With Ramadan due to start soon1, International SOS, the world’s leading medical and security risk services company, offers tips for a healthy Ramadan, highlighting the importance of organisations promoting healthy routines to the workforce. International SOS is also raising awareness about road safety among employers and employees, during this busy time.
Dr Firas AYASH, Senior Coordinating Doctor, Assistance Centre at International SOS, comments on the tangible steps that individuals and employers can take in the days leading up to Ramadan to reduce risk factors.
“Organisations should remind employees about maintaining a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and the importance of regular rest and exercise. Individuals who are fasting, should check their weight, blood pressure sugar levels and cholesterol before Ramadan. Each of these are key indicators for lifestyle-related conditions that are not often checked and known.”
International SOS’ advice for a healthy Ramadan is:
Focus on road safety awareness is important at this time, particularly in the hours before sunset when concentration can be decreased due to the long fasting day. Road safety is one of the top hazards for business travellers and each year approximately 1.352 million people die in road accidents around the world and between 20 and 50 million people sustain non-fatal injuries.
Mr Julian Moro, Regional Security Director, EMEA at International SOS and Control Risks, said:
“Road safety during Ramadan is a major and often unappreciated danger for travellers and those staying in their home countries. During Ramadan, traffic accidents tend to peak as sunset nears and people rush to Iftar. We would advise people to avoid any unnecessary travel on the roads at this time and take safety measures seriously whenever they are on the roads, whether as a driver, passenger or pedestrian.”
“With 30%3 of road accidents being work related, travellers, managers and support staff to negotiate the pitfalls and opportunities that exist with a mobile workforce. With a few simple precautions, individuals and employers can reduce the risks associated with being on the road.”
ENDS
1 At time of press, this is expected to be 6 May 2019, dependent on the sighting of the moon of Ramadan.
2 Global status report on road safety 2018.Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Licence: CC BYNC-SA 3.0 IGO.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190424005511/en/
Omar Alhalabi, Marketing & Communications Manager, MENA
E: omar.alhalabi@internationalsos.com,
T: +971 4253 6078, M: +971 5060 01065
Suzanne Withers, Head of PR & IC, International SOS
E: suzanne.withers@internationalsos.com,
T : +44 (0)20 8762 8494 / M: +44 (0)7825 425 500