16 December 2007

Gaps in knowledge put Arabs at risk with HIV

December 15 - 28, 2007
Issue 38
www.alaintimesuae.com

In a recent study entitled Break the Silence: HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, and Educational Needs among Arab University Students in UAE, three medical students Fatima Alfaresi, Shamma Almazrouei, and Amal Muraddad, together with their faculty advisors Dr. Peter Barss, Associate Professor of the Department of Community Medicine of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Dr. Maria Ganczak and Dr. Fatma Al-Maskari found ‘alarming gaps in knowledge’ about HIV and AIDS among young Arab students of UAE University.

“The students had probably not had sufficient and effective teaching about HIV/AIDS. Some thought that being in the same room with a person with HIV, eating the same food, or having a mosquito bite could make them catch the disease,” recalled Dr. Barss. “We do not know the reason for this lapse. It could be cultural or, as in many countries, reluctance to report details about diseases that might affect tourism.”

Adapting a World Health Organisation Cross-National Study questionnaire, the researchers also learned that among the 5280 first year students of the UAE University they sampled in their survey, only a third knew that there is neither vaccine nor cure for HIV and AIDS. Relationships with PLH (People Living with HIV) were also dreaded, with some 53% wanting the patients to live apart from them.

Some 57% of the respondents, on the other hand, believed that teaching about these diseases in schools was inadequate, so they relied upon the media who sometimes give out ‘conflicting coverage of AIDS research,’ resulting in more muddled minds.

“The media may not be very effective in teaching younger people. They should focus on the major shortcomings that lead to increased risk of infection and to irrational fear of persons with HIV and AIDS, and assess their readers or audiences as to whether the information provided has been effective.”

Doing something

While testing for HIV for all foreign workers and marrying couples is mandatory and religion prevents others from having premarital and extramarital relationships, there is still a need for further education and training. “We thought that better knowledge about HIV and AIDS could improve knowledge for self protection, diminish fear about being around people with the disease, and make young adults more compassionate and caring towards those who suffer from this illness,” Dr. Barss added as he explained the interventional study they later conducted involving some 2000 Grade 12 students in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Dr. Michal Grivna and several teams of medical students.

“The first study we did allowed us to actually do something, and that is to give the students interactive workshops modeled on those developed by the World Health Organisation. High school students tend to be more responsive to close interactive communication rather than teaching with fancy slides.”

The UAE government is also increasing support for awareness campaigns on HIV and AIDS. “After we did our initial survey and then the intervention study, the government was actually interested to augment our efforts. One of our former colleagues, Dr Jamal Al Mutawa, now with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, has worked closely with a committee that will provide a comprehensive program for prevention and management of AIDS in the UAE. Other branches of the government are involved too. Hopefully, based on the results of the research, educational programs for HIV in schools will be improved.”

Dr. Barss also suggested considering an organization for the PLH. “I suppose there could be a way of having some sort of group for people who know that they are HIV+ so that they can choose a spouse within that group. The young patients may want still to have a home, a partner, since most will live many years with the infection. So how do you deal with that without spreading the infection?”

Currently, the prevalence of AIDS has increased since 1990 in the Arab region, with over half a million Arabs plagued with AIDS and about 68,000 newly infected with HIV. In the UAE, the Health Ministry has identified 466 local patients, and has deported foreign workers with HIV and AIDS.


What is HIV and what is AIDS

“HIV is a virus. It is a very small, invisible particle found in the body. One can get infected with HIV and not know it. The infected person may not even get sick at all for years. But, at some point, the virus may proliferate and harm a person’s immunity or resistance to other infections, making the individual prone to other diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and others. HIV, by itself, does not get us sick until it harms our organs and allows us to be attacked by bacteria or other microbes. When it does, only then does the person become sick with AIDS.”

04 December 2007

UAEU educator wins L’Oreal-UNESCO Awards

December 01 - December 14, 2007
Issue 37
www.alaintimes.com

For the first time, a geneticist from the UAE was named among the five women known for their researches in life sciences during the World Science Day last November.

Dr. Lihadh Al-Gazali, Professor of Clinical Genetics and Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the UAE University, was given the 10th Annual L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science in the African-Arab States, ‘for the characterization of new hereditary diseases.’

Aside from the recognition, Dr. Al-Gazali would also receive $100,000 and would be officially honored on March 6, 2008 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris by Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, President of L’Oréal.

Proclaimed with her are V. Narry Kim, Assistant Professor at the School of Biological Sciences in Seoul National University in Korea for ‘elucidating several key steps in the formation of a new class of gene-regulating RNA molecules;’ Ada Yonath, Professor of Structural Biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel for ‘structural studies of the protein-synthesizing system and the mode of action of antibiotics;’ Ana Belen Elgoyhen, Professor at the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology in Argentina for ‘her contribution to the understanding of the molecular basis of hearing;’ and Elizabeth Blackburn, Professor of Biology and Physiology at the University of California in USA for ‘the discovery of the nature and maintenance of chromosome ends and their roles in cancer and aging.’

The L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards was created in 1998 by Prof. Christian de Duve, Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine (1974), to acknowledge women who have played a role to the advancement of science. Every year, it announces five laureates from Asia-Pacific, Africa-Arab, Europe, Latin America and North America.

A woman of guts

But Dr. Al-Gazali’s success was not instantaneous and easy. She has to hurdle what a mother, a wife and a career woman has to face all at the same time. “I came from Baghdad, Iraq. When I was there, I noticed the children seem to have illnesses that no one can detect, so I became interested in genetic technology and studied it in England.”

“When I came to the UAE in 1990, it was basically only to expose my children to the Arab culture. But then I found out many other genetic diseases that are very unique in this population they were not even mentioned in Western lectures. Those have kept me going,” she added.

Currently, her research bordered on dysmorphology and recessive disorders in Arab populations. She also wrote and co-wrote about 130 peer-reviewed publications. “There was no genetic service when I came here. I started it myself, and we are still trying to build a laboratory for it. The problem only is the lack funds.”

“We have more experience than those abroad because we know firsthand about the genetic diseases here. Even the West cannot always diagnose these diseases. But then, it is just in the culture of the people here to seek medical treatment outside the UAE.”

To those who disagree with the progress of genetic technology, Dr. Al-Gazali can only say that most of their researches have helped patients anyway. “People my have differing opinions about it, but the aim of the scientists is to help the patients. Most of our researches have helped our patients.”

Dr. Al-Gazali also advises other people still shaping their careers to ‘work and persevere.’ “I always tell my children – I have two girls and a boy – to work and persevere. If something fails, go on. You may have failed at that time but it does not mean that you would fail in the end. Never give up.”

Al Ain educators attend genetic forum

December 01-December 14, 2007
Issue 37
www.alaintimesuae.com

Two professors from the UAE University participated in the Second Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel in Dubai, November 20-22.

Aimed to enrich learning on genetic diseases prevalent in the Middle East, the meeting also held a dialogue between Arab experts including Dr. Bassam Ali, Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics, and Leader of the Genetics and Development Research Priority Group; and Dr. Lihadh Al-Gazali, Professor of Clinical Genetics, with the rest of the international scientific community about the ethical issues involved in genetic technology. About 109 abstracts, 30 lectures and 83 poster presentations from 31 countries were illustrated and explained.

“Genetic diseases continue to be a major health problem in many countries including Arab countries, and therefore these meetings are essential. We are already using some genetic technology here in the UAE in the form of diagnosis of genetic diseases and screening of individuals for genetic defects. The Dubai Genetics and the Thalassemia Centre have been active in this field for several years now with clear benefits to the affected individuals and their families,” said Dr. Ali.

Prof. Richard Cotton, President of The Human Variome Project, delivered the first two lectures on The Human Variome Project and Pilot Projects and on The Ethics of Mutation Databases: Correctness in Reporting Genetic Variation and its Effects. Afterwards, Prof. Edison Liu, President of The Human Genome Organisation, which headed the Human Genome Project, discussed the Integration of Genomic Sciences and Genomic Medicine.

Among of the other keynote speakers are Prof. Henk ten Have, Director of the Division of Ethics of Science and Technology of UNESCO, who talk about International Bioethics and Human Genetics; Dr. Danuta Krotoski, Acting Associate Director of Prevention Research and International Programs (PRIP), National Institute of Child Health & Development (NICHD), and National Institute of Health (NIH); and Dr. Myles Axton, Editor of Nature Genetics, who spoke about the Priorities, Publication and Credit.

