In a major step to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Novartis Middle East FZE to roll out awareness and prevention initiatives across the emirate. The collaboration focuses on chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, key health challenges in the region.

The agreement was formalized on May 13, 2025, during the 25th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Representing ADPHC, Director General Dr. Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi signed the MoU alongside Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of GCC at Novartis.

“This MoU is a vital step in our journey to strengthen public health systems and reduce the impact of non-communicable diseases in Abu Dhabi,” said Dr. Alsuwaidi. “We aim to deliver long-term, sustainable health outcomes for our population through strategic collaborations.”

Mohamed Ezz Eldin echoed the importance of the partnership, stating: “We are proud to partner with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in a mission that aligns with our commitment to advancing patient care. Through awareness, early detection, and proactive disease management, we believe we can make a measurable impact on people’s lives.”

Under the two-year agreement, the two entities will jointly develop and run health awareness campaigns using both digital and traditional media. These efforts aim to educate the public on risk factors, early symptoms, and the importance of regular health screenings.

The collaboration is anchored on three main pillars:

• Disease Awareness: Launching co-branded campaigns to raise awareness of key non-communicable diseases, encouraging healthier choices and routine testing.
• Disease Prevention: Implementing initiatives for early identification of at-risk populations through targeted screenings and preventive strategies.
• Best Practice Sharing: Creating a platform to exchange global best practices in screening and disease management, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency.

To ensure progress, a joint taskforce will be formed with representatives from both ADPHC and Novartis. The taskforce will oversee implementation, track milestones, and evaluate results through key performance indicators (KPIs), reviewed every six months.

This public-private partnership signals Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes through collaborative innovation and aligns with the emirate’s broader strategy to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.