The Dubai Health Authority in collaboration with various stakeholders organized a seminar to discuss future plans and implement international best practice guidelines for school physical activity and to introduce a unified physical activity curriculum across all Dubai schools.
For this purpose, the Dubai Health Authority met with relevant stakeholders including Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education and School Sports, Ministry of Education and the Dubai Sports Council to discuss their experience in terms of school physical activity and the way forward to implement unified programs for the benefit of school children.
The aim of the seminar was to highlight the efforts of various stakeholders with regard to the work done so far in terms of encouraging school physical education and activity, to propose further strategies for enhancement of school physical education and activity in Dubai and to develop school physical education and activity guidelines, in line with the Dubai Health Authority’s health strategy for the Emirate of Dubai.
Laila Al Jassmi, CEO of Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA highlighted the importance of this seminar to strengthen the authority’s efforts in terms of promoting physical activity as part of DHA’s strategic objectives. She said that educating school children about the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyle will go a long way in reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and is a key component to protect the youth from developing these lifestyle diseases as they progress into adulthood.
Al Jasmi said that regular physical exercise plays an important role to ensure students’ receive a well-rounded education program and develop habits which will positively affect their life-long health and well-being.
Dr. Aizeldin Ibrahim, Acting director of Public Health and Safety, Health Policy and Strategy Sector at the DHA said that the social and economic changes that have taken place over the last few decades and the demographic and epidemiological shifts in the region, have resulted in the creation of significant changes in terms of health challenges and risks to public health and non-communicable diseases have emerged to be a leading threat.
Dr. Fathia Hatim Al Mazmi, Head of Health Promotion section, Public Health and Safety Department at the DHA said ensuring and protecting the youth from developing lifestyle diseases will ensure a healthier future for them and will also have economic benefits through maximum utilization of individual capacities.