A two day-workshop tackling the Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) and its Applications in Modern Medical Practice was also organized at the Molecular Cytogenetic Laboratory of the Genetics Department at the Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, November 18-19.

The Second Pan Arab Human Genetics Conference was supported by the Department of Health and Medical Services, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, Human Variome Project and Human Genome Organization. Studies deliberated were from Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, The Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Tunisia, UAE, UK and USA.

The Science of Heredity

Genetics is the science of heredity and variation in living organisms. Knowledge about the subject has been implicitly used in prehistoric times to conduct selective breeding in animals and plants. The modern science of genetics, however, seeks to understand the mechanisms of inheritance, which starts from the mutation and interaction of the genes, and find the genetic causes of human diseases.

According to The Centre for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS), a division of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences, the Gulf region has one of the highest rates of genetic disorders, with 250 conditions out of the 3000 recognized genetic diseases recorded in the UAE such as haemoglobinopathies, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, congenital malformations, Down syndrome, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia and metabolic disorders. Infant mortality, morbidity and handicap are the usual effects.

“We, at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, are also doing our part in finding the genes and mutations responsible for several rare and common genetic diseases. If those are not prevented, you can imagine the socioeconomic costs it would have at the government level and family level. Genetic technology related to diagnosis and prevention is therefore welcome,” Dr. Ali explained.

“For many of those diseases, we can only reduce their occurrence by effective screening of the parents, and then offer genetic counseling, pre-implantation diagnosis and perhaps prenatal diagnosis to members of those families. Personally, I do not see many disadvantages regarding the practice [of] genetic technology. Creating human beings based on specifications is not possible, and of course, not ethical. However, selecting embryos that are healthy or free of a particular disease prior to implanting them into a mother’s womb is possible and useful. This technology though is not available in the UAE yet.”

In the study Genetic Disorders in the Arab World, Al-Gazali, together with Dr. Hanan Hamamy, Professor of Human Genetics at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics in Amman, Jordan; and Dr. Shaikha Al-Arrayad, Consultant Geneticist at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain, found out that high consanguinity rates, isolated subpopulations with a high level of inbreeding and existence of tribal societies are the reasons why genetic disorders are widespread in Arab countries.

Restrictions brought by certain cultural, legal and religious limitations as well as the lack of preventive public health measures and inadequate healthcare before and during pregnancy only aggravate the problem.

But although medical genetic research has lead to the treatment of these diseases and intends to ‘allow individuals and families to make decisions relating to lifestyle, fertility and planning,’ several ethical concerns continue to prop up. After all, genetic technology cannot still find a cure on the vast majority of genetic disorders.

Genetically affected children are also being 'classified' in education systems, and they may suffer a loss of self-esteem. Taking a genetic test can also reduce one’s chances for employment or for getting insurances. “One of the fundamental objections to genetic testing is that it constitutes an unacceptable degree of interference with Mother Nature. Some faiths spell out God's will in church doctrine… Rather than improving one's quality of life, taking a genetic test can often be the start of a string of closed doors.” (Genetic Testing - Issues, Arguments, Ethics and Morality)

Still, Dr. Ali prefers to pursue the subject. “Genetic technology gives information. And it is allowed in Islam, or from my personal understanding anyway. You are not interfering in the pregnancy of a woman and you are not aborting a child. You are just checking if the embryo has a disease or not and helping in conceiving a healthy baby.

“It is not being too smart. If you have the chance of preventing the conception of a baby with a serious illness then why not do it? What is the problem? We are not talking here about choosing an embryo with the right eye colour or height but illnesses where the child will almost certainly die after 2 or 3 years of birth by wasting gradually and dying in pain. So what is wrong with preventing the conception of a diseased embryo like that? This is science helping and improving people’s quality of life. You cannot hold on because you fear that somebody might use the technology in a negative way. And generally, genetic technology has benefited mankind immensely over the years, and will continue to do so, in all kinds of diseases including infections, heart diseases and diabetes.”

Terms You Should Know, as explained by Yousef Abdulrazzaq, Professor of Paediatrics at the UAE University

Genetic Treatment or Gene Therapy – “Basically, it is a technology that replaces genes. With this, you [would] know what and where the exact problem is, and facilitate genetic counseling.”

Genetic Technology – “It refers to the ability to demonstrate a specific gene that is missing, which could only mean that you have a genetic disorder, or where the mutation has occurred in a particular gene. It is not the only answer [to treat a genetic disorder], but it has been very beneficial, the best thing as of now. Of course, it is important that we have proper nutrition and exercise, but people have specific genetic disorders wherein the cells have to be replaced because it can affect the other organs in the body. There are very many other genetic disorders that you cannot do anything about despite of good nutrition and healthy habits. Genetic technology has also been used to produce drugs such as insulin, which we previously get from animals only.”

19 November 2007

59-year old woman is Slim Queen

A 59-year old woman recently won the Slim Queen Calorie Competition against 23 other female fitness enthusiasts at the Tawam Hospital-John Hopkins Medicine Recreation Centre.

An Assistant Nurse at Jahli Clinic at day, Warda Helal Rabadi, swims, walks and runs at night (or vice-versa, if her duty turns out to be in the afternoons or in the evenings). “Since this centre opened seven years ago, I have started going to the gym. I always like to walk. I used to walk in a field before in Jordan because our village was so far and there were no cars. Walking then became a habit; it is nothing new,” said Rabadi.

“When I went here, I continued walking even though it is only around our accommodation or in some areas in the city. Whenever I walk, I am always happy, and I can make other people happy too.”

With no children of her own, Rabadi spends her vacant time swimming for two hours, walking for an hour and running for 50 minutes. She also read religious books – with no reading glasses at all.

Her prize in winning the 4,500-calorie competition was just the tip of the iceberg for her. “I like to win. Everybody likes to win. But what I like most is the company of the other people, being able to talk to them, being with them,” added Rabadi, who also bagged the first place during the Walk-For-A-Cause, a breast cancer awareness campaign of the Tawam Hospital held last year.

Weighing only 50 kilos, Rabadi also reaps health benefits from not sitting in the sofa and sulking at home all day like some would do at her age. “I did not have a major illness since 1987 when I had a disc. After 17 days that I were in the hospital, I resumed walking and just refrained myself from lifting heavy things. Now, I am not even taking Panadol for my back; I do not need to. Indeed, walking regularly has helped me.”

“If I keep saying that I am old enough, I will then just be sitting, doing nothing. But when I started running, I feel like I am not nearly 60 years old. Instead, I feel like I am only 16. So I advised other old people to just try. Try to walk, try to swim. It has nothing to do with age. Do not say no, but try.”

Health Watch: Swinging to the rhythm

As pieces of equipment for exercise are getting more technological savvy and fitness centres are mushrooming around the corner, dance instructor Tess Divina decided to teach her students the most convenient and effective way to lose weight and boost their self-esteem: dancing.

“I volunteered to teach a dance club here. I want to share with everyone what I have learned when I joined the Philippine Dance Club here in Al Ain and ballroom dance classes in Dubai. My target is also to lose weight and to share to everyone what I have learned,” said Divina, who is also working as a Secretary for Quality Management at Tawam Hospital-John Hopkins Medicine. She is currently teaching swing to some 17 ladies also working at the hospital.

“There are a lot of benefits: You will be moving a lot, you will be doing more than you would when exercising with a machine, and you will be meeting a lot of people. Some of the participants may not really know the steps. But when they hear the music and they see people dancing, they are encouraged to dance,” she added.

Researches prove that aside from the social benefits dancing offers, it also has health advantages. One half hour of continuous dancing can burn as many as 400 calories, and it could enhance blood flow to your limbs and organs, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, intensify stamina and flexibility, increase bone mass, maintain proper posture and body alignment, aid in waste removal in the brain, improves neuro-muscular coordination, and reduce the risk of dementia in the later years of life.

Dancing can also keep kids physically fit, develop their talent, enhance creativity and appreciation of the arts and build self-confidence. Since it requires a lot of movement, children can learn to be graceful and well coordinated with the music helping their minds relax. It can also assist children to understand different histories for every culture has its own dance.

Even cancer patients can gain from dancing. Through the Dance Movement Therapy, the anxiety and stress they feel will be lessened, their moods will be uplifted, and their sense of hope, ease, strength and social support will be strengthened.

