The UAE launches a national initiative to improve heart health awareness.

The "UAE Doctors" initiative yesterday launched a national campaign aimed at enhancing heart health, under the theme "Don't Miss a Beat." The launch took place during the opening ceremony of the National Cardiac Resuscitation Forum hosted in Abu Dhabi. This event coincides with World Heart Day, set for September 29.

This ambitious initiative is part of a collaborative effort involving the Emirates Medical Readiness and Response Program "Jahzeia," the Emirates Council for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and the Emirates Resuscitation Society. Supervised by the UAE Medical Reserve Team and UAE Heart Ambassadors, it coordinates with both governmental and private healthcare institutions across the nation.

The primary goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about heart health's critical importance and underscore the need for immediate intervention in cases requiring cardiac resuscitation. It aims to facilitate access to life-saving care, train emergency response teams, enhance their preparedness and efficiency, and promote heart-healthy lifestyles among diverse community groups according to global best practices.

Dr. Adel Al Shameri Al Ajmi, an Emirati heart surgeon and CEO of Zayed Giving Initiative as well as Chairman of the Emirates Resuscitation Society Board of Directors, highlighted that cardiovascular diseases are responsible for over 17 million deaths annually worldwide. They account for 22% of all fatalities within the UAE. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency to adopt innovative initiatives aimed at elevating medical personnel readiness according to world-class standards.