The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah along with government and private sector partners, is implementing the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign
Taking place from July to August under the theme “Your Safety is Our Priority,” the campaign coincides with the midday work ban, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm, from 15 June to 15 September to protect workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer months. The campaign aims to raise health awareness among outdoor workers and field personnel on the dangers of heat stress during the summer.
The campaign aims to reach 10,000 workers and has so far targeted more than 4,000 individuals across various sites in the emirate, with activities including lectures on heat stress, as well as free medical screenings and the distribution of preventive supplies to workers.
Field visits have also taken place, focusing on raising awareness among construction workers as well as employers about proper health practices during the summer and heat stress prevention.
The campaign also extends to workers at fuel stations, and public places as well as community members, including housewives and university students.
These activities aim to highlight the importance of health protection during the summer, promote a culture of healthy living that encourages positive behaviours, and encourage participants to share the knowledge and preventive measures with domestic helpers.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, director of MoHAP’s Representative Office in Sharjah, stressed that the campaign is a humanitarian initiative that embodies the values of social responsibility and contributes significantly to promoting health awareness across all segments of society, particularly among outdoor labourers.
He emphasised that the campaign supports government efforts to safeguard labour rights and ensure a healthy work environment, in accordance with WHO standards and the human-focused objectives of the Year of Community.
Partners supporting the campaign include the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah Sports Council, Labour Standards Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Prevention and Safety Authority, Sharjah Volunteering Centre, Sharjah Coop, Sharjah Charity International, the Friends of Kidney Patients Association, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Fast Building Contracting, Al Jaber Optical, Medcare Group, Aster DM Healthcare, Burjeel Specialty Hospital, NMC Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Life Pharmacy Group and Gaia Healthcare.
