Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 11, 2013 Mafraq Hospital recently held a men’s health awareness campaign for governmental authority employees. Mafraq Hospital shows its commitment to the region by regularly running community outreach programmes and this campaign was brought directly to the relevant population of men who are over 45 years old and focused on male health problems.
Led by Dr. Mohsen El Mekresh, Chief of Urology and Chair of Surgery at Mafraq Hospital, the campaign began with a lecture on prostate diseases, erectile dysfunction and andropause. The educational talk was followed with free clinical examinations for employees that included vital signs, uroflow and ultrasound, as well as blood screening for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a diagnostic marker of prostate cancer. Nearly seventy men attended and all received a free clinical examination. Approximately twenty men require clinical follow-up and depending on pending PSA test results, more may require treatment. The prevalence of prostate cancer is generally lower in the UAE than western countries, however, it is still an important health concern with approximately 4.5/100,000 men being affected. Many men avoid screening, perhaps believing it to be a weakness, which is why education on the importance of regular screening is needed.
The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized structure that wraps the urethra in men. Conditions related to the prostate include uncomfortable benign diseases such as infection and enlargement, but also life-threatening diseases such as cancer. Prostate cancer is very common, according to Dr. Mohsen El Mekresh, “Approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime and it is recommended that all men above 45 years of age have their prostate checked by digital rectal examination and a PSA test.”
Erectile dysfunction or impotence is very common, with some studies suggesting a prevalence of 50% in men over 40 years of age. Dr. Mohsen El Mekresh states that the clinical importance of impotence is that, “It can be the first sign of cardiovascular disease or other serious conditions. There have been significant improvements in the treatment of impotence, including a new generation of oral medications.”
The third health issue covered by the campaign was andropause, a commonly overlooked condition caused by a reduction in androgen, or male sex hormone levels. The equivalent of menopause can occur in men and causes hot flashes, sweats, fatigue, obesity, weakness, aches, mood swings, irritability and depression. Diagnosis follows measuring testosterone in blood and treatment involves hormone replacement therapy.
Dr. Mohsen El Mekresh concluded that, “Overall the men’s health campaign was a great success and the ADIA employees benefited greatly from the education and screening. Mafraq Hospital is proud to be the first in the UAE to bring attention to the critical importance of prostate cancer screening and men’s health conditions through lectures and on site medical examinations.”
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About Mafraq Hospital:
Mafraq Hospital is a tertiary hospital with 451 beds and services include medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics, as well as surgical and critical care services that support the trauma program. Mafraq Hospital operates the largest burn unit in the country and is a Center of Excellence for ENT and Thoracic surgery.
Mafraq Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC ( SEHA ) which is responsible for the curative activities of the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Mafraq Hospital was presented with the Diamond Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in May 2011 in recognition of its quest for excellence and in support of the hospital’s commitment in putting customers’ first, providing quality care for patients and adherence to business best practice
The hospital’s physicians are amongst the best in their specialist fields with international qualifications and world class expertise The medical staff is supported by a capable and professional nursing and paramedical staff who are well trained and motivated to provide quality healthcare services to the public. Emiratization is extremely important to Mafraq Hospital and many of the hospital’s highly skilled physicians are UAE Nationals. The hospital also believes in customer service excellence and in providing quality healthcare with integrity and service excellence in a caring environment. With this in mind Mafraq Hospital launched ‘Mafraq Ambassadors – We Care’ which aims to make every one of the 2038 employees a Customer Service Ambassador.
A new hospital will open in 2015 that will replace the current Mafraq Hospital campus. The new facility will continue to provide the service and personal care that patients have come to expect from Mafraq Hospital and will secure Mafraq Hospital’s position as a leading trauma and surgery hospital. It will also serve as the community hospital for one of the fastest growing areas in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi whilst continuing to align its goals with those of the Executive Council and Abu Dhabi 2030.
www.mafraqhospital.ae
About the SEHA Health System and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC ( SEHA )
SEHA is health in Arabic. The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC- whose marketing identity is SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem . SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing our customers and communities served world-class healthcare. SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals. These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Fresenius Medical Care. SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, more than 60 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ. Visit our website at www.seha.ae.
For media information contact:
Fadya Al Kathairi
Marketing & Communications Officer
Mafraq Hospital
T: +971 2 5012068
E: falkathairi@mafraqhospital.ae
Amanda Banham
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mafraq Hospital
T: +971 2 5012443
E: abanham@mafraqhospital.ae
© Press Release 2013
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