Sharjah Executive Council approves ‘Care Leave'
The meeting was held in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council.
The council addressed several topics related to the organisation and monitoring of government departments and entities across the emirate, and reviewed key developmental strategies aimed at raising the quality of services provided in Sharjah.
In line with the directives of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Executive Council approved amendments to Resolution No. (12) of 2021, which pertains to the executive regulations of Law No. (6) of 2015 on human resources in Sharjah.
Under the new policy, a female employee who gives birth to a child with a medical condition or disability requiring constant care will be eligible for fully paid care leave following maternity leave. The key provisions include:
1. A medical report must be submitted from an authorised medical body.
2. The care leave will last one year with full pay after maternity leave ends.
3. The leave may be extended annually for up to three years with the relevant authority's approval and a supporting medical report.
4. Should the child's health improve, the authority may terminate the leave based on medical recommendations.
5. Employee performance during care leave will be evaluated under the existing performance management framework.
6. If the leave exceeds three years, the case will be referred to the Higher Committee for Human Resources.
7. The care leave will be counted as part of the employee's total service.
The council also issued a resolution regarding the executive regulations of Law No. (2) of 2021 concerning human resources for military personnel in Sharjah's regulatory bodies.
The regulation includes comprehensive legal articles on terminology, application frameworks, job classification, recruitment, salary structures, allowances, promotions, and other employment benefits.
It further outlines mechanisms related to internal transfers, secondments, training, educational leave, performance appraisals, job responsibilities and restrictions, end-of-service processes, and associated benefits, along with relevant annexes and templates.
The council reviewed a detailed report on the performance of district councils and plans for expansion across cities within the emirate. It also assessed various community-focused initiatives designed to strengthen social cohesion and elevate public cultural awareness through the vital role of these councils.
Recently, Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, presided over a meeting of the Executive Council at the Ruler's Office. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed.
During the meeting, the SEC reviewed recent updates on government initiatives in the emirate.
They examined reports on the activities of various government departments and agencies, and gained insights into the progress of development projects underway in different cities and regions. The Council has reviewed proposals aimed at developing a training and qualification programme for job seekers in Sharjah.
This initiative, launched under the guidance of Sheikh Sultan, seeks to equip job hunters with comprehensive training and development opportunities. The goal is to enhance their skills and capabilities, thereby enabling them to secure suitable employment opportunities.
The Council also examined the report detailing the outcomes of implementing Council Resolution No. 19 of 2022, which focuses on providing medical and dental care services to elderly citizens in Sharjah.
This initiative aims to safeguard the elderly from diseases affecting their teeth and mouth, while also addressing the related health issues they may encounter.
WAM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Hamad Al Sharqi, Mansour bin Zayed inaugurate Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Fujairah
8 July 2025 16:31 FUJAIRAH (WAM)Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, officially inaugurated Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in hospital was established as part of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan initiatives, at a total cost of Dh843 million, and is considered one of the UAE's most advanced healthcare an area of 89,000 square metres, the hospital has a current capacity of 222 beds, expandable to more than 350. It specialises in providing tertiary care services in line with the highest global Highnesses, accompanied by several officials, toured the hospital's facilities, including centres of excellence, operating theatres, intensive care units, laboratories and inpatient wards. The hospital features three medical centres of excellence: the Burn Treatment Centre, the Rehabilitation Centre and the Trauma Treatment Centre, all equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver comprehensive, world-class Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi praised the initiatives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, particularly those aimed at advancing the country's healthcare system and delivering the highest standards of care in accordance with international best practices. He lauded the President's commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of UAE underlined the importance of Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in strengthening the healthcare sector in Fujairah and supporting the provision of advanced and integrated medical services for citizens and Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed expressed his appreciation for the President's dedication to enhancing the UAE's comprehensive and sustainable development journey and his commitment to providing dignified living standards for Emiratis across the affirmed that Sheikh Khalifa Hospital is one of the most vital development projects implemented under the President's Initiatives, aligned with the UAE government's future vision to elevate the national healthcare system and establish a healthy and prosperous added that the hospital's inauguration is part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure across all emirates and improve services for citizens as part of a broader vision to strengthen social and developmental pillars in the coming also emphasised the project's role in enriching the national healthcare ecosystem by training and qualifying Emirati professionals to contribute to the country's medical hospital is equipped with the latest medical technologies, including advanced imaging systems such as CT scans, MRI, and tomography, in addition to modern laboratories and specialised equipment for its three centres of also houses a state-of-the-art emergency and trauma department with 30 beds, expandable to 60, and 55 outpatient clinics catering to diverse healthcare needs. Its comprehensive rehabilitation centre features cutting-edge therapeutic equipment, including speech therapy and audiometry, a hydrotherapy pool, two hyperbaric oxygen therapy rooms and advanced prosthetic burns unit comprises 10 patient rooms, five intensive care beds dedicated to burns, and an operating theatre equipped for such cases. The hospital also includes four royal suites, eight VIP suites, 45 beds across medical and surgical wings, 15 general intensive care beds and 10 cardiac ICU Khalifa Hospital in Fujairah was established under the President's Initiatives to support the UAE's healthcare infrastructure to the highest international standards, providing advanced medical services to residents close to their homes as part of a fully integrated medical hospital is managed by The Medical Office (TMO) under PureHealth Group, which oversees the Sheikh Khalifa hospital network in the northern emirates, under the umbrella of the President's Initiatives and in coordination with the Presidential Medical Office provides strategic guidance and governance for the hospital, playing a key role in expanding access to advanced healthcare, nurturing national talent in the health sector and strengthening community health across the line with the leadership's commitment to developing national competencies, the hospital prioritises training and upskilling Emirati medical professionals through specialised educational and training programmes aimed at preparing a new generation of healthcare leaders. The hospital operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for emergency and inpatient services. Outpatient clinics receive patients from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, ensuring continuity in delivering high-quality, professional healthcare services.
