What the UAE’s new draft policy would mean for women’s health

The new policy will be built on core values ​​such as support for leadership, governance, gender equality in health, a holistic approach to the health life cycle and dedication to quality and inclusion in services women’s health. Furthermore, it emphasizes the integration of women’s health in all policy areas and the principle of shared responsibility.

Abdul Rahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), said that the UAE prioritizes promoting healthcare standards and achieving sustainable development in the health sector, adding that the health of women is not only an integral part of this vision, but a testament to our nation’s commitment to its people.

Additionally, in conjunction with the Emirati Women’s Day celebrations in the country on Monday, the Ministry organized a workshop to develop a unified national framework to consolidate efforts across sectors, improve women’s health and continue to improve care services both preventive and curative medicine for women throughout their lives. .

The workshop was attended by representatives of health authorities, numerous officials, experts in public health and health education, and partners from various sectors dedicated to promoting women’s health.

The workshop included an assessment of the current state of women’s health services, along with mechanisms for their strategic development, while analyzing local and global statistics. Key discussions revolved around topics such as strengthening maternal and reproductive health, combating chronic diseases prevalent among women, supporting mental health, caring for older women, and emphasizing health education and awareness initiatives designed for women of various age groups in the UAE.

During the workshop, Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Deputy Undersecretary of the Public Health Sector, praised the collaborative efforts between MoHAP and all stakeholders in shaping the national policy to promote women’s health. He emphasized that women have a unique status in the UAE and cited the strong support of the nation’s visionary leadership. This support has equipped women with the necessary tools to play fundamental roles in social contributions, particularly within the health sector, making them integral pillars of the health system.

Dr. Lubna Al Shaali, Director of the Department of Public Health Policy, said that work is underway to draft a draft national policy to strengthen women’s health in collaboration with stakeholders.

This draft will present the multi-faceted vision, values ​​and objectives of the policy. It is being designed to align with UAE government directives and resonate with global best practices.