The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) organized a workshop for the development of a comprehensive national policy to promote a healthy lifestyle in the country, as part of the government's strategy to develop work mechanisms based on competitiveness, innovation, proactive solutions, as well as to confront future health changes and develop public health-oriented national initiatives.
Chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, the workshop was attended by Dr. Lubna Al Shaali, Director of Health Policies and Legislation Department, Dr. Rasha Salama, Public Health Adviser at the Ministry, and several officials concerned with public health, health education and promotion.
National framework for a healthy life
During the workshop, Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, highlighting the objectives of the national policy to promote a healthy lifestyle, emphasized that the policy is designed to keep pace with continuous developments, benefit from local and international experiences, and build on prior accomplishments of the health sector.
As part of a national framework of three primary levels "individuals, society, and the country," Al Rand pointed out that encouraging a healthy lifestyle, promoting excellent mental health, and embracing positive thinking is a key element for the well-being of community members.
He maintained that this works in conjunction with the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aims to promote an integrated notion of wellbeing, and thus supporting the UAE Centennial 2071.
Health promotion programs
The Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector further stressed the necessity of coordinated efforts at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as the private sector, in addressing challenges and instilling a culture of innovation in order to establish a world-class health system.
"Together with increasing society's capacity to adopt a healthy lifestyle with all the necessary skills, our goal is to create a legislative environment supportive of health, and to engage civil society organizations along with public and private sectors involved in health promotion initiatives," Al Rand added.
The workshop focused on three national indicators: the indicator of the prevalence of childhood obesity, the indicator of persons with diabetes, and the prevalence of smoking any tobacco products.
The participants commended the community health initiatives that were implemented, while emphasizing the importance of their long-term sustainability in ensuring society’s welfare, through three courses of action; legislation and policies, awareness and media, research and studies.
Advanced legislative umbrella
In her address during the workshop, Dr. Lubna Al-Shaali, Director of the Department of Health Policies and Legislation stated, "The policy to promote a healthy lifestyle is a national framework comprising a roadmap with numerous options."
She added that the policy places a strong emphasis on modifiable behavioral factors that contribute to the prevention of diseases.
Furthermore, she observed that this is accomplished by taking a multi-sectoral approach underpinned by a well-developed and flexible legislative framework, which would result in more effective and efficient use of national resources, as well as coordination of planning and implementation, role definition, and improved information exchange and innovative initiatives.
Lifestyle diseases have posed a challenge for health systems in recent years, as they have dire health, social, and economic consequences for development goals and societal well-being. This emphasizes the importance of stakeholders participating in the development of national policies, legislation, and regulations to promote healthy lifestyle habits.