Emirates Health Services has launched BYANNLI, a long-acting schizophrenia treatment developed by Johnson & Johnson, at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, marking the first time a government hospital in the UAE has offered this therapy.
The medication requires just one dose every six months, a significant shift from the more frequent dosing schedules patients have traditionally relied on.
Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Clinical Services Sector at EHS, said the move reflects the organization's commitment to bringing internationally approved treatments to UAE patients. He described it as a step that strengthens the country's standing in mental health care while supporting more sustainable, effective treatment models centered on patient needs and long-term outcomes.
Dr. Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, pointed to treatment continuity as one of the biggest hurdles in managing chronic mental health conditions. She said BYANNLI helps patients stay on track with their care, lowering relapse risk and improving psychological and social stability. Consistent treatment, she added, benefits not just patients but their families and caregivers as well.
The rollout responds to global advances in mental health care, where extended-release medications are increasingly used to maintain symptom control while easing the burden of frequent dosing. Al Amal Hospital has already seen strong results with similar long-acting therapies, cutting readmission rates below 1 percent while pushing treatment adherence to 93 percent and symptom improvement to the same level.
The initiative aligns with the UAE's National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the Year of Family, both of which emphasize psychological and family stability as pillars of public health. EHS said the expansion reinforces its broader push toward proactive, innovation driven healthcare across the country.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
