UAE Health Ministry Joins Forces With Novo Nordisk To Fight Obesity

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has partnered with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf to develop a national scientific guide for obesity and weight management. This collaboration also includes an awareness campaign to increase understanding of cardiovascular diseases and their complications.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, and Jay Thyagarajan, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf. The event saw the presence of 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.

Dr. Al Rand highlighted that addressing obesity is a strategic priority in national health initiatives. He stated that this aligns 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 said.

The partnership aims to use 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 participate in creating this guide under a unified framework. This approach strengthens coordination between the Ministry and its strategic partners to reduce both health and economic impacts of obesity while raising awareness about cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila mentioned that this partnership would support efforts to develop a national scientific guide on obesity and weight management, drawing on various regional and global guidelines. She stressed the need for better teamwork between federal and local agencies as well as the private sector to achieve significant results.

Enhancing Healthcare Delivery

Jay Thyagarajan expressed pride in partnering with MoHAP 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," he said.

This agreement marks a strategic partnership aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection, and management of non-communicable diseases. It ultimately seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals in the UAE.

The Ministry's ongoing efforts focus on improving public health by supporting national plans for tackling non-communicable diseases through early detection. This initiative aims to enhance life quality with a top-notch health system.

Global Expertise in Tackling Obesity

Dr. Al Rand noted that collaborating with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf brings global expertise into tackling obesity in the UAE. This partnership is part of expanding networks with international experts, aiming to support national programs that fight obesity by providing latest treatments and dietary recommendations.

The non-communicable diseases and mental health department operates in a coordinated manner, setting an integrated approach based on a shared roadmap. This aims at improving national health indicators related to non-communicable diseases while reducing obesity prevalence as per the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.

This collaboration underscores MoHAP's dedication to enhancing public health through strategic partnerships that leverage global expertise while focusing on local needs.

With inputs from WAM