Middle East Healthcare Has Room for Lots of Improvement

A close look at the healthcare scenario in the Middle East would invariably indicate that the dice is heavily loaded against the region.

And, facts speak for themselves.

Nearly 60% of the adult population is obese, with cases of diabetes fast picking up momentum amongst the younger generation.

According to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF), in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait 38% of the population in the age group of 20-39 years is diabetic in some form or the other. Infact, given the dietary habits of residents in the region - liberal doses of fat and sugar, thanks to the growing volume of petro-dollars - coupled with the lack of exercise, IDF has recently labelled the scenario as "out of control".

"With temperature averaging 40 degrees Celsius [104 degrees Fahrenheit] over six months in a year, obesity, diabetes and lack of exercise are all in a way linked to the geo-physical parameters of the region," commented Raouf Ghali, president of project management group for New Jersey-based Hill International. "Economic well-being, coupled with a tolerant tax system encourages car ownership; indeed, over 90% of the residents drive cars. Without a developed public transport system, walking as in Europe and the US is not common practice. Thus, there is not much physical activity, on a daily basis, and if an individual does not actively pursue to 'move', one can find himself practically motionless and that is inducing health issues in the young population."

Added to it, is yet another factor and probably more lethal: the low price of tobacco products in the Middle East that has helped in high smoking levels.

"Cigarettes are still nearly 35-45% cheap compared with the US and Europe and lots of offices still allow smoking," he hastened to add.

Besides weather, dietary habits and tobacco, there are two other issues - rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCD) and deaths due to traffic incidents that further add to the woes.

According to a Persian Gulf-based industry executive: "In the past few years, there has been a major transition from infectious diseases to NCDs and this is mostly related to individual behaviors, such as what people eat and drink and how they spend their time."

(NCDs are non-infectious and include cancer, diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and obesity).

World Health Organization (WHO) has recently predicted that 47% of the disease burden of the Middle East is caused by NCDs and by 2020 it will rise to 60%.

It also stated that Saudi Arabia has the world's highest number of deaths from road accidents, which currently makes up for the country's principal cause of death in adult males aged 16 to 36. A study revealed that 6,485 people had died and more than 36,000 were injured in over 485,000 traffic accidents in 2008 and 2009.

It is not all gloom and doom, however.

Spending on healthcare across the region is set to increase. According to independent estimates some US$26 billion-30 billion is targeted for investment by end 2011. And, looking ahead WHO has projected that figure will rise to US$60 billion by 2025.

Leading the pack will be Saudi Arabia, which is making the biggest commitment with a healthcare spend of 3.7% of its gross domestic product (GDP). This compares to 2.5% in Kuwait, 1.9% in Qatar and 0.3% in the UAE. Comparative to the developed countries of Europe, Asia and North America, these figures are low. Health expenditure is 15.3% of GDP in the US, 10.4% in Germany and 7.9% in Japan.

While laws are being enacted to discourage smoking, some of the governments in the Gulf are also updating their existing public health legislations.

Cases in point are Bahrain and the UAE that have banned smoking in restaurants, hospitals, schools and universities, while in Jordan similar orders have been issued for all government offices and public institution.

Meanwhile, in late February Hill International announced it had received a contract expansion from SEHA Abu Dhabi Health Services Company to provide project management services during construction of multiple healthcare facilities located in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE.

The heathcare facilities include Al Wagan Hospital and the Al Mushreef, Khalifa B, Al Falah and Al Towaya Ambulatory Healthcare Centres. The five projects have an estimated total construction cost of US$73 million.

Some Facts on Medical Tourism

Owing to the fact that there are many health problems that people of different races want to get solved at a comparatively low risk as well as low cost, there has been an increasing migration of diseased individuals from their home countries to other parts of the world.

This practice has been popularly termed "medical tourism," otherwise known as health tourism or medical travel or global healthcare.

Health-Care Services Common to Medical Tourism

For one reason or the other, individuals travel across international borders to access health services that are available in their destination countries. Similarly, medical tourism could also be referred to as the practice whereby some physicians, doctors or health-care providers are itinerant travelers to different parts of the world to deliver health-care services to potential patients.

