The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has established a partnership with Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf focusing on the creation of a national scientific guide for obesity management and weight control.

The collaboration also aims to enhance public awareness of cardiovascular diseases and their complications.

The deal, signed at MoHAP headquarters, was formalised by Public Health Sector Assistant Undersecretary Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand and Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf general manager Jay Thyagarajan.

Public Health and Prevention Department director Dr Nada Al Marzouqi and MoHAP Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Department head Dr Buthaina Bin Belaila also attended the signing.

The initiative is part of MoHAP's broader strategy to promote public health and aligns with the national plan to combat non-communicable diseases and facilitate their early detection.

The agreement entails leveraging new approaches to develop the national scientific guide, which will involve all health authorities in the UAE.

The guide will be created within a unified framework to ensure strong coordination and collaboration between MoHAP and its strategic partners.

The focus will be on mitigating the health and economic impacts of obesity and increasing awareness about cardiovascular diseases and their complications.

Dr Al Rand stated: “Addressing obesity is a strategic priority in national health initiatives, aligning with the UAE government's commitment to improving public health and enhancing prevention and awareness of obesity-related complications.

The noncommunicable diseases and mental health departments are working together to develop a coordinated approach based on a common roadmap.

This is aimed at enhancing national health indicators for noncommunicable illnesses and associated risk factors, as well as to minimise obesity prevalence in accordance with the country's National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.