Royal Opera House Muscat to be lit up for World Cancer Day

Energy Saturday 03/February/2018 21:11 PM
By: Times News Service
Royal Opera House Muscat to be lit up for World Cancer Day

Muscat: The iconic Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) will be lit up on February 4 to observe World Cancer Day.
The move is aimed at creating awareness about cancer and to show cancer patients, survivors and their families that they are not alone and that the country embraces them. It is also meant to endorse Oman’s global role in the prevention and control of cancer nationally and globally.
The Union International for Cancer Control (UICC), a globally recognised cancer control organization, has endorsed February 4 as Global UICC Cancer Day. This year, as a tool for advocacy and awareness, some 140 countries will observe the day by lighting at least one of their recognised monuments. The colour of the lights will be blue and orange.
Meanwhile, the government of Oman has been putting in a lot of effort to provide the best healthcare services to people.
The Ministry of Health, working through the National Non-communicable Diseases Committee, a number of government bodies, and in coordination with the Oman Cancer Association and the National Oncology Centre at Royal Hospital, has managed to change the understanding of cancer in the country and has provided various facilities for a healthy lifestyle.
Prevention is the best tool for the control of cancer and it directly, positively impacts the country’s socio-economic status and Gross Domestic Product.
For the last 18 years, the Oman Cancer Association has been working to create and spread cancer awareness in the community and to support cancer patients, survivors, their families, and the community at large. Through its programs, the Association has been successful to a great extent in removing the stigma and taboo related to the disease and in creating a paradigm change towards cancer prevention and control.
The lighting of the Opera House is not just symbolic, but also shows Oman’s strong commitment to fight cancer.
The Oman Cancer Association and the UICC have expressed gratitude to the Oman Opera House board, the government, and all those who made the noble endeavour possible.