It is worthy of note that the health services that medical tourists commonly seek to have include dental surgery, joint (hip or knee) replacement surgeries, cosmetic surgeries, cardiac surgery, psychiatry, alternative treatments, in-vitro fertilization and freezing embryos for retro-production, and surrogate pregnancy.

Countries Associated with Medical Tourism

It is worth stating again that one of the major causes of medical tourism is the relative cost of undergoing a certain medical procedure. For instance, carrying out a liver transplant surgery costs about $250,000 in United States compared to that of Taiwan which costs about $90,000 USD. Another major reason is the lack of adequate health care facilities and services.

As a result, more of medical tourists come from places like Europe, the US, Canada, Japan and the Middle East. Health service providers from such countries stand the chances of losing billions of dollars revenue.

In the same vein, the countries where medical tourists usually consider for medical procedures include India, Jordan, Malaysia, South Africa, Thailand, South Korea, Tunisia, Argentina, Israel, Ukraine, and New Zealand.

Potential Risk of Medical Tourism

It is quite vital for medical tourists to be well aware of the risks involved in seeking health care in some other countries. This will help to determine what could be done so as to minimize or eliminate the risk factors of medical tourism.

1. Low level of expertise of some health-care service providers. There have been cases where some even practice outside of their field. This is highly risky.
2. Low health-care standards. Some countries other than First World have low standards in the health sector.
3. Lack of proper Health Insurance Scheme in some Medical Procedures.
4. The possible risk of post-operation complications after tourists' return to home countries.
5. Lack of physical contact with the physician after medical care for essential medical check-up.

Factors Responsible for Medical tourism

1. High cost of health-care service. In fact, one of the major reason why medical tourist travel from First World countries to other places is as result of the high cost of health-care services.

2. Convenience and speed. In countries like US and UK unlike in some other countries, many health care services require long waiting times before the medical procedures are embarked on.

3. There is advanced medical technology in many countries today. Many countries are taking advantage of medical tourism by providing high standards of health care services.

4. Lack of local health-care services on certain medical problems. For instance, a medical tourist may seek help for in-vitro reproduction in a foreign country if it is not available in his own country.

From the foregoing, the views held by individuals about medical tourism are not the same at all. Some people from First World countries see it as a risky medical alternative. However, since many countries are now taking to advanced medical technology, some still consider that it is worth doing.

Susan is a full-time freelance writer. She is an avid traveler and reader. She enjoys writing on business, health & fitness, travel, parenting, relationships and personal development.

The Popularity of Jivamukti Yoga

One of the more popular forms of yoga among celebrities is Jivamukti Yoga. Though it only began in 1984, its considerable appeal is based on the fact that it has many traditional hatha yoga elements that are combined with cultivating a social conscience. Founded by a dancer and a café owner with the blessings of several prominent Indian yoga masters, this relatively new school now has centers in several cities in the United States and Europe.

Roughly translated, Jivamukti means 'liberation while living,' and the cultivation of this state is embodied in the five practice elements of Dhyana, Nsda, Ahimsa, Bhakti and Shastra.

Dhyana in Jivamukti yoga is essentially the practice of meditation or watching one's own mind. The meditator learns to go beyond self-referential thinking and find a deeper, more spacious place within.

The Nada practice incorporates chanting and focused listening to sound vibrations. In Yogic philosophy, sound vibrations are the building blocks of the world. In Jivamukti yoga, practioners learn to listen carefully and to experience a deeper unity with the universe.

Ahisma, or non-harming practice, cultivates a respect for all living creatures in the belief that all sentient beings are inter-connected. In accordance, Jivamukti encourages vegetarianism and supports social activism to promote animal rights and a clean environment.

Bhakti practice involves worship of the 'divine.' This is a core tenet of Jivamukti yoga practice, because the path ultimately leads to a unity or a realization of the supreme. This is not necessarily the worship of a god in the traditional understanding, but a yearning to connect with a power greater than oneself. Consequently, Jivamukti yoga encourages appreciation of all faiths and promotes religious understanding and dialogue.

Lastly, Shastra, or scripture study is a key element of Jivamukti. The four primary texts are the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Additionally, Jivamukti yoga teachers encourage learning Sanskrit so that the texts can be read in their original language.