20 October 2007

Like the BNPP

The National Broadband deal is facing a lot of controversies today due to impracticality and allegations of bribery like what the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant had 30 years ago. Till now, aside from disputes on its safety and economic viability, corruption charges committed by the contractors as well as the Marcos Administration had arisen. Bataan might have been the best site for a nuclear power station (as argued by the IAEA experts), it might have been designed to withstand earthquake and any lava flows, and it might have used low-enriched uranium and non-explosive fuel, but these measures did not cloud the fact that almost $2.1 billion was spent for a $600 million only nuclear plant, augmented by the payoffs for the government officials.

The idea of using nuclear power in the Philippines was considered in June 13, 1958 when Republic Act 2067 or the Philippine Science Act was enacted, creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). It was mandated to conduct researches and develop atomic energy. Ten years later, through the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act (Republic Act 5207) was passed and gave the PAEC the authority to issue building and operating licenses of nuclear facilities in the country.

The second feasibility study undertaken by the UN Development Programme and the Coordinating Committee for Nuclear Power Study (CCNPS) led the next step in building the nuclear power plant. A year after President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, all the committee’s thinking was where the plant should be situated and what type of reactor should be used. This had brought them to Morong, Bataan and settled them on a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR).

The $1.1 billion contract between the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Westinghouse Electric Corporation was already in place, including the provisional and construction permits to assemble the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). But a civilian nuclear accident in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania caused the construction to stop in June 1979 and compelled another commission to look into the plant’s safety. It was not only until September 1980 and another $1.95 billion that work for the nuclear plant resumed. But that was not until more and more Filipinos became anxious of the project; it did not help that over 4,000 defects were found out in the construction of the plant and it was built near a volcano and earthquake fault.

The Aquino administration listened to the pleas of most of her constituents and, through the Presidential Committee on Philippine Nuclear Power Plant, filed a lawsuit against Westinghouse for bribery and overpricing. They ended up into a compromise whereby Westinghouse would be responsible in the upgrade and operations of the plant, and would pay the country $10 million in cash and $75 million worth of discounts on non-nuclear-related equipment, while the Philippines will be paying $40 million in return. The case, however, was rejected by the United States.

Under President Fidel Ramos, the chance of a nuclear power program was reconsidered. Within two years that the Nuclear Power Steering Committee (NPSC) was formed, it proposed to convert BNPP into a combined gas cycle plant. “We found that conversion is technically possible, but economically unwise. New and dedicated coal or natural gas fired power plants would give much higher efficiencies, and thus would give the Philippines much better value per peso spent on fuel consumed. The M.E.T.T.S.'s study concluded that the only way of obtaining a reasonable return from the Bataan 'machine' is to use it as a nuclear power plant.”

But the Constitution has ruled out utilizing the BNPP again – although it has not prohibited converting the plant into a fossil fuel power station; although Filipinos has paid $155,000 a day for thirty years for its management and maintenance; although the CEO of Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC), Thelmo Cunanan, himself admitted that the BNPP is the country’s white elephant; and although a South Korean company has expressed an interest in taking over the nuclear power station and developing it into commercial operation.

Why it should not be worth the risk when our dependence on oil, which makes the economy vulnerable to sudden spikes in its world prices, will be reduced once we decided to employ nuclear energy is what its proponents are arguing about. In 2000-2001, the Philippines has imported 349,000,000 bbl/d of oil because it was only able to produce 23,500 bbl/d when it consumed 377,000 bbl/d.

So why would the Philippines be different when its electricity demand grows 9% per year until 2009? How would its four hydroelectric plants in Mindanao that can give out 650 MW only and its 150 MW hydroelectric facility in Luzon fill the 10,000 MW needed two years from today? To date, there are already 31 countries operating 435 nuclear power reactors, providing 6.5% of the world’s energy and 15.7% of the world’s electricity. Our Chief Executive, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, supports the Department of Energy of its Energy Plan for 1998-2035, which envisions nuclear power to provide the 600 MW needed in 2021-2025.

Because there is still the geothermal energy to which the Philippines is the second largest producer. There are still fossil fuels and hydropower plants installed on the Agno and Angat rivers of Luzon and María Cristina Falls on the Agusan River of Mindanao. There is an oil production field in West Linapacan. There is the Malampaya Field, which also contains gas reserves. And there is the Alternative Energy Program, which considers the "alcogas" (gasohol) and "cocodiesel" (coconut oil in diesel fuels).

Among of the companies that are helping promote renewable sources of energy are: Solar Electric Company Inc., Green Energy LLC (GESOLAR), Reiden Development Management and Marketing Corporation, Physics Research Cebu, Alternative Energy Solutions, ALTENSOL Corp., Asian Renewables, Cammon WindSolar Energy Inc., CHRP Solar Fil Enterprises, Edward Marcs Philippines Inc., Edward Marcs Philippines Inc., Energy Saving Solutions (ESS), Freidrich Enterprise, La Union Solar Energy Systems, Maxx-Energie Ventures Corp., Physics Research - Engineering & Consulting, SolarDeck Inc., Sonne, Sunsaver Technology & Manufacturing Corporation, and Talion Equipment And Contracting, Inc..

Nuclear Power may bring lower power rates and attract investors to the Philippines. It may produce very little carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse gases” that destroy the ozone layer. It may become generally cheaper and more stable than other fuels in the long-term. But the risk involved is not worth taking as of now, especially with a third-world country like ours. We should do something else for the mean time to save or maximize the energy we need like developing alternative sources of fuel. It is simply the safer and peaceful choice.


References:
Clarke, M. et al. Options for the Conversion of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
to Fossil Fuel Firing.

Porcalla, D. Graft Raps Re Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Bid vs. Disini Revived. 02 Jul 2004.
Quilop, R. Using Nuclear Energy: A Philippine Experience.
Samonte, A. GMA wants nuke power harnessed. 21 Aug 2007.
Wilson, K. Philippines: Bataan nuclear plant costs $155,000 a day but no power. 30 Jun 2004.
Villafania, A. To save environment, go nuclear, says DOST exec. 13 Jun 2007.Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabsEnergy and Power, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Philippines-ENERGY-AND-POWER.html

House of Arts offers music class for special children

September 22- October 6, 2007
Issue 32
www.alaintimesuae.com

Her passion for music inspired Gabrielle Malzahn, Director of the House of Arts, to establish a music class that would serve the children with special needs in Al Ain.

“Music is such a wonderful tool to help the special children realise and enrich their lives. It would help them express themselves because, often, they do not have any language that can make them do it. Music, therefore, will be their channel. Whatever the outcome is in the end, it is the process that is important because it would give them a way to express, deal with frustrations, socialize and learn non-verbal communication. And you know, they are just human beings like everybody else and they should have chances to live their lives as well,” said Malzahn.

The Music Class for Children with Special Needs has just started its first term last September 8, but they would still be opening for more groups. “We want to have more children, but we will keep only four in a group.” Sessions can be on a Monday or a Thursday, at 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., and there will be a behavioral therapist and a music teacher present.

“The aim is to have the kids in tuned with the rhythm, with the feelings and with the emotions through music. Sometimes we cannot express ourselves with words, but we certainly can express ourselves with actions and, in particular, through music. Music is such a fabulous way to distress our minds and bodies, and kids, particularly kids with different needs, will benefit from it because they are always wired up and much more frustrated than we can think of because they too want to communicate with us. But it is very difficult for them to express what they want us to understand. So what we are doing here is give them a therapeutic session using music,” said Tatiana Margan, Behavioral Therapist of the House of Arts.

Margan’s theory on using music in teaching children with special needs is based from researches that conclude the many benefits music can give. Aside from being able to stimulate speech development, music can also aid in memory and learning by organizing information into smaller chunks, and create a meaningful environment for socialisation and leisure pursuits. Music can also improve functional communication, promote relaxation and auditory feedback, and process sensory stimulation as well.

“Passing around something that makes sounds already teaches them interaction, succession, and rhythm, among others. But of course, some might not benefit from this; it is very important to try and see. I have seen different countries that have given wonderful results when they have treated special children with music. Hopefully, we can teach them an instrument. I particularly know of somebody from my country who plays piano beautifully, but that is only what he can do.”

Recently, the UAE has created programs to assist these people. Last June, the first language speech centre in Abu Dhabi has opened. It teaches Arabic and English and is open for all those who need language and speech therapy regardless of age. The Health Authority -Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has also collaborated with the New England Centre for Children (NECC) to treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and support their families.

There are also schools – most of which are non-profit organizations – set up in some of the emirates. These are the Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs, which is managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs; the British Institute for Learning Development, which offers a neuro-developmental programme, sensory integration therapy, educational psychology, SAMONAS (spectrally activated music of optimal natural structure), reading development programme, play therapy, speech therapy and auditory processing; the Dubai Center for Special Needs;

Emirates English Speaking Centre; Emirates International Center; Future Centre for Special Needs; and the Special Needs Family Children Development Center.

