In collaboration with the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, MoHAP, recently organized a two-day virtual lab to identify the priorities of scientific research for cardiovascular diseases. The meeting comes as part of a research study on determining the country’s research needs in the cardiovascular disease field, in accordance with the requirements and aspirations of the relevant world health organizations.

As an innovative research method, the virtual lab aims to compile scientific and practical data from cardiovascular experts and relevant associations locally and globally. This study is a step to prepare a national strategic plan for cardiovascular scientific research, in line with the aspirations of the UAE’s next 50 years and the UAE Centennial Vision 2071. This research study will be published in the most important specialized scientific journals.

The meeting comes as part of MoHAP’s eagerness to consolidate its partnership with academic institutions and to team up with the relevant health authorities in the country to face cardiovascular disease which is regarded as the main cause of deaths locally and globally. The participating professors will make use of their expertise and their innovative research methods to join hands with MoHAP in order to develop scientific projects aimed at providing outstanding healthcare services as per international standards.

It also represents an interactive national platform aimed at conducting and publishing a research study to determine the priorities of scientific research for cardiovascular and preventive and curative diseases, using the study findings to develop a national strategic plan for scientific research on cardiovascular disease in the UAE by reviewing the work progress of the national indicator and analyzing the challenges.

In addition, the participants discussed developing a draft for the national plan and updating the operational plan, defining the strategic vision, and coming up with creative solutions and initiatives aimed at updating the main findings to fulfill the national priorities in cardiovascular diseases.

The lab sessions were attended by Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of Specialized Care Department, with the participation of a host cardiovascular consultants and specialists from various health authorities in the UAE, local and international cardiovascular associations, and MoHAP’s National Cardiovascular Indicator Team, and representatives from American University of Sharjah students who previously participated in the Heart Experts Program.

Outcomes of the strategic plan lab of the indicator

This meeting falls within the strategic plan lab for the cardiovascular indicator and MoHAP’s relentless efforts to improve the standards and quality of healthcare in the year of the next 50 and its objectives. It also aims at attracting future treatment protocols, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 and the global trends of the World Health Organization, the World Heart Federation, and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 adopted by the UN.

Moreover, the event also aims to discuss the challenges and opportunities and future research initiatives in the prevention and early detection, treatment and continuous care to reduce cardiovascular deaths, create innovative initiatives and activities to combine the efforts of all health authorities to standardize data and develop early detection programs, and cardiovascular disease screening.

Choosing five preventive and curative priorities

Dr. Mona Al Kuwari, Director of Specialized Care Department, said the meeting touched on defining the priorities of scientific research for cardiovascular diseases in the prevention and treatment field and selecting the most important five priorities for research studies. The aim is to enhance evidence-based practices in this specialty.

In an extraordinary session, the participants discussed the most important ambitions of cardiovascular disease for young people, in addition to the national indicator of future initiatives.

Al Kuwari added that the participants discussed the national policy plan for emergency cardiovascular care services and the implementation of the best comprehensive clinical practices in centers of excellence in terms of providing care for cardiovascular patients and raising the efficiency of health workers, and preparing a national record of cardiovascular disease.