Health - Gulf Insider

1 year ago

Oman Focuses On Healthy Marriages With New Pre-Marital Health Initiative

The Ministry of Health recently held an introductory meeting to launch a national awareness campaign focused on pre-marital medical examinations. This year-long campaign, running throughout 2025, aims to promote the importance of these examinations within the community. The pre-marital medical examination program has several key objectives. Primarily, it seeks to reduce the prevalence of hereditary blood diseases like sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia. Additionally, the program aims to foster a broader understanding of healthy marriage, prevent social and psychological challenges for families with affected children, lessen the strain on healthcare facilities and blood banks, and alleviate the financial burdens associated with treating these conditions. The campaign’s core strategy involves increasing public engagement with pre-marital examinations. This will be achieved by raising awareness among relevant sectors and reinforcing the importance of these examinations within the community. The campaign will highlight the benefits of undergoing these examinations, clearly explain the process involved, and address the associated health, social, and religious considerations. Dr. Saeed bin Harib Al-Lamki, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Health Affairs, opened the meeting with a speech emphasizing its significance and outlining the campaign’s goals. He stressed the crucial role of inter-sectoral collaboration in ensuring the national awareness […]

1 year ago

SFDA Warns Of Potential Risks Associated With High Doses Of Ginseng

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has warned against the potential risks associated with the use of ginseng (scientifically known as Panax ginseng), which is often used in alternative medicine as a general tonic to enhance energy levels and reduce stress. Consuming high doses of ginseng may cause side effects, including insomnia and high blood pressure, the SFDA said in press release. Additionally, the authority advised pregnant and lactating women to avoid using ginseng due to insufficient safety data. The SFDA also noted that ginseng may interact with various medications, including blood thinners, diabetes medications, heart medications, insomnia medications, and antipsychotics. Moreover, it can interact with caffeine-containing products such as coffee, tea, guarana, and mate. The recommended dosage is 1–2 grams of the root, taken three to four times daily for three to four weeks, with the clarification that one teaspoon equals five grams. The SFDA emphasizes that herbs should be treated with the same caution as medications. Consumers should be skeptical of unsubstantiated safety claims and consult a healthcare professional before use to understand potential herb-drug and food interactions and any associated warnings. The SFDA provides consumers with access to a comprehensive list of banned herbs and medicinal […]

1 year ago

Seven Days of Fasting: How Your Body Transforms Inside and Out

A recent study highlights that significant health benefits and molecular adaptations from fasting are detectable after three days. Recent findings show that prolonged fasting triggers significant and systematic changes across multiple organs in the body. These results highlight potential health benefits that extend beyond weight loss, but they also reveal that these impactful changes only begin to occur after three full days without food. Health Benefits of Fasting Unveiled A recent study published in Nature Metabolism sheds light on how the body responds to extended periods without food, offering valuable insights into the processes occurring during prolonged fasting. Researchers from Queen Mary University of London’s Precision Healthcare University Research Institute (PHURI) and the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences explored the potential health benefits of fasting, focusing on its underlying molecular mechanisms. Their findings lay the groundwork for future research that could lead to therapeutic treatments, particularly for individuals who may benefit from fasting but are unable to participate in extended fasting or follow fasting-mimicking diets like ketogenic plans. Historical Context and Modern Techniques For thousands of years, humans have adapted to survive without food for extended durations. Today, fasting is widely practiced for both medical and cultural reasons, with goals […]

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Urges To Take Precaution Against HMPV, Saying Symptoms Of Virus Are Similar To Cold

The Saudi Public Health Authority (Weqaya) recommended several guidelines to prevent infection with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), which is one of the common respiratory viruses. The authority explained that the virus is transmitted through coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, but its symptoms are similar to cold cases such as coughing, fever, runny nose, and sore throat. The Weqaya recommended several guidelines to prevent infection with the HMPV. It pointed out that most cases are mild, but it can cause severe illness in the elderly, young children, and those with weak immunity. “The virus can be avoided by washing hands regularly, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing,” it said. Human metapneumovirus is a respiratory disease that causes flu or cold-like symptoms, but can increase risks or lead to more serious complications like bronchitis or pneumonia, particularly among the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised people.

1 year ago

Bahrain: Batelco Fitness On Track Offers Fans A Unique Workout Experience At BIC

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is inviting fans to kick start their fitness journey in 2025 with Batelco Fitness on Track on Tuesday night at the Sakhir facility. This popular activity offers participants a unique mid-week workout at ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’. Members of the public will have the chance to break a sweat either on foot or on a bicycle within the world-class setting of a Formula 1 host venue. Tuesday’s Batelco Fitness on Track is scheduled for 6pm to 10pm under BIC’s bright floodlights. To secure a spot in the activity, visit BIC’s official website bahraingp.com or call the BIC Hotline on +973-17450000. Batelco Fitness on Track can be done either individually or with a group of friends and family. Runners and walkers will be utilising BIC’s 2.55-kilometre Inner Circuit, while cyclists will get to ride their bikes along the 3.543-kilometre Outer Circuit, with another dedicated area for children’s cycling. The cost to take part is BD2 for cyclists and BD1 for runners. Payment must be made upon booking. Children under the age of 12 can participate for free if accompanied by a paying adult. BIC’s Batelco Fitness on Track Season Pass is also still […]

