ADM seizes unlicensed medical equipment, hundreds of dangerous cosmetics, and toxic toys

Abu Dhabi (WAM): Municipal inspectors in Abu Dhabi have seized three medical equipment used in providing unlicensed treatment services, and 444 expired hair-dying products. The Public Health Division, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, has carried out intensive evening inspection campaigns during the month of Ramadan and Eid period targeting beauty centres and salons as well as Ramadan & Eid Exhibition held at the Exhibition Yard under the theme (Your Beauty & Health Make Joyful Eid). The campaign was prompted by the huge turnout and rising number of visitors of beauty centres and salons during this period, particularly ladies and children, who were keen to have decorative Henna designs among other familiar preparations made on the eve of the Eid. The campaign was also contemplated in the aftermath of trendy and newly introduced practices and services involving the use of Henna; the properties and chemical composition of which have been manipulated in keeping with the trend to use of the harmful black Henna. Khalifa Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Director of Public Health, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, said: "The Municipality is keen on intensifying such campaigns to safeguard the health of individuals and minimise the potential rise in the number of offences reported against the personnel running those facilities during this period. The campaign, which lasted four days, continued for three days at beauty salons, and one day at the Exhibition Centre during Ramadan.'' "The objective of the campaign was to verify the implementation of all health stipulations and general cleanliness besides following up warnings to ensure that beauty centres and salons which had been served with previous warnings have made corrective actions as appropriate. "The campaign resulted in seizing 3 medical equipment used in providing unlicensed treatment services, and might pose a risk to service recipients, and the seizure of 444 expired hair-dying stuffs," revealed Al Rumaithi. The inspection teams also succeeded in seizing prohibited materials the use of which is banned in the U.A.E. pursuant to decrees and circulars from the Ministry of Health. These included toys containing toxic substances that will have serious side effects in case of being swallowed, in addition to products alleged to have therapeutic and sexual effects found in Ramadan & Eid Exhibition, unlicensed ladies cosmetics incompliant with the health standards, and consumable materials containing hazardous substances. It is noticed that the number of seized items has decreased recently in view of the rising awareness of employees of these beauty centres, and the Public Health Division will intensify campaigns in future to curb various types of offences in order to achieve high compliance rating comparable with the international standards. Explaining the objectives of the campaign, Al Rumaithi said: "In keeping with the commitment of the Municipality to maintain the safety & health of the community, these activities and campaigns are intended to verify the compliance with the health stipulations and maintain a high level of cleanliness in these service facilities which are in touch with community members. In the meantime, the Municipality will be able to follow-up warnings and notices served to these centres to take corrective measures and continuously improve the standards of security, safety and public health of all visitors of these centres. "The campaign covered 144 beauty centres and salons and resulted in reporting 5 offences and serving 2 warnings only; which is a testament to the success of the educative and awareness-raising campaigns launched by the Municipality targeting female staffs of these centres, and the rising response towards addressing the requisites of public health as well as the conditions & standards for practicing these professions," concluded Director of Public Health, Abu Dhabi City Municipality. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395268568136.html