ABU DHABI, UAE — On World Health Day, the UAE celebrates a half-century of significant achievements in the health sector, which has transformed the country into a world leader and a successful model for anticipating future trends, readiness, and flexibility in responding to changes, said Abdul Rahman bin Mohammad bin Nasser Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention.
This readiness is based on a forward-looking roadmap for ensuring proactive, comprehensive, interconnected, and innovative health services supported by digital technologies and reliable big data, he stated in an interview with Al-Jundi, a journal published by the UAE Ministry of Defense.
With the support and guidance of its wise leadership, the UAE has succeeded in establishing an integrated healthcare system that applies the best international practices to improve the quality of life in the UAE, preserve gains, and sustain achievements. This is based on the “We Are the UAE 2031” strategy and the UAE Centennial 2071, Al Owais explained.
He added that these achievements in the UAE’s health sector serve as a source of inspiration for creating advanced mechanisms for anticipating the future, employing predictive data technology, and enabling future health services and smart systems as a strategic priority.
Accordingly, the minister pointed out that the UAE began developing the health system early to make it proactive, flexible, and fully prepared for any health emergency.
Additionally, the UAE allowed the private medical sector to contribute effectively within a national strategic framework and an action plan with clear goals to establish a health system based on sustainability and the integration of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence in health services. This will ensure a prosperous future for generations, in which the country will continue its march on the path of excellence and leadership, Al Owais said.
The UAE has an influential and effective international presence and continues to fulfil its obligations in supporting global humanitarian efforts and enhancing the efficiency of health systems worldwide by providing vaccinations and medical supplies to prevent future epidemics and chronic diseases, increasing the length of a healthy life.
Furthermore, the minister stressed that the UAE supports digital transformation in the healthcare sector worldwide and the use of big data and other technologies, which have become a global trend to develop a new and integrated approach to face any future challenges and ensure the health of future generations.
In 2022, the UAE ranked first in the world in 14 health indicators and first in the Arab and Gulf countries in six other indicators, according to the Prosperity Index 2021, the Global Talent Report, and the Sustainable Development Goals Index Report 2022, he pointed out.
Moreover, Al Owais emphasized that, in an unprecedented global achievement, the World Health Assembly adopted for the first time in its history, a draft resolution to enhance the quality of healthy life led by the UAE, an achievement that reflects its global position as a country with strategic importance.
“On this occasion, I am pleased to extend my thanks and appreciation to all health and technical leaders and cadres in the health sector, as well as strategic partners from government and private agencies, foremost of which is the Ministry of Defense,” the minister noted.