Sharjah 24: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has teamed up with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf, a major player in global healthcare, to create a national scientific guide to tackle obesity and manage weight. Both sides will also collaborate to launch an awareness campaign to boost understanding of cardiovascular diseases and their complications.
The agreement was signed at the Ministry’s headquarters by HE Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, and Jay Thyagarajan, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf. The event was also attended by Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi, Director of the Public Health and Prevention Department, and Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of the Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Department at the Ministry.
The partnership is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to improve public health and support the national plan for tackling non-communicable diseases and their early detection, aiming to enhance the quality of life with a top-notch health system.
The deal provides for the use of innovations to build effective capacities for developing a national scientific guide on combating obesity and managing weight in adults. All health authorities across the country will take part in charting out the guide, under a unified framework that strengthens coordination and collaboration between the Ministry and its strategic partners to reduce both the health and economic impacts of obesity while raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases and their complications.
National efforts and global expertise
Dr. Al Rand emphasized that addressing obesity is a strategic priority in national health initiatives, aligning with the UAE government's commitment to improving public health and enhancing prevention and awareness of obesity-related complications. The Ministry will spare no effort to manage preventive and community health programs to promote the quality of life across the UAE.
He further noted that the non-communicable diseases and mental health department is operating in a coordinated manner to set an integrated approach based on a shared roadmap. This is to improve national health indicators related to non-communicable diseases and their risk factors as well as to reduce obesity prevalence in line with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.
His Excellency highlighted the importance of collaborating with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf to bring in global expertise for tackling obesity in the UAE. This partnership is part of the Ministry's plan to grow its network of partners and international experts, aiming to support national programs that fight obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle by providing the latest treatments and dietary recommendations for managing obesity effectively.
Preventing non-communicable diseases
For her part, Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila said that the partnership with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf will support the Ministry’s efforts to develop a national scientific guide on obesity and weight management, drawing on various regional and global guidelines. This guide is intended to improve efforts against obesity and related issues like diabetes and heart disease.
Bin Belaila also stressed the need for better teamwork between federal and local agencies and the private sector to achieve great results and boost the country’s competitiveness.
Supporting MoHAP efforts
Meanwhile, Jay Thyagarajan said, "We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Health and Prevention on this vital project. We look forward to bringing our global expertise to enhance healthcare delivery in the field of non-communicable diseases and to promote community awareness of healthy lifestyles in the UAE."
This agreement marks a strategic partnership with the Ministry aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection, and management of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals in the UAE.
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