Even the UAE Armed Forces lent a hand in motivating people with special needs. Last year, in an agreement with the ministry’s Centres for Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs, about 300 people were entrusted civilian jobs. "These people are a very important part of our society. We need to rehabilitate them so they can also play their role in social development... I hope this important agreement will lead to further developing the skills of these people and provide more job opportunities for them," Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior was noted saying.

Three legislations were also passed to protect these people: Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, which gives the disable person the right to lodge lawsuit at court if his/her right is abused whether at work site or public places; Federal Law No. 2 of 2004, which instituted the Zayed Supreme Establishment for Humanitarian Welfare, incorporating the Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, Social Welfare and Juveniles Authority, Zayed House for Comprehensive Care, Abu Dhabi Elderly Centre, Al Ain Handicapped Centre, Al Ain Handicapped Club and the Rehabilitation Centre for People With Special Needs; and another law that will require private sector companies with more than 100 employees to delegate 3% of jobs for the people with special needs.

Al Ain launches sports centre

September 8 – September 21, 2007
Issue 31
www.alaintimesuae.com

A new sporting facility has opened early this month ensuing the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE to turn Al Ain into a sports destination.

Situated on the west side of the city (at the south of the road between Tawam Hospital roundabout and the Maqam Palace traffic lights, where the old Equestrian Centre was), the Palm Sports Resort is a sporting facility comprised of a 9-hole grass golf course, an equestrian centre and a rugby club. Another 9-hole golf course, race track, grand stadium, a shooting club and a 120-room hotel will be added once the second phase of the resort is finished within the next two years.

The Golf Course also has advanced teaching equipments, a floodlit driving range and putting area, 40 electric carts, 16 caddies, and changing facilities, among others. Within the restaurant is an indoor golf simulator that stages the other golf courses in the world.

Beside it is the Equestrian Centre, a purpose built facility with air-conditioned stables for 70 horses and a clubhouse. Around 30 horses will be available for its Riding school, which will provide horseback riding lessons in all levels.

On the other side is the Rugby Club, which will be the new home of the Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club. The Rugby Club has two floodlit grass playing fields, 300-seater grandstand, a 25-meter swimming pool and separate toddlers pool, two tennis courts and a fitness centre. Its clubhouse is sectioned into two bars: the Ruck-and-Maul, which consists of a restaurant and a sports bar theme with four wide screen televisions showcasing all sports around the world; and the Terrace, which offers an outdoor atmosphere to its users.

“The first game will be on September 14, and we will be going against the players from Kuwait. About 15% of our players were Muslims, and we are inviting the local children to come and play. Every two weeks, we will have games here,” said Steve Arnott, Chairman of the Al Ain Rugby Club.

“Many expatriates play rugby. We have 200 members of the club last year. About 120 children and 50 adults are playing the sport. In the Gulf Region, there are more than 2,000 adults and 3,000 children playing rugby… We are just beginning here in the UAE. We have a team called the Arabian Gulf made up of all the best players from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait and Bahrain. They are all picked and they represent the Middle East as one team called the Arabian Gulf.”

“Rugby is a very safe sport – we will also conduct training courses that will teach safety for them – and a very easy game for children. It has more physical contact than the other sports. In soccer, you just kick the ball and stand around. In rugby, you have to kick the ball and attack people as well. But the club will not only host rugby. Members can play other sports such as swimming, scuba diving, soccer, tennis, netball, judo and softball.”

Abu Dhabi poses for education growth

Education department and technical institutions planned
August 25 – September 7, 2007
Issue 30
www.alaintimesuae.com

Education, for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, is ‘a pillar that will enable the emirate to meet the standards of excellence achieved in the most highly educated countries in the world.’ And starting this school year, the government will be working on the ‘highest quality, comprehensive system of education that applies world-class standards and expertise,’ which was only available overseas.

Based on the Policy Agenda 2007/08, an 83-page document containing 18 policy statements on energy, health, urban planning, transport, labour, environment, culture and heritage, the education sector will be undergoing administrative restructuring and streamline processes to give the Ministry of Education more time regulating educational institutions rather than directly supervising their day-to-day operations. This action will eventually goad the private sector to redouble their participation in the field as well as their collaboration with the public sector.

Integrating key platforms to the proposed education initiatives, launching of early childhood education programs, assessing school operations and partnering with some international institutions are the other strategies the government will implement to attain a world-class education. “The development goals of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be achieved only with the support of a sophisticated and entrepreneurial workforce,” the agenda stated.

Among of the reforms is the Public-Private Partnerships for Public School Management Pilot Project, which will determine if the participation of private providers currently managing 30 schools in Abu Dhabi should be expanded. “Early indications of improved educational outcomes mean that the pilot program will be expanded to another 30 schools from September 2007. Whereas the first 30 pilot schools cover Grades K to Five, the second wave of PPP schools will cater for Grades Six to Nine.”

The government also wants to coordinate school planning between federal and local government departments. “The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is completing a demographic study, to inform planning and civil works decisions on the future needs for new or upgraded school facilities. And greater coordination will be required with the Department of Municipal Affairs and private property developers in order to coordinate public planning for schools in new residential developments, and with transport authorities to facilitate public access to schools.”

Technology learning platforms will also be at hand. Anything that will allow for an efficient administrative and data management, effective curriculum delivery and student learning system, and access for teacher-to-student and teacher-to-parent communication will be employed.

2007 Projects

On top of the list of the proposed approaches is to establish a Department of Education, which will manage the progress of education in the emirate; and the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, which will provide international vocation based training on health, legal and tourism.

Next in line is to empower local and international private sector education providers by introducing public schools throughout Abu Dhabi. “This initiative further builds on the government’s effort to more effectively leverage the expertise of the private sector in the delivery of education services.”

A new curriculum, which will focus on health and physical education, will be applied to Grades Six to Nine in all PPP and model schools, following a review conducted by the ADEC. They will also work with relevant public health entities to help in propagating the importance of a healthy lifestyle. “While schools do have physical education courses, there is an insufficient focus on healthy living and disease prevention.”

To compensate for the 44% of teachers who are already in practice but do not hold university degrees, a skills development training will be provided by the Emirates College for Educational Development to strengthen professionalism among the existing teachers. Newly entering teachers, on the other hand, are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree, know English and attend a university-level teacher training certification course.

Previously, the government has laid out foundations to advance its education system. His Highness has issued Law No. 14 establishing the Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. The emirate has also agreed with graduate business school INSEAD and Colorado of Mines, while the first higher education, the UAE University, concurred a 28-year concession agreement with the Al Hikma Development.

Technical education is also given prime importance as a corporate with financial and administrative independence, the Institute of Applied Technology, was funded two years ago to lecture on aviation, automotive, health and defence. The National University of Science, Technology and Research was also established to further technical and vocational education.

Al Ain researcher advises against giving water away

July 28 - August 10, 2007
Issue 28

www.alaintimesuae.com

Weeks ago, space photographer Farouk Al Baz who is also a veteran of the Apollo Programme, and a Research Professor and Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing at Boston University in the United States, discovered large underground reserves and numerous courses of rivers and streams under Arabian deserts through radar images. He pointed out that these ‘have yet to be exploited’ and ‘could provide vital resources for agriculture in some of the world's driest areas.’

In reaction to this, Dr. Ahmed Murad, Coordinator of the College of Sciences-Research Affairs at the UAE University, warn against heeding to his hint. “The Arabian Peninsula, including the UAE is facing a problem related to the water, so it would be better to use these waters here in our country instead of transporting them overseas. If the waters are pure, we need to use them as a reservoir for drinking water. Let us secure our countries first, and then transport the remaining later on,” he said.

“Here in the UAE, the water resources are facing a serious problem due to many factors. One of which is the population growth. Immigration increases to the country and that is why there is insufficient amount of water,” he added.

“Second, an economy requires water. Without water, there can be no growth in an economy. Ours depend mainly in water. Water is life. Without water, agriculture will also not grow. Industries will not grow too. Without water to suit a human’s need, the economy will not proceed since it requires human beings to monitor and operate it. It will suffer, so you need to provide sufficient amount of water for these uses.”

“Most of the people in UAE use desalinated water. If we would get the waters underground and if there is sufficient quantity of them, we should use it for drinking purposes first. The groundwater is fresh, and that would reduce our need for desalinated water, thereby lessening its cost.”