1 year ago

Sedentary Lifestyle Linked To Higher Risk Of 19 Health Conditions: Study

People who lead a sedentary life, uncommitted to physical exercise, face a higher risk of various health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure, a new study confirms. A peer-reviewed study, published on Jan. 2 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in its Preventing Chronic Disease journal, investigated how physical engagement is linked to health. After analyzing hospital data of 7,261 adult patients, the study concluded that physically active individuals had “significantly lower diastolic blood pressure, resting pulse, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and significantly higher HDL cholesterol” compared to those less active. Individuals who exercised more had significantly lower rates of as many as 19 inactivity-related conditions, including anemia deficiency, chronic pulmonary disease, depression, uncomplicated hypertension, complicated hypertension, obesity, mild liver disease, drug abuse, hypothyroidism, psychoses, weight loss, uncomplicated diabetes, complicated diabetes, congestive heart failure, neurologic disorders affecting movement, peripheral vascular disease, valvular disease, neurologic seizures, and autoimmune disorders. For their study, researchers collected data from surveys submitted by patients during their hospital admission process between November 2017 and December 2022. The survey asked two simple questions related to their exercise habits—how many days per week they engaged in exercises and the time spent on such activities. Patients were divided […]

1 year ago

Kuwait: MoH sets new prices for supplements, medicines

Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al- Awadhi issued a decision to set the prices of 12 nutritional supplements, which will be added to the list of approved nutritional supplement prices. In addition, Al-Awadhi approved the prices of 289 medicines and pharmaceutical products. Article Two of this decision includes amendments to the names of 15 medicines and formulas. Furthermore, the Medical Engineering Department at the Ministry of Health has announced the launching of 14 tenders for supplying equipment and accessories to the Council of Children and Premature Children departments at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and Jahra Hospital. These tenders include medical laboratory services for the Chest Diseases Hospital and Sabah Hospital. The Medical Engineering Department said all bids must be submitted through its tender box. Bids will remain valid for 90 days from the closing date. Companies wishing to participate must be registered with the Biomedical Engineering Department and entities specialized in the relevant field. Companies must pay the prescribed fees for purchasing tender documents and submit a certificate of support for national labor when participating in the tender process.

1 year ago

Ministry Expands Saudi Arabia’s Home Healthcare Services

These services are provided by 244 home healthcare departments, with more than 2,700 specialized staff members. (SPA) RIYADH: The Ministry of Health, through health clusters, continues to provide home healthcare services throughout the Kingdom, aiming to improve the quality of living, patient experience, and provide comprehensive treatment solutions. The ministry said that basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy. Additionally, new services have been introduced, such as mother and childcare, dialysis, and palliative care. The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year, with more than 71,000 total beneficiaries since the service’s launch, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. These services are provided by 244 home healthcare departments, with more than 2,700 specialized staff members. These efforts align with the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance access to healthcare services and their quality, thereby addressing community needs. The ministry said that home healthcare services can be requested through specialized hospital departments or referrals from primary healthcare services, if eligibility criteria are met. Meanwhile, the Health Sector Transformation Program […]

1 year ago

SFDA Warns Against Using SHTINE Bottled Water Due To High Bromate Levels

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued a warning regarding SHTINE bottled water, produced by Yanabi Najd Manufacturing Company in Zulfi governorate in the Riyadh region. This warning applies to all sizes, batch numbers, and production and expiration dates due to bromate levels exceeding the maximum permissible limits. The SFDA urged consumers to avoid consuming this product and to properly dispose of any remaining bottles to prevent further health risks. The authority has taken action to ensure the manufacturer withdraws all products from the local market and suspends production. The SFDA conducted tests on samples of SHTINE drinking water to ensure compliance with Saudi Gulf Technical Regulation No. 1025 for bottled drinking water, which sets the maximum permissible bromate concentration at 10 parts per billion. Laboratory results indicated that these limits were exceeded, posing potential health risks. The SFDA emphasized its commitment to public health and will continue to monitor drinking water facilities, inspect products in local markets, and enforce regulations to guarantee product safety and quality.

1 year ago

Tragedy In Al Dakhiliyah: Fatal Bus Crash Claims Two Lives

Rescue teams from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Department (CDAA) in Al Dakhiliyah responded to a bus collision with a truck in Birkat Al-Mouz township. The accident resulted in two fatalities and nine injuries, ranging from moderate to critical. “The accident resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to nine others, ranging from moderate to critical. The injured were transported to the hospital for treatment,” CDAA said.

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Oman Focuses On Healthy Marriages With New Pre-Marital Health Initiative

SFDA Warns Of Potential Risks Associated With High Doses Of Ginseng

Seven Days of Fasting: How Your Body Transforms Inside and Out

Saudi Arabia Urges To Take Precaution Against HMPV, Saying Symptoms Of Virus Are Similar To Cold

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Sedentary Lifestyle Linked To Higher Risk Of 19 Health Conditions: Study

Kuwait: MoH sets new prices for supplements, medicines

Ministry Expands Saudi Arabia’s Home Healthcare Services

SFDA Warns Against Using SHTINE Bottled Water Due To High Bromate Levels

Tragedy In Al Dakhiliyah: Fatal Bus Crash Claims Two Lives

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