MoHAP signs MoU with Viatris to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Viatris, to support the ministry’s efforts, initiatives, campaigns, research and workshops designed to achieve the objectives of the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.

The partnership agreement was signed by Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP, and Tamer El Sallab, Head of Gulf & Levant Cluster, Viatris, during a panel discussion titled "Best practices to address the challenges of noncommunicable [DH1] diseases in the country and the region", organised in cooperation with Viatris, a Global Healthcare Company, at the Museum of the Future.

Commenting on the MoU, Al Amiri said that the collaboration with Viatris will not only fuel the ministry’s ongoing efforts to fight non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes but will also contribute to achieving our strategic goals of promoting healthy lifestyles in the UAE, reducing associated diseases and improving the results of national health indicators.

Stressing the importance of expanding public-private partnerships in the fight against NCDs, Al Amiri stated,

"The private sector is fundamental component of our health sector in terms of the investment of public sector in health and health care, the potential within the private sector to finance healthcare. It plays a significant role in achieving the universal health coverage for everyone leaving no one behind, building capacities and establishing accessible and resilient healthcare system, while also promoting innovation to find solutions for today’s and tomorrow challenges. The MoU that we signed today with Viatris will certainly help us bring about these goals, which will eventually reflect on improving people's quality of life and promoting healthy lifestyles and mental health. "

For his part, Ayman Mokhtar, Viatris Regional President for the Middle East, Turkey & Levant Region, reaffirmed Viatris’ steadfast commitment to be UAE’s partner of choice for developing sustainable and innovative solutions that help achieve better health outcomes for people living with NCDs.

The panel discussion discussed the challenges of NCDs in the UAE and the region, as well as the UAE’s ongoing efforts to confront and control NCDs and ways to promote healthy lifestyles. The gathering also outlined the initiatives launched by concerned health authorities to ensure community members lead healthy lives by implementing best practices and supporting the development of an efficient and sustainable healthcare system.

The workshop, which aligns with the ministry’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the implementation of the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, was attended by Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector; Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP; and Dr. Aisha Al Mehairi, Director of MoHAP’s Quality of Life and Sustainable Development department. Also present were Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of Non-communicable Disease Department at MoHAP; Dr. Amin Muhammad Al Shami, Quality of Life and Sustainable Development Consultant, Ayman Mokhtar; and Tamer El Sallab, Head of Gulf & Levant Cluster, Viatris.

In his opening speech, Dr. Al Rand said,

"Ensuring a healthy life for every individual, family, and community in the UAE is our top priority and fundamental element in our governmental framework. Therefore, our aspiration is to achieve the optimum of our people’s health, social, economic, and ecological wellbeing, in line with the UAE vision 2021 and Centennial plan 2071, which aim to make the UAE the best and happiest country in the world."

"The UAE has been one of the early countries to dedicate a national strategy for happiness and wellbeing. In 2016, the UAE deployed the national program for happiness and wellbeing, while in 2019 the UAE government launched the national wellbeing strategy 2031. Moreover, the UAE leadership and government spare no effort to support, endorse and spread wellbeing. During the 75th WHA held in Geneva last May, the UAE led a resolution, which has been approved, calling upon the director general to develop a framework and action plan on achieving well-being, and encourage governments to create inclusive, equitable, and healthy communities,"

Al Rand added.

The Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector went on to say,

"In line with the Suitable Development Goal number 3, our national priorities for health and wellbeing are fostering the means of public health and healthcare to address our ambitious targets to control NCDs and to promote good mental wellbeing. Establishing an accessible and resilient world-class healthcare system is on our national agenda as a primary objective and enabler against current and future health-related threats. And COVID-19 was the best example that has proven the robustness and accessibility of our health system."

News Source: Emirates News Agency