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Parkinson's Study Revives Hopes of Neuronal Recovery
A targeted drug therapy has shown potential to reverse cellular damage in Parkinson's disease by regenerating critical brain structures and restoring neuron function, according to new findings from a leading neuroscience research team. Scientists at Stanford University have demonstrated that suppressing the hyperactivity of a specific enzyme, LRRK2, with a compound called MLi-2 can prompt substantial recovery of dopaminergic signalling in a genetically engineered mouse model of Parkinson's. The treatment not only halted further degeneration but appeared to reverse structural impairments in the affected brain cells, marking a significant shift in understanding how Parkinson's progression might be modified at a cellular level. Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative condition marked by tremors, rigidity, and impaired movement, is primarily caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain's substantia nigra. For decades, treatments have largely focused on symptom management rather than tackling the root causes of cellular dysfunction. The Stanford findings now suggest that correcting underlying molecular defects could pave the way for regenerative strategies. ADVERTISEMENT The breakthrough centres on the LRRK2 enzyme, mutations in which are among the most common genetic causes of Parkinson's. Overactive LRRK2 has been linked to damage of cellular structures called primary cilia — antenna-like projections that play a vital role in neuron communication and survival. The research team found that neurons in the striatum of the brain — a key region involved in motor control — lacked these cilia in the Parkinson's model mice. Using the LRRK2-inhibiting compound MLi-2, the team observed a significant regeneration of these lost cilia after three months of treatment. Dopamine signals began to function normally again in many of the affected neurons. The mice showed molecular signs of cellular recovery, with restored receptor localisation and improved intercellular communication. Importantly, the drug was administered after symptoms had started to appear, indicating that early-stage intervention could potentially reverse some aspects of the disease. Further investigations revealed that the repaired cilia helped restore the sonic hedgehog signalling pathway, which is essential for neuron protection and maintenance. In Parkinson's, reduced Shh signalling due to cilia loss contributes to further deterioration of neurons. Restoring this pathway through cilia regrowth suggests a dual benefit: halting ongoing degeneration and triggering repair mechanisms. Although the research was conducted on genetically modified mice, the implications for human forms of Parkinson's could be significant. LRRK2 mutations account for a relatively small percentage of all Parkinson's cases, but the pathway affected by this mutation may play a broader role in other forms of the disease, including idiopathic Parkinson's with unknown genetic causes. The MLi-2 compound itself is a highly selective, brain-penetrant molecule designed to inhibit LRRK2 activity without causing off-target effects. Previous efforts to target LRRK2 were hindered by concerns over safety and unintended consequences in other organs where the enzyme is also active. However, the current study found no major toxic effects over the duration of the experiment, opening the door for cautious optimism about its translational potential. ADVERTISEMENT Neuroscientists have long been searching for ways to go beyond dopamine replacement therapies, which offer temporary relief but do not prevent neuron loss. Deep brain stimulation and other invasive procedures are used in advanced cases but are not curative. A pharmacological approach that addresses root biological causes has remained elusive. The discovery that cellular antennae can regrow and restore critical signalling functions represents a conceptual leap in the field. Experts have noted that early intervention will be key. While the drug showed promise after symptoms appeared, the degree of neuronal recovery is likely to depend on how much degeneration has already taken place. Identifying Parkinson's earlier in its course, perhaps through biomarker detection, may significantly enhance the efficacy of such treatments. Further preclinical studies and safety evaluations are expected before MLi-2 or similar compounds move into human trials. Nonetheless, the research has sparked considerable interest among those exploring disease-modifying treatments. If replicated and expanded, the findings could contribute to a paradigm shift in the management of neurodegenerative conditions more broadly. The concept of regrowing cilia to restore function in damaged neurons could also have implications for other central nervous system disorders involving disrupted cell signalling. Beyond Parkinson's, researchers are already examining cilia dysfunction in conditions such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease.
Gulf Today
25-06-2025
- Gulf Today
FNC calls for reviewing housing installments, social allowance system
During its 12th session in Abu Dhabi, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, the Federal National Council (FNC) called for a comprehensive review of the social allowance system and housing installment policies, linking them to the number of children in a family. The FNC also urged the inclusion of fertility treatments under insurance coverage across all UAE emirates. It recommended that the social allowance and housing installments, based on the Cabinet decision No. 6 of 1981 should be linked to family size and loan repayment periods. Maternity leave duration and breastfeeding hours under the Federal Human Resources Law and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations were requested to re-discussed. The FNC requested to study granting childcare leave for working mothers in public and private sectors, explore reducing work hours for mothers, and assess its impact on career paths and financial benefits. The FNC has called for the launch of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at enhancing fertility rates in the UAE. The strategy should include clear performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of government programmes and initiatives. The Council emphasised the need to strengthen government initiatives which encourage and facilitate early marriage for young men and women. It also stressed the importance of developing qualitative and quantitative indicators to ensure the effectiveness of existing health policies aimed at increasing fertility rates. The Council has recommended the establishment of a Federal Fertility Centre, taking into account the geographic distribution of existing centres. The proposal includes a comprehensive plan to attract specialised professionals in the field of fertility, expand continuous medical education and training programmes, and create specialised academic programmes in collaboration with local and international universities. The Ministry of Health and Prevention was also called to coordinate with local authorities to strengthen oversight and inspection of all fertility assistance centres, with a priority to conducting specialised studies and research on factors influencing fertility rates. Additionally, the FNC urged the launch of an awareness and educational campaign highlighting the importance of boosting fertility rates and raising awareness about the risks of delaying marriage and childbirth.