The foundation blocks of Jivamukti are supported and enhanced by asana (poses) practice in the traditional vinyasa method, i.e., they are movements that are synchronized with intention and the breath. Jivamukti Yoga Centers have classes to suit one's level of interest and lifestyle. For instance, you have the option of open classes or private instruction.

Jivamukti is a tradition-based yoga school with a 21st century flair. To find a center near you or to learn more about the school, you can visit jivamuktiyoga.com.

R. MacGuffie is a freelance writer and webmaster at yoga-knowledge-center.info/ and learning-tai-chi.info

Is Garlic The Answer For All Weight Gain Problems?

Garlic is the bulb of the Allium Sativum plant, which is closely related to onions, chives, leeks, and eschallots. It has been used as a medicinal product and a food additive by humankind for many thousands of years. Native to central Asia, it was used by all the major ancient civilizations in Asia, Africa, and Europe during the past 6000 years.

It was soon recognized by these civilizations to be a product with immense medicinal and preventative properties for its ability to counteract many every day health problems. In these times, garlic was considered to be of such importance that it was believed to be able to cure everything from the common cold to the plague. Garlic was seen as a natural antibiotic and antibacterial product.

Medical research in recent centuries has disproved some of these claims; however, newer benefits of garlic have been discovered.

This simple but powerful product acts as a health benefit for a range of illnesses and minor ailments because of the range of compounds it contains. Foremost among these is a compound called ALLICIN, which is responsible for giving garlic its pungent and offensive odor.

Garlic also contains small amounts of the important vitamins A, B, C and E, and the minerals potassium, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, sodium, and iron. The medicinal benefits of garlic have long been known as a preventative product for arresting the spread of several types of cancer by killing cancerous cells.

However in the past 50 years it has come to be recognized as a product that can help to control high blood pressure; heart conditions in general; high cholesterol levels; improve the circulatory blood system; cures problems of the respiratory tract; boost the immune system; reduce the effects of fatigue; benefits diabetes sufferers; and many others. Garlic is indeed a perfect product for keeping most parts of the human body is working order.

Recently, research has found that garlic - through its major compound ALLICIN - may prevent weight gain, and may even be able to initiate weight loss. Early research suggests that Allicin may be a very strong appetite suppressant. For ALLICIN to be effective garlic has to be eaten in its raw state. Cooking garlic eliminates ALLICIN.

Research with rats indicated that in an experiment, rats given Allicin after consuming a product that caused weight gain quickly lost the weight gained, whilst rats not given Allicin retained the extra weight gained.

Garlic is a product widely used in cooking, particularly in southern Europe, Asia, and South America. It is in these countries that garlic came to be recognized as a health benefit. In addition to its use in cookery, garlic can be eaten in its raw state, a situation that many non-eaters find extremely offensive.

However, for many people, especially those from countries where garlic is not part of their cooking culture, the best way of taking in garlic is through pills, with the odorless variety being the most popular.

The role of garlic as an appetite suppressant is now well understood. Garlic consumed gives the eater the feeling of having a full stomach; therefore, the eater no longer has the desire to continue eating. However, it has yet to be seen if garlic - Allicin - is able to reduce the amount of fat in a person's body. Whilst it may stop a person putting on weight, the proof that it can help a person reduce weight not proven at this stage.

Garlic also increases the body's metabolism. High metabolism can in turn help a person to burn calories and thus lose some weight.

As well as the beneficial Allicin compound, garlic contains many other compounds that aid good health. Research into the beneficial health properties of garlic and its many compounds is still in its early stages, but results obtained so far give every hope that garlic will prove to be a vital product in helping humankind overcome many of the troublesome health problems, including weight gain and the more serious problem of obesity.

For many people, garlic and garlic supplements taken regularly help to maintain optimum health. However, for weight loss, garlic should be seen for what it is - an ancillary product to be used in conjunction with eating healthy food and undertaking regular exercise.

After having a weight problem some years ago, the author, Gareth Black, developed an interest in the medical condition of being over weight and the benefits of an obesity pill.
He writes articles for web sites dealing with this major problem as well as tips on calorie control.