Dr. Murad will be one of the researchers the UAE will be sending for the 4th Annual Meeting of Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) on July 30 to August 4 at Bangkok, Thailand. He is going to present four studies namely the Assessment of Surface Water and Groundwater in the UAE, the Evaluation of the Falaj Water in the Al Ain area in the UAE, and about the Interaction of Water and Aquifer in a plain near Jebel Hafeet.

Reference:
E. Landais. “Call to tap hidden water under desert.” Gulf News. 01 July 2007.

Finally, a building that breathes

May5 - May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com

In collaboration of the UAE University and the University of Aberdeen, and with the support of the Dubai Municipality and the Al Hamad Group of Dubai, the first dynamic breathing building (DBB) will be erected in Al Ain.

"Our buildings need to breathe because you need to bring air to the occupants of that building. In most buildings, the air comes in through pipes. But in the type of building we are talking about, we developed an innovation called 'dynamic insulation,' wherein the ventilation can come through the walls or through the roof," Dr. Imbabi said.

"Usually, a building uses a lot of energy. But it loses it through the walls that 'pulls' the air that people breathe. It is as if you are throwing air away. With a breathing building, the air becomes trapped through the walls, pre-cooling the building with less energy. Aside from energy conservation, a breathing building can filter the air that comes in and comes out. What is more is that the air that is exhausted out will be cleaner than the air that came in because of this wall system. All in all, you have a building that functions with less energy, and with a clean-up technology that picks up pollution so that you can have a healthy life both inside and outside of the building."

Dynamic breathing buildings, although serving an ideal function, will not look any different from other buildings. "It will just give you more pleasant energy. You know, everybody is talking about the environment, especially the hazards of global warming. This is a technology that would enable us to do something about that."

Developers will also gain from DBBs. "In the UAE, the benefit is even greater. In addition to saving some energy and refining a building system, air-conditioning costs will also be reduced. We have tried this out in a residential block in Abu Dhabi last year from June to December using an 'Energyflocell.' There, we measured the performance of the system in this kind of environment, and we found out that it will work here throughout the year without any problem. It is also applicable to commercial and residential buildings alike in an affordable price."

But, just like with other researches that did not come into being, DBBs run into the risk of staying as an idea only. "Although this would be an opportunity to produce a 21 st century building, the economic argument is very strong because it will cost twice the amount of a conventional building. But fortunately, there are some countries that already showed interest in this project. In fact, I was in Korea three weeks ago to sign a memorandum with them. I think, once it is shown in one or two buildings, many people will benefit. It will hit off in a big way."

Lack of HIV and AIDS education hounds Al Ain students

May 5 – May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com


There is an insufficient knowledge on the issue of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among the Grade 12 students of Al Ain as well as a lack of support for the patients who have the disease, Dr. Michal Grivna, Assistant Professor at the Department of Community Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University found out.

In their research entitled "Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs among UAE High School Students regarding HIV/AIDS," Dr. Grivna and his peers discovered that only 89% of males and 92% of females believe that HIV is a virus, while 57% of males and 60% of females consider AIDS as a disease. The study was participated in by 1903 students from 18 schools in Al Ain (1525) and Abu Dhabi (378). Out of the respondents, 57% were UAE nationals while 99% are Muslims.

" The main goal of our present study was to act upon the results of our first survey in order to reduce the frequency of HIV transmission among young Emiratis and other Arabs in the UAE by improving knowledge about HIV and AIDS prevention among Arab high school students in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. A second goal included helping train medical students in research methodology, AIDS educational methods, and methods of evaluation of educational interventions for health promotion. A third goal was to provide research-based recommendations for future HIV and AIDS teaching for the Department of Preventive Medicine and School Health Authorities," he said.

Only 19% of males and 9% of females adhere to the fact that mosquito bites can cause an HIV transmission. About 95% of males and 96% of females thought babies can inherit their mother's disease. Some 71%, on the other hand, insisted on having HIV tests, and 12% would report to the police if they had the virus during a premarital intercourse.

In lieu of this, Dr. Grivna's team had conducted an intervention programme to rectify the presumptions of the students regarding the virus and the disease. "Prior to the intervention, there were many misconceptions of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Overall, there were highly significant improvements in both knowledge and attitudes after the intervention."

"We recommend that this educational program should be given to all high school students, and perhaps also to university students. The program should be given by individuals who have received appropriate training in conducting the workshops, as these are essential in helping to modify attitudes. Since the time requirements are minimal, all schools should be able to include HIV/AIDS educational interventions of this nature in their programs."

Dealing with Thalassemia

January 13 – January 26, 2007
Issue 14
www.alaintimesuae.com

When Dr. Elsadig Kazzam, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Professor in UAEU-Faculty of Medicine, did his research about the human heart, he saw that a certain blood disorder could affect it and lead to more fatal problems. So he talked to some of his colleagues who also happen to be interested with the infection, considering it not only as scientific research problem, but as a public problem as well. Their curiosity and willingness to improve the quality of life inspired them form a group, chaired by Dr. Kazzam, which will help combat the disease.

“We are building a society now, the Thalassemia Research and Working Group. This group would try to work with the patients in Al Ain. Our working group is going to check on the four aspects of thalassemia, while the research group, in his or her own specialties, will be doing researches on this,” said Dr. Kazzam. “Now, we are currently looking on the effect of thalassemia on heart. Usually, there are two reasons why a patient dies because of his or her heart: because of heart failure or abnormalities. The latter can be brought by the blood transfusions a person with thalassemia needs to have, as the extra iron can accumulate in the heart leading to iron overload,” he added.

Thalassemia is a condition that occurs when the proteins in the hemoglobin is altered or mutated. This happens when one or more of the genes – the alpha or the beta hemoglobin chain – fail to produce protein. It has two types: the thalassemia minor, which is a situation where only one of the genes is not working, and the thalassemia major, which is a situation where genes fail completely. Thalassemia minor is less severe than thalassemia major.

Among the objectives of the group are to have a Patient Care Officer that will give their patients the best possible treatment and follow up on them; have a Family Support Officer who will assure, comfort, advise and give psychological and moral support to the patients’ families whenever they need help; and make a ‘thalassemia register’ in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi that will contain information on all patients such as their name, age, social condition, and others. “But it will be keep anonymous so that only the people involved will know about it. This will be useful for the government, patients, relatives and researchers,” said Dr. Kazzam.

“We also like to increase public awareness and community service. We will have symposiums and lectures, and orient the families, societies, communities, women associations and patients associations. We would also organized highly specialised courses where we would invite national and international experts to deal and discuss the problem of thalassemia.”

The Thalassemia Research and Working Group is composed of hematologists, cardiologists, psychologists, scientists, x-ray technicians, and members of the UAEU-Faculty of Information. It also contacts from the United Kingdom. “I hope that when this group establishes itself, it will be a Thalassemia Society in Al Ain or in Abu Dhabi. After we ascertain this, we will coordinate with the Dubai Thalassemia Centre to work as one team.”

Touring Al Ain Zoo

January 13 – January 26, 2007
Issue 14
www.alaintimesuae.com

Amidst the biting cold, there is always a good reason to stay here in Al Ain. Trying to be at par with modern zoological parks in the world is the Al Ain Zoo, which has 68 species of mammals, 88 species of birds and 35 species of reptiles to date. It has been renovated last summer and is now set to give outright education and fun.

“Together with the Al Ain Zoo Technical Committee, I have conducted rapid improvements and implemented a series of programs for the development of the zoo,” said Mark Craig, Director of the Al Ain Zoo. “We were trying to resemble what you see in the wilds of Africa. We have added green areas and picnic areas, and upgraded our services as well from our toilets to our restaurant areas to our shade facilities. Right at the zoo entrance, we have placed exhibits such as the Mixed Arabian exhibit, where the Arabian Gazelle and the Arabian Oryx together in a landscape that looks like the wild; and the Mixed African and Savannah Exhibit, where we have 70 different species of animals from Africa. In the coming weeks, we will put up an education centre to look after students visiting the zoo. This will be really a new experience for the public as they would engage themselves in education and entertainment at the same time,” he added.

Currently, the 850-hectare wildlife sanctuary has only its 50 hectares open to visitors. “But it’s still big. Any zoo beyond 50 hectares is really big. We call it the ‘Core Zoo’,” said Craig who had been a keeper in Adelaide Zoo in South Australia when he began his career in 1985. Within 23 years of his service there, he became the zoo’s Bird Supervisor, Curator, Manager of Life Sciences, and Director. He also managed the Monarto Zoological Park, a 1000-hectare open range zoo in South Australia.

