As part of its initiatives to support the efforts of the UAE’s health institutions, as well as to provide the financial and moral support to arthritis patients, the Friends of Arthritis Patients Society (FOAP) of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) yesterday donated 21 wheelchairs to Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah.

The initiative is one of a series of initiatives made by FOAP to support Al Qassimi Hospital. This includes the donation of Bone Densitometry (DEXA, DXA) worth AED 550,000, the contribution of AED 900,000 to developing the physiotherapy unit, the donation of AED 50,000 to provide 50 wheelchairs, and the provision of free treatment for prissy patients.

Her Excellency Waheeda Abdul Aziz, Head of FOAP, said: “FOAP is keen to provide the support for the health institutions in general and those concerned with arthritis patients in particular. This stems from our social responsibility and our vision to empower patients physically and mentally and to support those who cannot afford treatment costs.”

She pointed out that FOAP seeks to expand its partnership network to include various public and private parties to provide arthritis patients with the best health services as per global standards, adding that the Association will continue to raise the community awareness about how to prevent this disease, in line with the Sharjah’s keenness to reinforce the healthcare services.

“Thanks to the unlimited support and the 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, FOAP has become one of the leading entities in maintaining the health of arthritis patients, through supporting arthritis units with the necessary diagnostic devices, developing scientific studies to improve the quality of life of patients, and paying further attention to the educational and awareness aspects in order to spread a healthy culture among members of society and encourage them to follow healthy lifestyles,” Abdul Aziz concluded.

For his part, Sheikh Dr. Saqr Al Mualla, Deputy Executive Director of Al Qasimi Hospital lauded FOAP’s efforts and its keenness to provide the moral and financial support to arthritis patients by strengthening the hospital’s efforts in providing the latest medical equipment and delivering the optimal treatment.

Praising the trailblazing efforts made by FOAP and its utmost endeavors to launch several awareness-raising campaigns about arthritis, he underlined that such initiatives reflect the cooperation and synergy between all parties to enhance patient’s health and to bolster the development of Sharjah’s health sector.