Queen Rania highlights need to raise awareness on health-related issues

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday said it is crucial to raise awareness on health-related issues such as the importance of balanced nutrition, the dangers of drug abuse and the necessity of obtaining patients’ medical history prior to their treatment.

The Queen made the remarks at the Royal Health Awareness Society’s (RHAS) board of trustees meeting, which she chaired on Monday.

Discussions at the meeting, which included a briefing on the society’s achievements and future plans, focused on the pivotal role the RHAS plays in promoting healthy practices among Jordanian families, according to a statement from Her Majesty’s office.

Queen Rania also praised the society’s various projects that strive to promote healthier practices among local communities, noting that the positive effect of these projects has been evident during her visits to organisations which benefited from RHAS programmes.

During the meeting, Rami Farraj, vice chairman of the RHAS board of trustees, talked about the society’s accomplishments in 2014, and said it is optimistic about achieving greater goals this year.

RHAS Director Enaam Barrishi presented a brief about the society’s programmes, which include the Shababna project that aims to establish a national network of young Jordanian volunteers who play a significant role in educating their peers and encouraging healthy lifestyles and behaviours.

Through its Healthy Community Clinic Programme the RHAS was able to provide patients with better preventative services and they are now able to manage their diseases and reduce future complications, Barrishi added. 

The society, in partnership with the ministries of education and health, continues to implement projects that focus on three main areas: schools, youths and community, the statement said.

The RHAS is also in the process of launching two new programmes in 2015 that focus on two main areas: student nutrition as well as personal and oral hygiene. 

The two projects will be launched in partnership with the education and health ministries, the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF and various private sector partners.