Craig’s love for animals materialized in the zoo. "Passion for animals and wildlife has always been with me. Whenever I travel in my travels in Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia, I study the animals there and visit their zoos. The first species that I was made to look after were penguins. And then I worked with reptiles.”

About Dh35 million was allotted for the zoo’s development last year. And along with the reconstruction of its appearance is the restructuring of its objectives. “Part of our program is to improve the welfare of the animals. It’s no good bringing in an animal that likes things we cannot provide here. I believe that a zoo can be a resource not only for recreation but also for wildlife education and conservation as well,” Craig explained.

Aside from increased awareness on the needs of animals, the zoo intends to educate the public by letting them see the animals in their natural habitats while informing them of their individual needs and sensitivities. “Zoos provide better entertainment. For Dh10 only, you can have a whole day of fun. You have the real thing. You can watch the animals. You can smell the animals. You can also learn something and get exercise,” the Director said.

Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Some of the animals that thrive in the zoo are the leopards, giraffe, crocodiles, gibbons, lions, Arabian wolves, African gazelles, gorillas, cheetahs, ostriches, Barbary sheep, ibexes, servals, flamingos, baboons, Mohr gazelles, patas monkeys, gemsboks, green monkeys, cats and tortoises. It is open from 8 o’ clock in the morning to 6 o’ clock in the evening. Entrance free for the adults are Dh10 while children (from 6-15 years) need only to pay Dh5. Children under 6 years, on the other hand are free, and the zoo purchased wheelchairs for them upon request.

06 September 2007

A Short Comparative Study: Smoking in the Philippines and in the UAE

Although the Philippines and the UAE differ in land mass, natural resources, ethnicity and religion, they still have something in common: they prohibit smoking.

Dr. Allan Handysides, Director of the Health Ministries of the Adventist Church, said it right. “As anti-tobacco restrictions tighten in the West, tobacco companies are stepping up their advertising in non-Western markets, and attempting to dump their product where there is least resistance. It is no surprise then that smoking rates are on the rise in Asia."

The UAE and the Philippines might have also observed this, but it was the latter that had acted first. Before the turn of the century, the Philippines established the Clean Air Act 1999 that identified cigarette smoke as a pollutant and instituted smoke-free indoor air laws. It still allows the public to smoke, but only at designated areas in restaurants and other indoor outlets. Four years after, a Youth Smoking Cessation Program was signed, encouraging smoke-free campuses, enhancing awareness and levying penalties for violators.

During the same year, the Tobacco Regulatory Act intending to increase public education measures, ban all tobacco advertisement, strengthen warning labels on tobacco products, and prohibit sales to minors was passed. Former Senator Juan Flavier also proposed the Smoke-free Workplace Law, which imposed an absolute smoking ban in public places and totally forbid tobacco advertisements by July 2008.

Religious organizations and local institutions also did what they can to help alleviate second hand smoking, for it could result to asthma, bronchial infections, respiratory ailments, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS, cancer, heart attack, stroke, hypertension and diabetes. Cebu-based Seventh-day Adventists had built the first permanent "Breathe-Free" stop-smoking clinic. They had also established health departments in Central Luzon, South Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Northern Luzon, Mountain Province, Cagayan Valley Sanitarium and Hospital and in the International Institute of Health at the Adventist University of the Philippines.

Its neighboring region, Davao City, has also outlined an Anti-Smoking Ordinance that fines both residents and visitors of their place from P300 to P1,000 pesos or imprisonment from one to four months. Owners of establishments who failed to report smoking in their place will also be penalized.

Aside from these, the IPA and the Rural Green Bank of Caraga has introduced a commitment savings program that grants financial incentives to its clients who would be able to stop smoking. Dubbed as CARES or Committed Action to Reduce and End Smoking, the program enables a smoker to open a CARES savings account and commit to quit smoking in six months. But access to his or her account again would depend if he or she could keep his or her commitment and pass a nicotine test after the required period.

While the Department of Health planned for a No Smoking Philippines last May 31, the UAE, which became a signatory of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control this year only, has vetoed smoking in government buildings and public places such as libraries. Later this month, shopping centres, cafes and restaurants that assigned smoking areas in their space will be mandated ventilation requirements (September 15). Cigarette manufacturers will also be ordered to include health warnings on their product’s packet in large Arabic and English prints, and comply with technical standards on content, putting only 0.6 milligrams of nicotine, 10 milligrams of tar and 12 milligrams of carbon monoxide (September 29).

The UAE will also place a blanket ban on smoking in educational establishments, hair salons, health clubs, internet cafes, food courts and offices (November 15). Smoking would then be entirely outlawed in government buildings, shopping malls, beauty salons, hotels and restaurants. Dubai and Ras Al Kaimah has also established two cessation clinics in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Novartis Consumer Health Company. Nicotine replacement therapies, free consultation as well as smoking cessation medicines sold for half the price (for patients with health cards) would be offered there.

As soon as the laws were enacted, violators will either be jailed or penalized. Anyone caught selling tobacco products to minors in the Philippines will be imprisoned for up to three years and pay up to P400,000. Starting next year, the UAE will also be charging its citizens Dh500 for smoking in public buildings, while the companies operating in the country that will not abide by the regulation will also given a prison sentence or a fine of at least Dh30,000.

Why an oil-rich state and a developing country are both keen in eradicating smoking is because they also want to improve the quality of the air their people breathe, for it will not only provide safety and good health, but would also perk up the economy because the environment and its human resources will be protected.

Currently, the UAE ranks among the countries with the highest cigarette consumption. In fact, about 31% of its student teenagers use one or more tobacco products (10% of them are regular smokers). The National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology and 10 other medical organizations in the Philippines revealed that 35 out of 100 Filipinos still smoke. The number of adult male smokers also increased from 53.8% in 1998 to 56.3% this year, while adult female smokers decreased from 12.6% in 1998 to 12.1% this year.

But although the rules ratified by the two countries were already restrictive and restraining, finding if they will be effective and enough is yet to be seen. As long as the Philippines and the UAE allows entry of tobacco companies and benefit from it taxes, their plans would not be attainable.

24 August 2007

Philippine Media Attacked!

The day I learned about Malu Fernandez’ article From Boracay to Greece was the day I heard about former basketball player Paul ‘Bong’ Alvarez beat ABS-CBN television reporter Gretchen Malalad. Oh, such attacks by and to some of the members of the Philippine media!

Good thing that Malalad holds a black belt in karate and had even won gold medals in Southeast Asian Games. Good thing too that some Filipinos would take time to stand for their kababayans who were carelessly written about in a lifestyle article.

Fernandez’s acerbic wit does not come to me. I would rather read Sir Rome Jorge’s writings. Hers was an insensitive ridicule of the OFWs who deserves none of that. So what if they use a perfume brand cheaper than hers? So what if they excitedly greet a fellow domestic helper who had about the same experiences as them in a land far away from their families, far away from their own? So what if they sell mobile phones and cigarettes in an airport lobby? So what if they sleep side by side at night? Is that what she has to say?

If there is one thing I would admire about OFWs is that they are doing something. They are keen on improving their lives that they may have little chance of doing if they did not go for a fresh start. Fernandez’ article could have been worth reading if she can say that the OFWs are contented on staying mediocre, thus needing her bitching.

“A column is not a public diary. Starting with personal anecdotes most vividly illustrates one’s point. But you have to relate it to your audience. And you have to have a point… Candor is no excuse; we all have to take responsibility for what we say, even if it is written in the first person and is stated as an opinion,” wrote Sir Rome in his blog.

In the case of Malalad, her colleagues may say that she is just getting the facts straight. I would not excuse Alvarez’ misdemeanor and I would not fault Malalad for insisting her right. But if I were in her shoes then, I would not have fought back.


References:

Alave, K. "TV reporter, cabbie file assault raps vs. ex-cager." www.inquirer.net. 21 Aug 2007.
Jorge, R. "The postmodern column." http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-OvqIBFQ5eqjRLpknBTwnExL_Zt4-?cq=1&p=640. 13 Dec 2004.


19 August 2007

Ambassador Satch... and all that jazz

June 30 - July 13, 2007
Issue 26
www.alaintimesuae.com


They came here – for the first time in the Middle East – not only to change the image America has through one man’s life and music. But more so, to become Ambassadors of Goodwill like Louis Armstrong had been. “Louis Armstrong, as an individual, influenced the world in the name of America more than any individual in the history of entertainment,” said Andre De Shields, main actor and co-author of the two-hour musicale, Ambassador Satch, which was performed at Sheikh Khalifa Auditorium at the UAE University Medical School, June 27.

