Under the theme ‘It’s Time to Exercise’, The Friends of Arthritis Patients Association, FAPS, which operates under the umbrella of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), on Saturday organized a health awareness and sports day at Al Nakheel Oasis in Sharjah, with the participation of Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, Emirates Red Crescent, Zayed Volunteer House team, the public and athletes under the supervision of professional trainers and rheumatologists.

Also attending were HE Waheeda Abdul Aziz, Head of the Friends of Arthritis Patients Association and a number of the FAPS volunteers.

Awareness brochures, gifts and healthy food for children were handed out, in addition to organizing various sports contests including taekwondo and judo shows and walking tours.

The event comes as part of the awareness campaign launched by FAPS to mark World Arthritis Day which is observed on October 12 every year.

Fostering Sports Activity

Lauding the remarkable participation of the public in the campaign activities which kicked off on October 16 in different areas of Sharjah, HE Waheeda Abdul Aziz stated that this year’s campaign is focusing on fostering sports activity through various types of physical activities, including “One Hour Walk” event, in association with the Emirates Association for Retired Citizens, at Al Maliha Club.

This activity aimed at raising awareness on osteoporosis by distributing health leaflets and providing free medical examinations for participants.

Abdul Aziz noted that the campaign also focused on children through a special program for osteoporosis examination and training on physical exercises held at Al Falah Nursery.

Additionally, various contests and physical activities were organized, besides distributing healthy meals and holding awareness workshops in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent.

The campaign activities will run until November 14 and will be focusing on osteoporosis checkups to detect to what extent this disease is prevailed and create relevant programs and initiatives.

Furthermore, outreach activities will be addressed to school students and mothers to raise their awareness about the hazards of osteoporosis and ways of prevention.

Unlimited Support

HE Waheeda Abdul Aziz lauded the unlimited support 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, SCFA, and her directives to organize campaigns and programs to raise community awareness about osteoporosis.

Abdul Aziz expressed the Association’s support and solidarity with patients with osteoporosis as part of the Emirate of Sharjah’s efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle as a daily routine to prevent arthritis and other chronic diseases.

Concluding her remarks, the Head of the Friends of Arthritis Patients Association expressed appreciation to Sharjah Police, Emirates Red Crescent, University of Sharjah, Sharjah Sport Council, Emirates Association for Retired Citizens, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club, Al Thiqah Club for Handicapped, Al Qasimia University, Maliha Club, Zayed Volunteer House team, and Fast Contracting Company, the strategic sponsor of the Association’s activities, for their cooperation and support to FAPS’s initiatives and their contribution to achieving the Association’s societal objectives.

Worth mentioning that Friends of Arthritis Patients Association will organize the 8th annual marathon in February 2020 under the theme “It’s Time to Exercise”.

Through this annual event, the Association is striving to shed more light on arthritis and the need to unite efforts to help patients face the challenges of this disease. This is in line with the Emirate of Sharjah’s keenness on enhancing healthcare services provided for citizens and residents.