Dubai Health Authority launches the Tummyfish Arabic mobile app to make drinking water more fun for children. This initiative is part of “More Water” behavior from United for Healthier Kids movement created by Nestlé Middle East in 2015 to help parents nurture healthier generations.
The launch took place during Innovation week 2016, a nationwide celebration of innovation for everyone in the UAE in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. H.E Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA said: “Dubai Health Authority is determined to implement and support any initiative that aims at nurturing healthier generations, especially those that are also linked to technology and apps – which also comes in line with our vision.”
He added: “Dubai Health Authority is committed to fostering healthy living, and in that regard welcomes partnerships and collaborations with the private sector, especially the Food industry, among which is Nestlé. The collaboration between DHA and Nestlé Middle East goes a long way in promoting healthy diets and lifestyles, with specific focus on children.”
Wafaa Ayesh, Director of Clinical Nutrition Department at DHA said: “DHA is proud to be partners in United for Healthier Kids movement, in line with Healthy Children 2021, through the launch of Tummyfish Arabic mobile app. The Tummyfish app is a great tool to help parents make drinking water more fun for kids, a habit that is an important contributor to a healthy and balanced diet.”
The Tummyfish mobile App, now available in English and Arabic, is a fun and interactive tool for parents to help track their children’s daily water intake. The App is available for free download from the App Store and Google Play. In addition to the mobile platform, little ones can learn about Tummyfish – and healthy lifestyle choices – through a full-color storybook.
Ayesh also highlighted the importance of promoting and encouraging reading during the Innovation Week, through creating a reading corner at the event where giant versions of the Arabic and English books were being read to the kids throughout the 4 days.
“The Tummyfish initiative is based on scientifically-proven behavioral change principles, and powered by creativity to make it a fun social tool,” said Patricia El Chammas, United for Healthier Kids Manager at Nestlé Middle East. “It uses messaging interventions to help parents act in ways that encourage their children to adopt healthy behaviors, and gently nudges them and their kids towards actions that are in their best interest.”
During UAE Innovation Week 2016 (23-26 November), Dubai Health Authority and United for Healthier Kids hosted various activations to promote the initiative, including storytelling from the giant English and Arabic storybooks along with other kids’ activations including face painting and coloring stations.
“We invite everybody to unite for healthier kids, by becoming a member of the movement and signing up at www.U4HK-me.com and to download Tummyfish from App Store or Google Play to witness for themselves the unique experience,” concluded Chammas.
About U4HK
United for Healthier Kids (U4HK) is a pioneering, comprehensive and science-based program developed by Nestlé and built on partnerships among various entities with the aim of nurturing healthier generations. In the Middle East, U4HK partners to date include: MBC Al Amal, Arabian Radio Network, Motivate Publishing, Dubai Healthy Authority and American University of Beirut.
Through nutritional science and a deep understanding of the region’s parents and kids, Nestlé identified four behaviors that need to be brought into the everyday routines of children to ensure a healthier lifestyle: MORE Movement, MORE Water, MORE Fruits & Vegetables, and MORE Managed Portions.
You can join the movement on www.U4HK-me.com, Facebook.com/U4HKme, or Instagram: @U4HKme.
About the Dubai Health Authority
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.
The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.
The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.