“There are many other people who contributed to the gift of music from America to the world, but none of them lived as long as Louis Armstrong, none of them has a reputation that lasted like Louis Armstrong’s, no one has influenced generations of younger musicians as Louis Armstrong did, and no other name is indelibly associated with the creation of jazz than Louis Armstrong,” he added.

The play also starred Harriet Foy who portrayed all four of Armstrong’s wives, Terry Waldo who is the Musical Director, Mercedes Ellington who is the Director, and Stanton Davis who plays the trumpet like Armstrong would have. James P. Mirrione co-wrote the play.

“Louis Armstrong’s music makes people happy, and that’s what the world needs. It’s a bomb. It’s an elixir. It’s a magical potion [that] when you hear a Louis Armstrong, you smile,” he added. “And Louis Armstrong’s greatest effect was achieved like this, in the presence of another live human being. He’s no longer with us - his flesh and body is no longer with us. But his spirit is. His music is. And the joy that it generates is. All you need is a channel for it to be brought to the people who want to live in the period where he lived. We serve as that channel.”

“The show is called Ambassador Satch because Louis Armstrong was an Ambassador of Goodwill. Wherever he went, he left goodwill. [And] that is so important for the world when there is so much intolerance, when there is so much hate, when there is so much war, when there is so much bad activity, when there is so much bad feeling, and when there is so much hostility. We are waging peace and goodwill through his acts.”

But what they are doing is not easy and what they are trying to achieve is hard to attain. “Portraying him and presenting his whole life in a play is difficult because the man’s life is so expansive and so extravagant, and he continues to influence generations of other musicians. So it is very important that when telling his story, which is so wide, that you narrow the focus to a theme that includes most people.”

“Most people know about his music such as What A Wonderful World. But his discography is 71 years long. He was born at the turn of the century, and for his entire life, he was the greatest symbol of American jazz. Our purpose is to select the highlights of his life that most people can relate to so that the story that we tell resonates in everybody’s heart. But you cannot please everybody.”

There is also a struggle when the actors took part in Ambassador Satch. “Certainly the actors should have great affinity for the character. Although it is not our goal to mimic Louis Armstrong, one has to appreciate the symbol he was for America along with having a love of music since he was the innovator of jazz, which is America’s version of classical music.”

“Also, Louis Armstrong was not formally trained as a musician and he was not formally educated. His genius is spontaneous, a gift, while most of us in this industry have trained in order to acquire our craft. So one has to be able to know him from the inside, intuitively. One has to be a channel for his spirit, and not worry too much of the actor’s personality to the play. Otherwise, you will be just editorializing what you should be doing in representing his generosity of spirit.”

Sometimes, they also need to change the flow of Armstrong’s story. “Every audience displays a different personality. The response of a mature audience will be different from the response of high school students. Sometimes, the audience is Armstrong’s contemporaries so they have higher expectations. In this case, we will have an Arab audience so there are certain issues that we are not going to deal with so that we do not offend the people here who are more conservative and more cautious.”

But of all the challenges the artists face in carrying out the play is to make their audience believe that what they are saying is true and that what they are acting actually took place. “The audience will know if you are telling the truth or not. Their hearts will tell them that… So I researched. And then I test if the audience will respond to us lovingly, and they do, because that is what we are giving away to them. If we were giving away hypocrisy or falsehoods, then they would respond to us negatively. That is how I know we are giving joy and we are in the right track of how we present his life.”

“We will not be leaving a false impression of Louis Armstrong. We will only peak the interest, the curiosity. If we can just open up the flower of curiosity, and then people can find out about him on their own and take in the information, so that the next time they have an opportunity to be exposed to him as a piece of entertainment, then they can take it in larger doses. You see, we’re following the Mary Poppin’s Approach, which is a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. And there is a lot of medicine here. We would just add a little sugar coating to it.”

But even though their task is demanding, De Shields still enjoys it. “I like singing What A Wonderful World because that is the culmination of his life. Now, certainly, the four wives are important, because in each of the four wives, he became a different man. He matures, he grows, and he expands. He reveals a new skill. But the anthem, the statement, the message that he was sending is in that one song. And that brings me more satisfaction everytime that we do it.”

“I don’t need to be like Louis Armstrong. I don’t need to be the man. I don’t need to have his talent, but I would like to learn his gift of bringing light to where there was once darkness. I want to be able to come into a situation where there is hate and leave love, where there is injury and leave healing, where there is despair and leave hope, where there is darkness and leave light, where there is doubt and leave faith. That’s genius. That’s being great. That’s being useful and having a purpose.”

“Louis Armstrong wants to teach us that we have to surrender to our destiny and not resist the lessons that result from our mistakes. You see, mistakes are not to be regretted. Problems are not to be regretted. Hard times, difficulties are not to be regretted. They have to be experienced and lived through because no problem comes without a gift. If we can learn that, then we would learn the greatest lesson in life.”

His dream of turning Ambassador Satch into a commercial product in Broadway and a piece under the Cannon of Musical Literature keeps De Shields going. “I have great expectations. This is a huge event, and I had only the most wonderful of expectations because at the very least, we are going to come away from this with our horizon broadened, with a mind open because we are here for the first time. You know, it’s a different thing to immerse yourself in a culture and discover for yourself, ‘Oh, this is the way it is and not the way we are used to having it represented.’”

Ambassador Satch consists of individual artists and independent contractors that were together since 1992. They had already performed in Criterion Theatre in London; Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia; Helen Hayes Playhouse in Nyack; City College of Manhattan and Lance Theatre in Manhattan; National Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, North Carolina; Dennis Playhouse in Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and in three theatres in New York namely the Queens Theatre in the Park, White Plains Performing Arts Centre and Emlan Theatre in Rye, New York.

Gliding in the ice

In some countries, summer could mean swimming. But in the UAE, summer could mean ice skating.

For this, the Al Ain Mall has launched an ice-skating course that is accredited by the Ice Skating Institute of Asia (ISIA). Entitled “Frost Yourself,” the program includes 5-level skating courses for beginners, and a multi-level freestyle skating program for those skaters who are already in their advanced levels.

“Only the Al Ain Mall offers this kind of course. And the advantage here is that the parents can come, leave their children [in the rink] who want to learn how to skate, and go up and do their shopping. It is very convenient – Al Ain Mall is in the center of Al Ain, and we offer competitive prices. They would all be having a quality time,” said Maha Abusamra, Public Relations Officer of the Al Ain Mall.

The other thing that could encourage the children and the old alike to enroll for this class is that ice skating is now an international sport. “Skating became more enjoyable. Aside from that it is a good exercise from head to toe, it is now an international sport,” said Joseph Lee, Ice Skating Trainer of the Ice Skating Rink at the Al Ain Mall.

Lee who is also a karate and swimming coach is the trainer of Michael Novales, the seventh placer in the 2003 United States Figure Skating Championships, when the trainee was still in the Philippines. Novales was the first skater of that country who participated in the 2006 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.

“Ice skating was just a hobby to me. When my father and grandfather died, I pursued this hobby. My first job was in Japan as a roller skate dancer and then I became an ice hockey player to one of their teams. In 1989, I came back to the Philippines. That same year, they put up an ice skating rink but nobody knows how to ice skate during that time. So I became the first Filipino who has stepped in the ice in the Philippines.”

Lee has also worked in Hong Kong, Sharjah and in Dubai after he achieved a certification in Seattle, United States. “Not all coaches can be good at skating. What is good about my experience is that I know how to skate and I know how to teach.”

“First, when you teach the young children, you should have a lot of patience. Some kids, especially those who were only forced by their parents to learn ice-skating, would not heed you. The old is also hard to teach because they do not listen and are afraid to fall. Some locals would not listen to me because they know that most Filipinos are only nannies. Some Europeans, on the other hand, are determined, and they listened to me very well. Asians are good listeners too.”

“Learning how to skate and how long it would take would depend on a trainee. If he or she is willing to learn, he or she will learn as soon as possible. But if the trainee were scared, it would take time.”

“Beginners are afraid to fall, so I teach them how to fall, which is either falling on the left butt or on the right butt. Also, they should not waggle their hands on their back because that could throw them off balance. Instead, they should just touch their knees so that when they fall, it will be on either one of their butts. But if they wave their hands, they will fall on their head or back… That is actually the secret in learning how to skate: learn how to fall down.”

