The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organized an interactive forum on latent tuberculosis, titled “Engaging Discussions and Collaborative Insights for Effective Screening Policy Development.”
The forum aimed to develop a comprehensive national framework for the early screening and detection of TBI and establish a national tuberculosis control program to improve early detection and curb the disease's spread among community members.
The event was attended by Dr. Laila Al-Jasmi, Head of the Communicable Diseases and Immunization Department at MoHAP, as well as representatives from health authorities, including the Dubai Health Authority, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, and the Emirates Health Services. The event also included representatives from Oman’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Participants engaged in discussions, sharing experiences to develop innovative screening policies that reflect the latest global practices.
The gathering is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance community health and prevent infectious diseases, in line with its strategy to achieve integrated and sustainable healthcare.
Comprehensive health policies
H.E. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand said, “The TBI forum is yet another significant step in our mission towards improving public health by adopting the best international practices in fighting infectious diseases. We are committed to building a health system that’s not just innovative but also built on strong partnerships—a system that can strengthen our ability to tackle the challenges that come with TBI, ensuring we detect it early and keep our community safe.”
He continued, “We’re working closely with our partners across health authorities in the UAE and with the World Health Organisation to develop national policies based on the latest science and best practices. These policies aim to unify efforts and establish innovative screening mechanisms that boost early detection rates for TBI while also raising health awareness among community members. It’s all part of our strategy to create a connected and forward-thinking health system that provides proactive and comprehensive services, backed by strong policies and public health programs.”
Early detection a priority
Meanwhile, Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi emphasised that the forum has provided an ideal platform for sharing experiences with health authorities across the country.
“Collaboration among national health authorities is fundamental to achieving our health goals,” she noted. “Through this forum, we sought to strengthen strategies for screening and early detection of TBI, especially for high-risk groups like healthcare workers. We also strived to develop innovative solutions to enhance screening processes that keep pace with today’s health challenges.”
Al Marzouqi added that the Ministry’s strategies are tailored to raise health awareness and manage preventive and community health programs to improve quality of life across the nation through awareness campaigns that educate healthcare workers and the public on the importance of early detection.
She noted that prevention is the first line of defence against tuberculosis, making early detection a top priority for the Ministry and the health sector.
MoHAP Strategies
The forum is part of MoHAP’s comprehensive strategies aimed at boosting collaboration among health institutions and developing advanced solutions for screening processes. The Ministry’s strategies are also aimed at supporting national efforts to implement comprehensive and standardised screening policies, fostering collaboration and complementarity among stakeholders.
Innovation in screening and early detection is also a priority, with the adoption of advanced diagnostic tools that allow for the identification of diseases at their earliest stages. Additionally, the Ministry is committed to health sustainability by embracing international best practices that strengthen the resilience of the health system.
Panel Discussion
During the forum, senior officials from participating health authorities came together to share the UAE’s experiences in combating latent tuberculosis. They also discussed ways to strengthen coordination among national health entities, with the goal of achieving even better results.
Attendees expressed their commitment to rolling out agreed-upon policies and developing screening programs that align with the UAE’s vision to protect community health and prevent infectious diseases. They also reiterated their support for the global fight to eliminate tuberculosis by 2050, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the WHO’s mission to defeat the disease.