Sharjah: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah, has successfully completed three critical phases of the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign.
According to Emirates News Agency, this campaign, themed 'Your Safety is Our Priority,' ran from July to August, aligning with the midday work ban to enhance health awareness among outdoor workers and field personnel on the risks of heat stress during the summer months.
The campaign has reached over 4,000 individuals across various sites, starting from Sharjah City and extending to Al Hamriyah and Al Dhaid in the central region. Activities included educational lectures about the risks, symptoms, and treatments of heat stress, and best practices for prevention and first aid. Additionally, free medical screenings and essential preventive supplies were distributed to workers.
Awareness activities were held throughout the week across all regions of Sharjah, featuring field visits to multiple sites. These visits aimed to educate construction workers on proper health practices during summer and provide guidelines to help them avoid heat stress risks. Employers in factories and construction sites were also engaged in these efforts, emphasizing the importance of protective measures to ensure worker safety during high temperatures, in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority.
The campaign also targeted workers at fuel stations, public parks, parking facilities, and delivery services, offering them vital information and preventive guidelines to mitigate the risk of heat exhaustion. Educational activities were organized for community members, including housewives and university students, in collaboration with the Emirates Friends of Seniors' Citizens Association and Al Qasimia University in Sharjah.
These initiatives aimed to highlight the significance of health protection during the summer, promote healthy living, and encourage participants to share preventive measures with domestic helpers. The campaign seeks to reach 10,000 workers as part of a broader national initiative, placing human well-being at the center of community development, in alignment with the 'Year of Community 2025' goals. It also aims to enhance public health and foster cross-sector partnerships to improve the quality of life across Sharjah.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, Director of MoHAP's Representative Office in Sharjah, emphasized that the campaign is a humanitarian initiative reflecting social responsibility values. It significantly contributes to promoting health awareness across society, particularly among outdoor laborers, supporting government efforts to safeguard labor rights and ensure a healthy work environment, in accordance with WHO standards and the objectives of the Year of Community.