedding a culture where safety becomes a shared responsibility. This initiative paves the way for everyone to play their role in making this vision a reality in setting a new standard for patient care.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

Over 6 percent of Gaza’s population killed or injured: WHO


GENEVA: Dr. Ayadil Saberkov, Team Lead for Health Emergencies at World Health Organisation (WHO) in the occupied Palestinian territory, revealed that over 6 percent of Gaza’s population has been killed or injured following a year of war, with at least 10,000 people still trapped under the rubble.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva today, Dr. Saberkov stated that half of Gaza’s hospitals are only partially operational, with just 43 percent of primary healthcare centres functioning. He noted that 1,000 healthcare workers have been killed, delivering a severe blow to the healthcare system.

He further highlighted that at least 24,090 people are living with life-altering injuries due to the conflict, with limited access to rehabilitation centres or specialised care.

He said that malnutrition is a major concern, with over 20,000 children treated for malnutrition since January.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Monkeypox claims 866 lives in Africa this year


ADDIS ABABA: A total of 866 people have died across Africa due to the monkeypox virus since the beginning of 2024, according to the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

In its latest report, the Africa CDC revealed that 34,297 cases have been recorded across the continent since January, in 16 African countries where the virus has been officially detected.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of Africa CDC, stated that around 2,500 new cases have been reported in recent weeks, expressing concern over the decline in testing rates to confirm the presence of the virus.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Combined net profit of Korean financial holding firms grows 3.3 pct on-year in H1


SEOUL: The combined net profit of financial holding companies in the Republic of Korea grew from a year earlier in the first six months of the year thanks to a sharp increase in returns from their insurance business, data showed Friday.

Yonhap News Agency quoted preliminary data from the Financial Supervisory Service as saying that in the January-June period, the combined net profit of 10 financial holding firms here came to 14.05 trillion won (US$10.7 billion), up 447 billion won, or 3.3 percent, from the same period last year.

Net income from their banks accounted for 54.5 percent of the total, while earnings from their insurance firms accounted for 15.3 percent of their combined net profit, with returns on their financial investments also accounting for 15.3 percent of the total.

Still, the on-year increase in their combined net profit was largely attributed to insurance companies, whose combined net profit jumped 13.3 percent from a year earlier to 287.8 billion won, while that of banks dropped by 455.
3 billion won, or 5.0 percent, according to the financial regulator.

As of end-June, the combined total assets of the financial holding firms had stood at 3,672.7 trillion won, up 142 trillion won, or 4.0 percent, from six months earlier.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE takes part in 122nd Meeting of Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of GCC


DOHA: Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, has led the UAE delegation to the 122nd meeting of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the GCC, held in Doha, Qatar, on October 2 and 3.

The meeting was attended by GCC Ministers of Finance. The committee discussed a wide range of financial and economic issues relevant to the GCC countries, with many decisions getting approved to strengthen economic cooperation and promote sustainable development across the region.

During the assembly, the ministers discussed the outcomes of the 83rd meeting of the GCC Central Bank Governors Committee, as well as the meeting of the Customs Union. They also reviewed the progress of working groups formed by decisions from the previous Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee meeting.

Discussions also touched on the Ministerial Council’s decision at its 161st session regarding the future role of the Customs Union Board of Directors, as well as follow-up projects necessary to compl
ete the establishment of the Customs Union.

Other key topics addressed included the outcomes of the 13th meeting of the Committee of Heads and Directors of Tax Departments, and the 41st meeting of the GCC Common Market Committee.

In addition to Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, the UAE delegation included Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, Ahmed Abdullah Lahej Al Falasi Director General of Customs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and a number of officials from the Ministry of Finance.

Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini emphasised that the UAE’s participation in the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee meeting aims to further strengthen the economic integration among GCC countries and contribute to achieving sustainable development. He noted that the fast-changing global economic landscape requires collective cooperation
and joint efforts to formulate robust financial policies capable of adapting to these shifts. He highlighted the importance of overcoming the challenges that obstruct economic unity, which the GCC countries aspire to, stressing the need to coordinate efforts to complete the establishment of the customs union.

Al Hussaini added: ‘These meetings provide an ideal platform to accelerate the pace of joint action and achieve prosperity and sustainability in the region. We are committed to harnessing international expertise, such as that offered by the International Monetary Fund, to develop financial strategies that strengthen the resilience of our national economies and open up new opportunities for investment and development.”

During his participation in the committee’s meeting, Al Hussaini attended the opening of the “Future of the GCC” forum, held in cooperation with Georgetown University.

The forum featured a joint ministerial session with several experts and academics, focussing on the future of economic c
ooperation in the region and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Discussions also explored ways to strengthen collaboration with academic institutions to develop effective financial policies.

He also took part in a joint meeting between GCC finance ministers and central bank governors with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The gathering concluded with a joint recommitment to continued coordination among GCC countries to navigate global economic changes.

Source: Emirates News Agency

UAE Ministry of Investment drives Emirati investment in Egypt’s Ras El Hekma Development


ABU DHABI: The UAE Ministry of Investment (MoI) announced today its support and key role in the advancement of the Ras El Hekma project and the participation of Emirati companies in its expansion and growth plan. This project is one of Egypt’s most ambitious coastal city developments.

