Sharjah: Sharjah resident Maria Marissa has walked through fire and lived to tell the tale — literally! A fortnight ago, the 35-year-old Filipina walked out of Burjeel Specialty Hospital Sharjah, more than 50 days after suffering serious burn injuries all over her body. There were emotional scenes at Burjeel Hospital as Marissa got her discharge slip and readied to return home after a long, difficult road to recovery. The hospital staff marked the joyous occasion by handing her a bouquet and posing with her for pictures. Yehya Salah Kayed, the hospital’s director operations, plastic surgeon Dr Raed Farhat and the burn and rehab teams worked together for weeks to make the celebration possible. Marissa and her husband Raymund Lacbayu were severely burnt in an early-morning bla ... Read More..

Dubai: UAE doctors have cautioned patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to be mindful of their nutrition, hydration, sleep and physical fitness if they plan to observe the fast during Ramadan. International medical journals and organsiations such as the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have warned that even two to three months after recovery, long-haul patients of COVID-19 are likely to suffer from several symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness, poor muscle tone, threats of blood clots and brain fogging among other side-effects. Why is water intake so important for post-COVID patients? Juliot Vinolia, clinical dietician and consultant nutritionist at Medeor Hospital elaborated: “Unlike the regular fasting diets, Ramadan fasting involves the withdrawal of both food and water, ... Read More..

Food can greatly influence the way we think, behave and act. During this holy season, while we reflect on cleansing our mind and body, it is time we take notice of our eating pattern.  In recent decades, studies have shown that for the sake of convenience, we have adapted to more than 60 per cent of processed food on our plate. We may be unknowingly taking excess calories by consuming even small servings of ultra-processed foods. Intake of highly refined sugar and fat can lead to oxidative stress and inflammation, putting us at a risk of diabetes, fatty liver, strokes and poor recovery post infection. Prolonged consumption of ultra-processed foods can even trigger the onset of some auto-immune conditions. It damages the cells of our stomach and intestine leading to hyperacidity ... Read More..

This is the second time frontline nurse Nazeera Sayed is observing Ramadan amid the Covid-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, although she clocked in extra hospital hours while fasting, her spiritual zeal remained palpable as she quickly washed up, donned her apron, and lit the kitchen stove to whip up her family’s first Iftar meal this holy month.  “I am making mirchi bhajji (chilli fried in a batter) which I do every year and we really like it. It is a street food from (the Indian state of) Andhra Pradesh, where I hailed from. Apart from that, I am also preparing the Ramadan Special ‘Ganji’ which is a rich starch soup. It is rich in carbohydrates and is quite nutritious”, said the director of nursing at Medeor Hospital, Dubai.  Nazeera, who has been a nurse ... Read More..

Avoid shaking hands, hugging and public gatherings during Ramadan, medics have warned residents, as the UAE prepares to observe its second holy month in pandemic times. “Considering the pandemic situation, community members must avoid public gatherings, especially at majlis. Those going to mosques for prayers must strictly follow safety guidelines,” said Dr Mohammed Shafeeq, head of department, internal medicine, Medeor Hospital, Dubai. Dr Shafeeq noted that any large gatherings related to Ramadan activities may increase chances of getting infected and spreading it to others. “Avoid hugs and handshakes to remain safe and for the well-being of others.” Dr Shafeeq said people must not share iftar meals with others, especially neighbours and friends, which other ... Read More..