“But to be a good skater, a person must have discipline. They should listen to their coach and refrain from thinking negatively; what the coach says, that is what is right and that is what they should do. If they do not follow it, then that is not the fault of the coach.”

“Skating could sharpen a person’s physical and mental ability. It can also make a person look forward to something. It can make a coach proud. Through the years, I have learned that money is not important, but for my trainee to learn well.”

J for Jojoba, J for Oil

Jojoba is often used for lotions and creams. Other times, it is applied as a lubricant. But for oil? Dr. Selim just ascertained it now.

"We have been studying the feasibility of the jojoba plant to produce a renewable fuel for almost 10 years now. Earlier than that, it was studied only for its agricultural potentials. But we found out that it can be used in diesel engines," he said. "Actually, we first published the results in 2003 in a scientific magazine after we had succeeded in 1997. We produced a version that would improve the process of producing fuel, and limit its viscosity, ignition temperature, density, and other physical and chemical properties within a certain range."

"With the natural gas as the main fuel, we tried using jojoba fuel in diesel engines during our experiment at the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in the UAE University. And it had worked smoothly. It has even improved the performance of the engine. In this trial, I had ruled out the usage of diesel fuel because it only pollutes the air. Aside from the natural gas, the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can also be an alternative."

"Jojoba has better properties than diesel fuel. Even when the engines are cold – a condition that could enfeeble an engine's function – it would still work with jojoba fuel. This fuel also produces less noise and less emissions of dangerous exhaustive gas. Also, from our experimental measurements, we found out that jojoba fuel is easier and faster to ignite than diesel, while its physical and chemical properties are comparable to the latter."

"The only drawback jojoba fuel has is that it could cost more than diesel. It really would require a large investment. But a good thing about this oil, about this plant is that it can be grown in a desert land. It doesn't require a special land or a special care. It can resist salinity and can thrive without much water. The plant, which has a life span of for 100 to 200 years, can also grow underground. Each jojoba seed or nut can contain about 50% of pure oil in terms of volume."

Last July 8-12, at the Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Vancouver, Canada organized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers, Dr. Selim will be presenting the other results that came from this research. "I looked at the exhaust emissions of the engines that used jojoba and natural gas, and jojoba and LPG. Then I looked at the performance of the engine, and I found out that jojoba would work more smoothly with natural gas and LPG than with diesel paired with the said components."

"My objective is to produce a renewable source of energy, reduce air pollution and put more demand to agriculture. I hope businessmen would recognize it soon because other than the fact that it needs a large investment, it is also good for engines and promising for the environment and economy."

Pillow lavas deepen undertanding of UAE history

July 28 - August 10, 2007
Issue 28
www.alaintimesuae.com

Pillow lavas are the most common rocks on earth – you just do not see them because they form underwater, appearing only on the surface of the sediments. But when Dr. Benjamin R. Jordan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Geology of the College of Science explored the east side of Al Ain, he found out something that could re-shape the country's history.

"The rocks east of Al Ain are a unique geologic feature. There are only three areas in the world where the type of pillow lava found here has been identified. What is unusual about the ones here is that they formed within the sediments themselves, rather than on the surface of the sediments. Geologically, it is interesting and it is unique, for it was not known before, or had not been studied in detail," he explained.

"Some of the pillows formed within the sediments and some formed below and they overlap. Usually molten rock on the surface of the Earth is called lava and when it is below the surface it is called magma. Here we have an underground feature formed by magma that looks like a surface feature formed by lava."

But if this occurs, does that mean that there are still eruptions underground? "Not here. Maybe in [other] areas of the ocean today, but these probably formed in a usual situation or environment. It appears that the eruption was a small one, with just enough magma to make a few pillow lavas and then stop. If it had been a big eruption, the sediments would have been completely overwhelmed by the magma and lava and we would not have any evidence of the pillow structures that formed underground. They would have been obliterated. The eruption had to be small and the sediments would have had to have been very, very wet so that the magma cooled quickly and behaved like lava does that erupts into open water."

"There is evidence that there were seamounts or underwater volcanoes in this area. It is likely that this eruption was from a larger underwater volcano. Part of the evidence for that is that, in some cases, there are blocks of intact limestone that are also within the same layers of sediments as the pillow lavas. Limestone is formed in shallow water. Coral reefs are an example of one way they form."

"Some researchers theorize that there were seamounts that built up a structure that reached close to the surface where limestone could form and coral could grow. From time to time, blocks of limestone or reef would break off in an underwater landslide and sink into deep water where they would be buried by the same sediments that the pillow lavas formed in. These blocks indicate that there were seamounts in the area near where the pillow lavas formed and are probably associated with them."

"From all of this we can see that there was a lot going on in the geologic past in this area. The main benefit of this research is that we can add to the history of what was happening in this area in the past. We can answer questions such as why are the mountains here, why is there limestone here, and how did the pillow lavas form. By doing this we can know what was happening millions of years ago to make the land of the UAE what it is today."

Employment problems in Al Ain

May 5 - May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com

When James Barratt of the film Marked for Life arrived in Al Ain to work as an English teacher, his employer told him about a joke of a teacher applicant who had asked for 50,000 pounds a year and benefits for his starting salary. The human resources manager told him that he will even be given a 5-week paid vacation, 14 paid holidays, medical benefits, retirement plan and a leased car every two years. The applicant, astounded, asked the interviewer if he is joking, and the human resources manager answered yes.

Things like that happened in real life, even in the Garden City of Al Ain. The employer promises, the employee hopes. “Based on our contract, the company would increase our salary after six months. But until now, even though the government has already called for it, they are not giving to us what we deserve. They would not even give us our whole basic salary. They would pay our overtime after a year, and that is after we ask and complain. We would like them to follow what the government intended for us, follow how the labour system here works, but they have their way most of the time,” cried a warehouse personnel who asked not to be named.

A worker from a car company also experiences the same dilemma. “We are asked to work overtime, but we are not getting paid for all of it. For instance, if we have worked for almost 70 hours in a month, they would just pay us 30 hours. Everything that is indicated on our contract, that we signed, was not followed. But we can’t refuse to stop working because that is what our employers want. We know that if we would not follow them, they could terminate us, and we do not want that. We want to complain but we are afraid of them. My other co-workers are afraid too, although some of them do not seem to mind that we are underpaid.”

There are also some employers who would take advantage of their applicants who are only on a visit visa. “I was about to ‘exit’ when my employer asked me to extend my stay and wait until they arranged my visa and contract. Now, they are deducting from my salary what they paid for the days that I overstayed. I don’t think that is right, but how can I complain?” said a worker from a furniture company.

Not all employers are unfair and abusive though. There are others who treat their workers as if they are the company’s stockholders. Unfortunately, office politics haunt them. “My boss was nice to me. But when my fellow accountants left the company, all of their tasks were given to me. Our head officer was doing nothing. He is not even a good one. I wanted to complain, but everytime I wanted to speak to my employer who is often out of the country, the administration department would stop me from doing so, telling me that they do not know how to contact him,” disclosed an accountant for a shoe manufacturing company.

A writer from Al Ain who used to work in Sharjah packed his bags and left after his employer paid him irregularly for four times ever since he got in the company back in August last year. “At first, I tried to understand because I worked for a publication too in my home country and I know, money is not always good there. But seven months passed and it is still the same. They even managed to make it worse by demanding more work from me, and telling me that I am not working enough even if I really am. You see, a worker needs money, because after all, what have I gone here for? But they seem to use that in their advantage. So I resigned last week from them before they succeeded in lowering my self-esteem and abusing my intentions of trying to help the publication.”

Working on a solution

The UAE has a Labour Law, which is a federal law applicable in all the emirates of the country and to all staff and employees, may they be nationals or expatriates, except for those that are employed by the federal government, armed forces, police and security units, agricultural workers and domestic workers.

The Labour Ministry, on its part, is preparing to set a mandatory minimum wage in the country.

Minister of Labour Dr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi has started on identifying programmes, initially applying to the members of the construction sector then to the entire workforce, which he would recommend to the Council of Ministers. There would also be campaigns that would seek improvement to the conditions of expatriate workforce.

Aside from these, the Ministry has also held consultations and signed Memoranda of Understanding with the labour departments from the countries the expatriates working here are from in order to facilitate a greater regulation of labour recruitment and supply from these countries. Any breach of local regulations will be on the responsibility of the recruitment and labour supply companies.

The UAE-based recruitment agencies, on the other hand, will have more exacting regulations, while an introduction of government-run recruitment agencies that would regularise and rationalise the procedures for recruitment, and eliminate irregularities within the process is being analysed.