The UQU Medical Center has been keen on activating the Health Care streams, and promoting sports activities among the university community, through the events of the 'My Health Is My Life' Program. The program is organized in collaboration with the Infection Control Unit at the Ministry of Health and the School Health Department in the General Directorate of Education in Makkah, to educate students about the importance of sports in improving the lifestyle of individuals and families, and achieving national goals in building a society whose members enjoy a balanced lifestyle.
Dr. Tahani Rashad Al-Jamal, Consultant of Restorative Dentistry, stressed the need to integrate physical activity with the basic classifications of the food pyramid to fulfill all areas of health care. She highlighted the role of sports in improving memory and increasing academic achievement. This holds true, especially since some students neglect exercise during the exams due to time constraints. Therefore, it must be adopted within the daily lifestyle and become consistent even with changing circumstances.
Dr. Tahani explained that the three-day program had an interactive nature; it was full of entertainment activities where both attendees and health mentors got involved, including the center’s female employees, and corner coordinators, from the participating bodies' side. The program's objective was to encourage female students to attend and benefit from activities and events, including the Public Health Program that provided random glucose testing, blood pressure, and body fat mass calculation, and referral of some cases to specialists after reviewing the results.