Sharjah - 29 August 2018:  The Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah organized a workshop entitled “First Aid in cases of heat exhaustion.” The event, which is one of the activities organized as part of the 5th edition of the “Health and Tourism 2018” campaign, is being held under the slogan 'Umbrella' and will take place during 1-30 August.

 The workshop, which was held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, focused on raising awareness on the concept of heat exhaustion, and educating the community on the best health practices that prevent it. The workshop also focused on ways to combat fires, and the appropriate steps that need to be followed in case of disasters.

The workshop, which was held on the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, was organized by the department, in cooperation with SANID, the National Emergency Response Volunteer Program of the UAE. The event was attended by a large number of female volunteers, housewives and representatives from the Health Promotion Department.

HE Iman Rashid Saif, Director of the Health Promotion Department, stated that organizing the workshop is part of the department’s continuous efforts to raise health awareness among the members of the community, especially among women, due to their pivotal role at the family level where they can transfer knowledge to their children, or in their overall professional and social lives.

Saif stressed that the “Health and Tourism 2018” campaign is playing an active role in raising awareness on healthy practices and is attracting the attention of a growing number of people in the community. She added that this success is adding to the department’s determination to continue its efforts in achieving the vision and directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, to promote health awareness in the emirate for both citizens and residents.

The workshop lecturer Saqer Mazen Mohammed, who is a trainer and volunteer at SANID program, recommended that heat exhaustion can be treated by implementing a number of procedures, which include sitting in a cool area, laying on one’s back while raising both legs, drinking cool liquids, and bathing in cold water or putting cool wet towels on skin, in addition to taking off any unnecessary clothing, and seeking medical attention immediately if the previous procedures did not relieve symptoms after an hour.

The workshop lecturer then explained how to diagnose heat exhaustion, and the ways to administer First Aid to anyone adversely affected by sun strokes. He also reviewed how to use fire extinguishers safely and correctly.

The annual “Health and Tourism” campaign is considered to be the world’s first online campaign that promotes both a healthy lifestyle and various tourist locations in Sharjah at the same time. The campaign, which has been successful in reaching 6 million followers on social media platforms during its last 4 editions, will organize a variety of activities including educational workshops, free examinations, recreational games and shows, and competitions.

Social Media users can follow up or take part in the campaign by using the hashtag #healthandtourism18, as well as #umbrella. The campaign’s events will be held at various tourism spots in Sharjah, which include Al Majaz WaterFront, Sharjah Cultural Palace, Sharjah National Park, and Elyash Park among others.