Sami Abdel Raouf (Dubai)
The Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced that the cardiovascular disease mortality index reached 84 deaths per 100,000 population, and this is a very positive result, as some countries of the world exceed the 400 deaths per 100,000 population.
In exclusive statements to the Union, she also announced the issuance of 4 national policies to develop the country’s health system, in cooperation with its relevant partners, revealing at the same time that work is currently underway to establish a national mental health registry and prepare reports and studies that support the mental health strategy.
The ministry said: “73 health studies were prepared last year 2021, dealing with various health fields, and 30 health studies have been prepared so far for the current year 2022, and these health research and studies have great importance in studying the health situation and drawing a predictive map that will support decision makers.”
In detail, the ministry indicated that the most important general policies and directions of the UAE government are focused on accelerating and developing the efficiency of the legislative process with the aim of issuing high-quality policies and legislation. From this point of view, the Ministry of Health and Community Protection sets health legislation and policies to develop the health system in the country.
It noted that it has completed 6 national policies with its relevant partners, including the national policy for promoting mental health in the country, the national policy for combating communicable diseases, and the national policy for intellectual property in the health field.
The national policy for immunization, the national drug policy and the national policy for promoting healthy lifestyles were also completed.
She stated that the National Health Workforce Accounts Study was published in its second edition in cooperation with the World Health Organization, where the study presents the values of institutions that affect the health labor market through education, workforce and population needs, and this study is considered one of the leading studies at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Regarding the results of the national executive teams for indicators of mortality reduction in cardiovascular diseases and obesity, the ministry replied: The national executive teams for indicators of mortality from cardiovascular diseases have developed clear national plans and strategies to combat and control cardiovascular diseases. She added, “The mortality index from cardiovascular diseases reached 84 deaths per 100,000 population, and this is a very positive result, as some countries of the world exceed the 400 deaths per 100,000 population.”
She said: “The Ministry of Health and Community Protection also focused on the national program to combat obesity in children 5-17, which aims to govern activities to reduce the proportion of children with obesity by working with various relevant health and concerned departments and sectors, through health education strategies, policies and legislation, and creating an environment supportive of health.
sustainable development
On the results of the ministry’s implementation of the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, the ministry confirmed that the UAE continues to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as the UAE has worked to integrate its health-related goals into all government frameworks at the national level. She said: “The sustainable development goals were set as basic indicators of the country’s comprehensive national agenda, giving strategic priority to the new sustainable development goals related to health and raising the level of universal health coverage.”
Corona challenges
The Ministry stressed that, despite the challenges that accompanied the spread of (Covid-19), the Ministry of Health and Community Protection achieved a distinguished achievement that constitutes a qualitative addition to the UAE’s record in the fields of global leadership last year 2021, as it became the first federal entity in the region and the first global health authority to obtain Obtain 3 ISO certificates at once in health informatics data management and quality, studies management and data analysis in accordance with international quality standards.
Legislation control
She added, “The government of the United Arab Emirates also relies on the third goal of the sustainable development goals as guiding principles in planning, making, setting priorities, implementing and monitoring relevant legislation, policies and strategies.” She pointed out that among these legislations are the mental health policy, the national strategy for non-communicable diseases, the national strategy for quality of life 2031, and work to achieve universal health coverage.