Fonterra, makers of Anlene, the only milk scientifically proven to help prevent bone loss, is bringing its global Anlene Bone Health Check programme to the Middle East.

The pilot projects will scan more than 60,000 women in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

The Anlene Bone Health Check is an international initiative that has provided free bone scans to more than 1.2 million people in nine countries across Asia-Pacific over the last 12 months. The programme has pledged to scan more than three million people in three years.

The Anlene Bone Health Check will be available initially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE; as well as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

The first event will take place in Dubai tomorrow (October 25) at the Mall of the Emirates. The first KSA event will be on November 7, with the location to be made available on the Anlene website (www.anlene.ae /ar.anlene.ae).

Coinciding with the global launch of the International Osteoporosis Foundation's (IOF) World Osteoporosis Day, the campaign strengthens the fight against the increasing problem of poor bone health across the Middle East.

Medical experts have highlighted that the Middle East has one of the poorest bone health records worldwide, with an alarming 30 per cent of all adults over 50 years suffering from osteoporosis.

The Anlene Bone Health Check programme, in partnership with GE Healthcare, is expected to assist in generating significant awareness about bone health.

In addition to the launch of the Anlene Bone Health Check programme, Anlene and the IOF have committed to publish the first State of the Nation: Bone Health Report specifically for the UAE to provide vital statistics on osteoporosis in the region.

'Through the Bone Health Report we hope to create a critical mass of informed people, as well as medical experts, who will help champion our cause against osteoporosis,' said regional managing director Asia-Middle East, Fonterra Brands, Pradeep Pant.

The Anlene Bone Health Check is a simple three minute procedure that has provided invaluable information about bone health and osteoporosis prevention. It is currently operational in Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Indonesia, and now in the Middle East.

'Globally, and specifically in this region, osteoporosis is a healthcare concern. However, if diagnosed early the disease can be managed,' said general Mmnager at GE Healthcare for the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Turkey (MECAT) region Isam Moursy.

The Dubai Bone & Joint Center warns that the danger of osteoporosis goes beyond its debilitating effects on the body. There are serious lifestyle implications that could weigh heavily on a patient's overall well-being.
The Anlene Bone Health Check will tour various locations in each city, from shopping malls, health clubs, supermarkets and in to communities, ensuring members of the public can reach an event.- TradeArabia News Service