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Week In Review | By
Debasree S, Contributing Editor | 21-27 January, 2007
Week 21-27 January,
2007
Camel Serum Used for Snake Position
Antidote
Inside Dubai's Central Veterinary Research Hospital, work is
currently underway, to develop the world's first antidote for snake
venom from camel serum. Scientists in Dubai have pioneered the
breakthrough research using the strength of the camel's immune system to
develop the anti-venom that is expected to save thousands of human lives
from snake poison.
The anti-venom will be introduced internationally from May 2007, after
its efficacy has been proved in hospitals in Nigeria where an average of
8 people are admitted in critical state after being bitten by a snake.
The venom being developed at the CVRL is said to be particularly
effective for spitting cobras and other deadly varieties like the puff
adder, the saw-scaled vipers etc.
Traditionally anti-venoms are made from horse serum but in many cases,
they have been known to cause allergies leading to sudden death among
human beings. Dr. Ulrich Wernery, Scientific Director at the CVRL, said
this week, that the camel serum will not cause any allergies and camel
blood anti-venom will prove to be far more effective than the previous
ones.
DHCC Plays Lead Role at Arab Health 2007
Dubai's upcoming Healthcare City, a multi-billion dollar project of
Dubai Holding is the key sponsor of the Arab Health Exhibition that
opened at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center on
Jan 29. Describing it as the Middle East's largest health exhibition,
Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, DHCC's Chief Executive said: "Arab
Health Exhibition offers organizations an opportunity to showcase their
products and services in Dubai, one of the fastest growing and most
lucrative healthcare markets in the world. In 2006, the Arab Health
Exhibition witnessed a high-profile gathering of medical healthcare and
wellness industry professionals from around the world.
Paying for Genetic Disorders
Managing genetic disorders can prove to be an expensive affair. A
report published by the Center for Arab Genomic Studies under the
auspices of the Sheikh Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences has underlined
the financial aspects of genetic disorders in the Middle East. According
to Dr. Ghazi Omar Tadmouri, Assistant Director of CAGS and the author of
the report, the cost of the treatment of genetic disorders would come to
an average of $13 billion per year in all Arab countries. The share of
UAE in this, would be about $130 million annually. "In the Arab
world, chromosomal, single gene or multi-factorial disorders are common.
Some of these have taken on epidemic proportions like sickle cell
disease, alpha thalassemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
Anti-inflammatory Drug Linked to Heart Attacks
The use of a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication taken for
painful conditions like arthritis or knee injury could be responsible
for sudden heart attack and instantaneous death among people with
complications like diabetes, cholesterol etc. The Executive Board of the
Health Minister's Council in Abu Dhabi is investigating the link between
a particular drug Diclofenac and heart attacks. According to medical
experts, people who take non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications
other than aspirin many have a higher risk of having a heart attack than
those who do not take the medications. However the link is still yet to
be proven clinically.
Cod Liver Oil Beneficial for Autistic Children
Vitamin B6 and Cod Liver Oil (Omega-3 fatty acids) can go a long way
in improving the condition of autistic children, medical experts
concluded at a conference on Autism held at the Dubai Knowledge Village
this week. Medical experts shared the results of research carried out on
children worldwide where the administration of Vitamin B6 and cod liver
oil could help in better eye contact, less self-stimulatory behavior,
more interest in the world around them, fewer tantrums, more
communication speech and less aggressive behavior. With the incidence of
autism increasing rapidly in Arab nations, the Dubai Autism Center has
taken an active interest in organizing continued awareness campaigns
that could lead to early diagnosis of the condition in the UAE. Any
child who is late to crawl, late to walk, slow to speak, with limited
food intake and lack of interest in toys or the world around them should
immediately be put to diagnosis. New special needs diagnostic centers in
the UAE have come up recently to ensure early detection and a possible
cure.
Posted 5/FEB/07
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