Located approximately 350 kilometres northwest of Cairo, the Ras El Hekma project has garnered significant interest from Emirati investors, drawn by its potential as a financial centre, free zone, and luxury tourism destination. The Ministry has been instrumental in streamlining processes, simplifying investment frameworks, and identifying key opportunities for Emirati companies to participate in this strategic initiative.

Modon Holding, the master developer for the Ras El Hekma megaproject, will steer the project in partnership with prominent partners from Egypt, the UAE, and the international community. With several MoUs signed, including with Abu Dhabi Airports, TAQA, and Burjeel Holding, the MoI will continue to facilitate
future collaborations, ensuring Emirati companies remain key contributors to Ras El Hekma’s development.

Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment, stated: ‘The Ras El Hekma project highlights the growing economic collaboration between the UAE and Egypt. The Ministry of Investment has worked to create an enabling investment environment, allowing Emirati companies to contribute meaningfully to Egypt’s development and fostering opportunities for long-term economic growth and shared prosperity.’

Ras El Hekma is projected to be a major driver of economic growth, contributing $25 billion annually to Egypt’s GDP by 2045 and attracting $110 billion in investments during its development phase.

The UAE’s investment in Ras El Hekma reflects the shared vision between the two countries to promote sustainable urban development, regional prosperity, and deeper economic cooperation. This megaproject is poised to become a key driver of Egypt’s tourism and economic growth, with the UAE’s MoI continuing to play
a pivotal role in guiding and promoting Emirati investments across various sectors.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Future Food Forum lays roadmap for food cluster strategy, Emiratisation in FandB sector


DUBAI: The sixth Future Food Forum concluded with a strong call for further collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive innovation and sustainability in the UAE’s food industry to achieve the strategic goals under Cluster Strategy, which aims to increase food sector contribution to the by US$10 billion in 2030.

Organised the UAE FandB Business Group (FandB Group) under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, focusing on the theme “Future Consumer, Future Government, and Future Food” in strategic partnership with the Dubai Chamber and features FoodTech Valley as an organising partner, the Forum highlighted the importance of investing in local talent development to ensure innovation and sector leadership.

The second day also saw the FandB Group announcing the Global Food Security Summit, to be hosted in Abu Dhabi in November this year, to bring together industry leaders, experts, and policymakers to address the pressing challenges of food scarcity and ensure a resilient food system for
generations to come.

The Forum hosted the award ceremony of FandB Group’s Emiratisation initiative Ishraq.

Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki, President of University of Dubai, awarded the Ishraq graduates at the event. He urged companies to prioritise the development of proactive, adaptable, and strategic thinking to effectively groom Emiratis for the private sector.

‘The Ishraq programme, a cornerstone of Emiratization efforts, has equipped candidates with the skills necessary to not only find their place in the workplace but to drive positive change. Building on this success, we are thrilled to announce the launch of the FandB Innovation Challenge in collaboration with FandB Group,’ he noted.

‘This initiative aims to inspire and empower young Emiratis to contribute innovative ideas and solutions to the FandB sector, driving growth and development in the region.’

The Ishraq programme launched by FandB Group to train young Emiratis offers a comprehensive exploration of the HR function in the UAE, with a particular foc
us on the private sector and its drive for Emiratization.

An insightful presentation by Andrey Dvoychenkov, General Manager of Arabian Peninsula and Pakistan at NielsenIQ, highlighted how the growing consumer focus on health and wellness is driving product development across industries and revealed key trends in the food sector.

He explained, “UAE consumers are increasingly prioritising health and convenience in their shopping habits. Notably, smaller brands are gaining momentum with double the sales growth of total FMCG, particularly through e-commerce. Moreover, over 30% of consumers are now willing to spend more on products that offer health and wellness benefits and are ready to pay a premium for convenience, often switching stores to access such products.”

Key sessions at the event explored automation and sustainable practices across the food supply chain; Dr. Darius Ngo from Yokogawa, in a presentation, emphasised the importance of composable manufacturing execution systems (MES) in achieving sustain
able food production, enabling greater flexibility and scalability.

The potential of digital platforms and AI solutions to reduce food waste by connecting surplus food from businesses to communities in need was also highlighted at a panel discussion on ‘The Road to Zero Food Waste’. Furthermore, a panel discussion focused on the Clean Label Movement shed light on the increasing demand for clean-label products and the importance of transparency in food labelling.

Panelists discussed the challenges and opportunities for manufacturers in meeting consumer expectations while adhering to regulatory requirements.

Saleh Lootah, Chairman of UAE FandB Business Group, said, “As we conclude this Future Food Forum, I am filled with optimism for the future of the food industry. Together, we have explored innovative solutions, discussed emerging trends, and celebrated the achievements of our industry leaders. By fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and investing in local talent, we can build a more sustainable,
resilient, and equitable food system for generations to come. I am confident that the insights gained from this event will drive meaningful change and contribute to a thriving and sustainable food sector in the region. Let us continue to work together to create a future where food is abundant, accessible, and nourishing for all.”

Source: Emirates News Agency