I congratulate everybody on the twin occasions – National Day and Dubai’s success in its bid to host Expo 2020.
These are some of the happiest moments in my life. How nice it is to celebrate both the occasions together.
Mohammed Anisur Rahman, Abu Dhabi
National Day is celebrated every year with great pomp and show. But this year is special. That’s because Dubai has won the bid to host Expo 2020, which has added to the joy and excitement.
Expo 2020 is a huge opportunity for the UAE to attract foreign investments and develop its infrastructure. We all look forward to seeing a different country in a short span of time. It’s a great achievement and a matter of pride for every individual in this country, including expatriates.
Sahil Ahmed, Dubai
By winning the bid to host Expo 2020, Dubai has attracted the world’s attention.
In the coming years the emirate will see unprecedented development. Even though a large part of the investment will come from outside of the UAE, a lot of it will also come from within the country, especially Dubai. While investing, however, Dubai should be careful.
Sustainability is key to development and Dubai has already learnt that lesson.
Any miscalculation can lead to long-term woes. I think the best way to go about it is to draw out plans for development. Any rush could bring problems in the future.
Name withheld by request
Patients will suffer for hospital crisis
I refer to the news article Costs force hospitals to poach staff (December 1).
It is definitely not good if hospitals have to struggle to keep their staff. Shortage of health care workers means one hospital will poach staff from another. This will not only affect patients but make it difficult for hospitals to rely on good doctors and nurses.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Licensing time and process for health care professionals are important factors in a health care system.
Recruiters could speed up the process by providing more information to new recruits on licensing requirements and by delivering adequate information on the country’s culture even before they join cultural awareness programmes. That would help.
The UAE has been trying to bring in high-calibre health care professionals from all over the world. And the process to ensure quality is never easy.
Nicola Jane Ablett, Abu Dhabi
Removal of rent cap will benefit all
I refer to the editorial Ending rent cap will test supply and demand (November 26).
The move will level the playing grounds for old tenants and newcomers.
Old tenants often complain about the increase in rents, but as the market stabilises over time, all parties – tenants old and new, as well as landlords – will get a fair deal.
The new tenant and old tenant will no longer face discrimination with regard to rents, because The rates will be determined by the demand and supply curves.
Aaron Antonio Pinto, Abu Dhabi
Color Walk event entertained all
I enjoyed reading Jen Thomas's blogpost Dubai Color walking around Zabeel Park (November 30).
It was a wonderful event and an absolute fun with people getting showered in colour.
I saw so many people – including young moms, old people and small children – doing the entire walk, organised with the aim to promote health and wellness.
The family time afterwards was also very pleasant. Overall, it was a well-organised event. We should have more such gatherings, and more frequently.
Shilpi Mishra, Dubai
The cause of the event was noble, but the manner in which participants were trying to raise awareness was not correct.
This only goes to show that just raising awareness isn’t sufficient and that any such event needs to be reviewed by the local medical authorities.
Allow me to explain. Any form of exercise would induce hyperventilation (simply put, increased breathing). If one gets showered in colour while doing exercise, it can cause obstructive lung disease, even pneumonia.
Sam, Dubai
