The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently convened an interactive forum, titled "Engaging Discussions and Collaborative Insights for Effective Screening Policy Development," aimed at advancing a national framework for early screening and detection of latent tuberculosis (LTB). The initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive national tuberculosis control program to enhance early detection and prevent disease spread within the community.
Attendees included prominent officials such as Dr. Laila Al-Jasmi, Head of the Communicable Diseases and Immunisation Department at MoHAP, alongside representatives from key health authorities including the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and Emirates Health Services. International delegates from Oman's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) also participated.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating,
“We’re working closely with partners across UAE health authorities and the WHO to establish unified policies that foster early LTB detection. Our goal is to create an innovative, proactive health system backed by robust public health programmes.”
The forum highlighted the UAE's commitment to aligning screening policies with global best practices, ensuring a consistent, nationwide approach. Discussions covered innovative policy development, fostering cooperation among stakeholders, and sharing the UAE’s experiences in combating LTB.
Participants reaffirmed their support for policies aligned with the UAE's health vision and the global target of eradicating tuberculosis by 2050, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through these efforts, MoHAP and its partners are poised to strengthen health awareness and preventive care across the UAE.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
