In order to better tackle the high prevalence of non-communicable Lifestyle disease, a new strategy is currently in the works for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The non-communicable Lifestyle disease is creating panic in UAE from long time and Abu Dhabi becomes the first one to take care of it.
The plan will include provisions for ‘biobanking’, a procedure in which medical professionals will collect and study biological samples from patients with non-communicable diseases, senior officials from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) have said. Further analysis of the samples could help detect genetic variations particular to UAE residents, which can then be used to create more country-specific preventative measures and treatments, they added.
The strategy will also call for greater public advocacy, said Dr Omniyat Al Hajeri, director of public health and research at the Haad.Dr Omniyat said while speaking at the Pan Medical Conference on Women’s Health in Abu Dhabi, which saw hundreds of medical professionals and health-care officials discuss the latest challenges and trends in the field. The three-day conference which was organised by the UAE Ministry of Interior under the patronage of Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Minister of Interior, concluded yesterday (Saturday).
Speaking on the occasion,Dr Jalaa Taher, manager of non-communicable diseases at the Haad, said that the emirate of Abu Dhabi has made quite a few gains in the fight against cancer. Cancer is currently the second most fatal disease in the emirate after cardiovascular disease.One of these positive cancer prevention steps includes the widespread acceptance of a vaccine that protects against cervical cancer.
An annual breast cancer awareness campaign launched in 2007 has also reduced the late-stage presentation of the Lifestyle disease, which is the most fatal cancer among Abu Dhabi women, from 64 per cent to 16 per cent in 2012.
There have been welfare campaigns before held in different parts of the UAE but as fast as the implementation is concerned, it lacked somehow. However, the events are now being successful now; the organizers should now concentrate on to convert the initial success to achievements for Lifestyle disease .
Leave a Reply