Abu Dhabi's New Move: 'Reading In Public' Initiative Reaches Healthcare

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has entered into a cooperation agreement with Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a major UAE hospital and part of the PureHealth network. This partnership supports the Reading in Public initiative, which aims to promote national intellectual output.

The agreement, signed by Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC, and Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi, Acting CEO of SSMC, seeks to integrate the healthcare sector into this initiative. The collaboration will provide books tailored to the interests of SSMC staff and visitors.

Under this agreement, both entities will work together to enhance the role of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre in supporting Abu Dhabi's cultural sector. They aim to foster a reading habit within the community and encourage lifelong learning.

"Signing the cooperation agreement with Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City to support the 'Reading in Public' initiative reflects our shared commitment to enhancing culture and knowledge in our community, and to providing a knowledge-rich environment for the Medical City’s visitors by offering them a range of books and reading materials that suit their interests," said Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji.

Al Tunaiji highlighted that studies show providing books in healthcare settings can reduce stress and improve patients' experiences during their stay. He believes reading is not just entertainment but also stimulates the mind and enhances mental health.

Dr. Marwan Al Kaabi commented on the partnership: "Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is committed to providing an exceptional experience for patients. By collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, we aim to strengthen our focus on the Arabic language and support our mutual goals of increasing awareness, culture, and knowledge among visitors and patients."

Expanding Reading Opportunities

The agreement includes selecting areas that appeal to the public and encourage reading. It also supports publishing reading materials in Arabic by translating intellectual content from various languages into Arabic. This effort aims to develop human capital and enhance community intellectual abilities.

The 'Reading in Public' initiative targets eight locations in its first phase, chosen for their suitability to its goals. These locations include hotels, hospitals, and cafes, encouraging people to use waiting spaces productively by enriching their culture and knowledge.

The initiative showcases books published by the Kalima Project for Translation and the Esdarat Project. These books are selected based on their popularity and updated quarterly according to audience needs, ensuring access to recent publications that meet objectives and enhance knowledge.

SSMC serves over 5,000 patients weekly, providing an excellent opportunity to enrich cultural journeys and promote reading in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration aims to create a knowledge-rich environment for visitors through diverse reading materials.

This partnership between ALC and SSMC underscores their commitment to promoting culture through reading while enhancing patient experiences at healthcare facilities across Abu Dhabi.

With inputs from WAM