RAK Hospital organises Arthritis awareness campaign

Focus on office workers. Guides them on keeping the joints active, organizes free physiotherapy sessions at government and private sectors.

• 1 in 5 in UAE suffer from some form of Arthritis. 
• Office workers at greater risk. Vitamin D deficiency, bad- posture, sedentary lifestyle, long hours of driving, use of non-ergonomic furniture and obesity among the key reasons.
• Bigger percentage of younger population now prone to back, neck and knee problems. More than 50% belong to the productive years - from 25 to 55
• Exercises, such as squatting and jogging which does more harm than good to a person with arthritis.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, March 10, 2016:  Despite suffering from arthritis, it is possible to lead an active, social and healthy lifestyle, assure the doctors at RAK Hospital, UAE’s premier healthcare provider. The hospital has launched an arthritis awareness campaign through which they are organizing a series of lectures and physiotherapy sessions in corporate and government sectors to create awareness and to dispel various myths regarding the disease.  Conducted by Dr. Himanshu Mathur, orthopaedic surgeon and knee-replacement specialist at RAK Hospital, the campaign aims to educate UAE residents on a holistic 360-degree approach towards the disease including various stages of arthritis, its dangers and preventions, as well as teaching them physiotherapy exercises. 

RAK Hospital has been at the forefront of knee-replacement surgeries with renowned orthopaedic specialist Dr Vikram Shah and his team at the helm. Dr Shah specializes in Knee and Hip replacement surgeries and regularly visits RAK Hospital as part of India’s Shalby Hospital’s collaboration with RAK Hospital; his next visit is scheduled from March 20th to 22nd.

According to data compiled by RAK Hospital, more than 50 percent of people complaining of back, neck and knee problems belong to what is known as, ‘productive years’ - from 25 to 55 - which is a big shift compared to decade ago when joint problems were usually associated with elderly or senior citizens. Moreover, an increasing number of UAE residents in their 30s and 40s are complaining of health problems related to or leading to arthritis. Doctors pin the blame on a sedentary lifestyle, bad eating habits and lack of sufficient physical activity among other reasons. 

“Office workers in particular are more prone to back, neck and knee pain and swelling, almost always an indication of arthritis,” says Dr. Mathur, “While a lot has to do with an unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and heredity, there are other factors involved as well, including bad posture, not using ergonomic furniture at work and long hours of driving. Another important reason we found was the deficiency of Vitamin D, since people here spend more time indoors, preferring to venture outdoors after the sun goes down. Unfortunately, people rarely focus on these causes and tend to take arthritis symptoms lightly which aggravates the health problem. It is no surprise then that one in every 5 people in the UAE suffers from some form of arthritis”

Dr. Mathur urges on a complete lifestyle change, opting for healthier approach in terms of food choices, physical exercises and outlook towards life. He focused on the need for a positive, stress-free life, besides adjusting to activities that put less pressure on joints. He also explained the different postures that can help relieve pain while sitting, standing and lying down and the need to keep the joints active to avoid stiffness. Dr. Mathur particularly drew attention to exercises, such as squatting and jogging which do more harm than good to a person with arthritis.

Raza Siddiqui, CEO Arabian Healthcare Group and Executive Director of RAK Hospital, said: “So far, we have had an encouraging response from the public, with more people understanding the true worth of a healthy, arthritis-free life. At RAK Hospital, we not only believe in relieving our patients from any kind of discomfort, but also try to add quality to their lives if they have to live with an ailment like arthritis or diabetes. With these awareness sessions we hope to create a happier and healthier UAE”.

The campaign has covered organizations such as Dulsco, Mabani Steel, Ministry of Labour, JBF Company, RAK Packaging, International Armored Group, Kimoha Entrepreneurs in Dubai among many others. 

The future awareness sessions are also planned in educational institutions, driving schools and government offices. RAK Hospital follows a compassionate CSR policy aimed at educating UAE residents on various diseases besides an active approach towards prevention of health issues. A regular contributor to a number of causes the hospital has set up many awareness and free screening camps in the past.