Abu Dhabi; In order to better tackle the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases, a new strategy is currently in the works for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Gulf News has learnt.
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.
“Over the last few years, we have introduced a number of awareness campaigns and disease screening programmes. These are now being implemented, but what is lacking is the backing and support of residents. Through this new plan, we hope to inspire more responsibility among the public to reduce the incidence of lifestyle diseases,” 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).
“After comparing the approaches used in countries like Australia and Norway, draft proposals on the issue have already been developed by Haad. But this is not sufficient to promote healthy eating. We need to make healthy food alternatives more easily accessible. At the same time, residents need to recognise the harms in regularly consuming calorie-rich, unhealthy foods,” Dr Omniyat said.
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.
“We introduced the vaccine in 2008 to female pupils who were enrolled in Grade 11 at Abu Dhabi schools. In the 2013-2014 academic year, the uptake of this vaccine was 93 per cent, and this is very encouraging,” Dr Jalaa said.
An annual breast cancer awareness campaign launched in 2007 has also reduced the late-stage presentation of the disease, which is the most fatal cancer among Abu Dhabi women, from 64 per cent to 16 per cent in 2012.
“There is now a need to sustain these achievements, and ensure that people stay vigilant against the risk factors of lifestyle disease,” the official said. Delegates at the conference also discussed the need for regulation to limit advertising of unhealthy foods.
