Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to launch a health awareness campaign in the UAE media to address the growing global concern of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The MoU was signed by Sameh Al Fangary, General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Yousif Mohammed Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Hospitals Sector. The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Mohammad Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention; (H.E.) Dr. Hussein Abdulrahman Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Centers and Clinics, MOHAP, and Chairman of the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee.
Dr. Hussein Rand pointed out that as part of its strategy to promote community health and build quality, health, and safety systems in accordance with international standards, MOHAP works with government and private health authorities to reduce the need for daily intake of antibiotics, create awareness about its responsible use and limit its use to prescriptions made by doctors.
He added: “The MoU includes a series of activities at the national level, such as the launch of an awareness campaign through radio stations and social media to raise the level of public awareness in the country about the problem of resistance to antibiotics and clarify the negative effects of its bad use. It also includes a series of workshops on antibiotic resistance in the public and private sectors, to promote knowledge of the consequences of this serious global problem.”
Sameh Al Fangary, General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline, said the company was pleased to support the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, which aims to create greater public awareness about the correct methods of using antibiotics and strengthen medical education by enhancing the quality and efficacy of prescription of antibiotics in appropriate cases.
He added: “The UAE prohibits the sale of antibiotics without prescription, and we support the strict implementation of these guidelines. This type of policy based on global recommendations and research develops a healthy, sustainable environment that maintains the health of society in the UAE today and for future generations.”