Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre And AstraZeneca Forge Partnership To Improve COPD Awareness And Care

The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and AstraZeneca FZ LLC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance public health initiatives. This collaboration aims to improve outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. The MoU was signed on 13 May 2025, during the 25th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of ADPHC, stated: "This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to improving population health in Abu Dhabi through proactive and innovative approaches. By partnering with AstraZeneca, we aim to deliver comprehensive solutions that raise public awareness, promote early screening, and enable best-in-class care for COPD patients. This initiative builds upon the recommendations from the Abu Dhabi Public Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) report and strengthens our vision of a healthier Abu Dhabi."

The strategic alliance between ADPHC and AstraZeneca is built around three main pillars. The first pillar focuses on raising disease awareness through joint public campaigns about COPD. These campaigns will utilise both online and offline platforms to encourage routine testing and early screening among the community.

Sameh El Fangary, Cluster President GCC at AstraZeneca, expressed: "Our most recent collaboration with ADPHC is a significant milestone in advancing public health and addressing the rising burden of chronic respiratory diseases in the UAE. Through this MoU, we are proud to support the UAE’s healthcare priorities by sharing global best practices, driving education, and enabling early diagnosis and treatment pathways. Together, we are working towards a future where every patient has the opportunity to achieve better health outcomes and an improved quality of life."

The second pillar involves developing strategies for early detection of COPD. Identifying the disease in its initial stages allows for timely intervention, reducing long-term health impacts on individuals and easing pressure on healthcare systems.

AstraZeneca's global expertise in diagnostics will play a crucial role in this partnership. The company is renowned for its work in non-communicable diseases like oncology, cardiovascular conditions, renal issues, metabolic disorders, respiratory diseases such as COPD, and rare diseases.

Sharing Best Practices

The third pillar focuses on sharing best practices from AstraZeneca's global insights into diagnostics and disease management. This includes workshops and knowledge exchange sessions with other affiliates and international partners to enhance patient care in Abu Dhabi.

A joint task force comprising representatives from both ADPHC and AstraZeneca will oversee project execution. They will align strategic priorities, evaluate feasibility, and track progress under the MoU. Detailed documentation will guide all agreed projects before implementation proceeds with mutual leadership approval.

This two-year partnership aligns with both organisations' missions to transform healthcare through evidence-based approaches. It underscores their dedication to improving patient outcomes via collaborative efforts centred around disease awareness, prevention, and best practice sharing.

ADPHC remains committed to addressing non-communicable diseases like cancer and respiratory illnesses through innovation in integrated public health systems. Their broader strategy includes launching reports like PHSSR that emphasise early screening needs alongside legislative support against chronic diseases.

With inputs from WAM