Sharjah, May 4, 2020:  The Friends of Arthritis Patients Society (FOAP) of the Health Promotion Department at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), has recently launched the “Coronavirus and Arthritis” online initiative to provide moral support to arthritis patients amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

As part of the initiative, a series of awareness videos have been published on FOAP’s social media platforms, in addition to streaming medical episodes entitled “doctor’s advice” through the Instagram live feature, where a number of rheumatologists provided important tips about how to prevent COVID-19 and how to immunize your body.

In the same vein, FOAP contacted a number of arthritis patients to identify their needs and to raise their awareness about healthy eating during this period of time, as well as to provide them with the necessary support in cooperation with the concerned entities. 

Backing governmental efforts in the fight against COVID-19

Her excellency Waheeda Abdul Aziz, Head of FOAP, said: “The initiative comes as part of FOAP’s quest to support the governmental efforts in combating COVID-19 and it aims to provide arthritis patients with the necessary support amid the virus outbreak, especially that they fall under the category of chronic diseases and impaired immunity .”

“Coronavirus and Arthritis” initiative also constitutes a communication channel, through which we receive the inquiries of arthritis patients form all age groups to provide them with the advice and guidance and to raise their awareness about the hazards of arthritis, she added.

The Head of FOAP valued the efforts of the Emirates Society for Rheumatology in making this initiative successful, pointing out that FOAP, under the patronage 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, strives to improve the physical and mental health of patients through the cooperation and partnership with various public and private sectors in launching and adopting awareness and educational programs about the symptoms and complications of joint diseases and urging families to follow healthy lifestyles to avoid infection.