In a significant step towards integrating culture and knowledge into healthcare, Emirates Health Services (EHS), through its Mental Health Department, has partnered with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s "A World Reads" initiative to provide over 5,000 Arabic and English books to hospital libraries.
Timed with National Reading Month, this collaboration aligns with EHS’s vision to establish libraries in hospital wards, fostering a therapeutic environment enriched with intellectual engagement. The initiative aims to promote a reading culture and broaden access to knowledge for all societal segments, including patients in EHS facilities.
An official handover event at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital marked the initiative’s launch, attended by key figures including Dr. Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS; Dr. Ammar Albanna, Director of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital; and Ali Juma Al Tamimi, Director of the Libraries Department at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library.
Dr. Noor Almheiri emphasized that integrating books into hospitals supports mental well-being by providing patients with intellectual stimulation, a connection to the world, and opportunities for personal development. She highlighted that reading plays a pivotal role in rehabilitation and enhancing the quality of life.
Ali Juma Al Tamimi reiterated the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library’s commitment to fostering a culture of reading, particularly among youth, to build a knowledge-driven society. He noted that initiatives like "A World Reads" contribute to lifelong learning and national development by expanding access to diverse knowledge resources.
The initiative involves distributing books across multiple EHS facilities and setting up hospital libraries to support both educational and therapeutic programs. This effort aligns with the UAE’s broader literacy and cultural goals, including National Reading Month "UAE Reads 2025" and the UAE Centennial 2071 Vision, which aspires to create a knowledge-based society.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