Why You Should Try Massage

The object of a massage is to:

- Relax tension in the muscles and other parts of the body

- Reduce stress and strains of the day

- Relax the mind and encourage total receptivity to relaxation

- Improve blood flow throughout the body

- Increase overall feeling of well-being and relaxation

This is done by manipulation of the muscles and connective tissues in certain prescribed ways. What a lot of people sometimes forget is that an amateurish bad massage from a friend can be worse than no massage at all and in some cases can in fact cause damage to muscles and the body. Always ensure that any person you allow to massage you is fully trained and has the necessary competence to carry out the technique that you require. This does not however stop you from having fun with your partner using massage oils that are available in drugstores. Numerous people swear by body massages for the reduction of back pain and aches caused by over exertion during sport. It is now commonplace to see during International sports matches various trainers and physiotherapists running on to the pitch at half time or the end of a game and start to massage the legs and backs of their sportsmen before muscle cramps and the pain sets in. In fact when it comes to sportsmen and women they are far ahead of the game when it comes to understanding the benefits of massage therapy. Many massage techniques have been imported from Europe to the US because of their obvious benefits. Massage in its present form has mainly been adopted form the practices prevalent in the early 20th Century in Sweden and the Nordic countries. However massage itself has been around for thousands of years. Both the ancient Roman and Greeks were firm believers in the restorative powers of massages and there are numerous mentions of massages in many old texts from that time. However not just the Europeans understood the healing powers of oil and massage but also the Chinese Emperors and their courts too understood that a great feeling of relaxation and wellbeing emanated from the judicious timing of a full body rub down. Many people are fully aware of the ancient Turkish Bathhouses but how many know that it was not just hot steam available but also a fully body massage too. The art of Massage has a long and noble history and only now are we just beginning to fully appreciate the benefits that were second nature to the ancients.

There are many types of massage from the normal generally accepted body rub, commonly known as Swedish massage, to the rather more esoteric Lomi Lomi massage of Oceania.

The Swedish, or classic massage is the most widely used and enjoyed massage and when carried out by a competent well trained masseur is a joy to receive. In Europe it is usually carried out with the recipient naked with a towel laid over their lower parts for modesty. There are different types of oils used depending on the reason for the massage and quite often there will be certain aspects of aromatherapy included too. This can be the burning of certain oils of a particular aroma which have their own restorative qualities and also using certain ambient light colours. Indeed these are also used in the saunas in Europe as they are now becoming more and more accepted as part of mainstream healthcare. The Swedish massage consists mainly of five different types of strokes, which are:

1. Sliding, rubbing the hand along the body,

2. Kneading, in a similar manner to kneading bread before baking,

3. Tapping in a rhythm, something similar to what you see doctors doing to patients in old films where the doctor puts two fingers on the patients body and rhythmically taps them,

4. The friction stroke where instead of flowing with the grain of the muscle the hands of the masseur go across the muscle,

5. And finally the vibration stroke.

In the Swedish massage the client usually lies face down on a table about waist height with a towel around the waist. If necessary cushions or pillow can be used to ensure the client is lying comfortably. There are many different oils that can be used and it is entirely up to the customer to choose whatever is their preference. However it is always a good idea for the masseur to warm the oil before starting so that right from the beginning the client is comfortable and does not receive any shocks from cold oil that can ruin the ambience and feeling of relaxation. Another good idea if you are having the massage at home is to light candles in the room to increase further the feeling of relaxation. Quite often the masseur will bring an oil burner so that the room is suffused with the aroma of essential oils which also helps with the relaxation and mood setting. Then the masseur starts on the shoulders and works all over the back and spine. For a lot of people this is the best part of the massage as it is the back that gives the most trouble and pain. Then the legs and arms are completed. After the client has turned over the front of the body is then massaged. Quite often the feet are massaged separately as this is a specialized area in its own right and there are practitioners in the East that make a good living just from being an expert foot masseur.

When the massage is completed the client should sit and relax for a while and take in some fluids. Drinking fluids will help release toxins from the body. Read a book for half an hour or sit and listen to soothing music and you will feel all your cares recede as your body relaxes and unwinds.

If you have never had a full body massage now is the time to consider it. For the undoubted benefits it brings it is surely a cheap way of improving your health and lifestyle.