Companies Urged to Provide Healthy,C?Environment to Cut Heart Diseases.

Summary: DUBAI u The Ministry of Health (MoH) has urged employers to create a working environment that encourages healthy habits that contribute to the reduction of heart diseases and stroke among the staff.

As per the latest figures from the ministry, heart diseases account for 22 per cent of fatalities, the highest number of deaths in the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday, CEO for Health Policies and Legislation at the ministry Dr Mahmoud Fikri said the ministry will launch an award for employers supporting healthy lifestyle among workers.

"The award will cover the government and private sectors. We will release the details of the criteria for nomination at a later stage," he told C Khaleej Times.

The World Heart Foundation is spreading the message that "A workplace that encourages healthy habits can reduce heart disease and stroke," on the occasion of this year's World Heart Day that falls on September 27.

MoH has also chalked out various awareness programmes like lectures, and workshops, and screening programmes to check of the levels of pressure, sugar and cholesterol in blood as part of the World Heart Day celebrations under the theme "Work with C Your Heart."

The award is meant to encourage competition between employers to provide a work environment that will enhance healthy habits among employees while at work and beyond.

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