UAE. A new set of best practice guideline for primary health care providers was issued by the UAE Ministry of Health and Les Laboratoires Servier today to help put an end to one of the country’s biggest killers – hypertension.

High blood pressure is responsible for hundreds of deaths each year in the UAE and healthcare experts today presented the guideline on the diagnosis, treatment and management of the disease to more than 150 eminent physicians, pharmacists and nurses.

The launch was opened by Dr Muna Al Kuwari, Director of Primary Health Care, UAE Ministry of Health, and Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Chief Executive Officer for Health Policies, UAE MOH.

“The incidence and effects of hypertension in the UAE is unacceptable. To have such a highly-researched, highly-acclaimed and widely available document is a great step forward.

To all be on the same page – literally – with regards to diagnosis and management will be a great benefit to doctors and patients,” said Dr Al Kuwari. “The medical profession is continuing to make advancements in this field and we must all know what this progress is and how to make the most of it.”
 
A workshop to introduce the guideline, led by Servier’s Professor Gérard E. Plante, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Sherbrooke – Canada, explained how they would ensure the highest standards of care throughout the country.

“The launch of this guideline is a significant step and ensures that all primary health care practitioners have access to the latest global advancements in dealing with hypertension,” he said.

The workshop is part of a continued Hypertension Global Care Program that was launched two years ago, after His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, the then UAE Minister of Health and Les Laboratoires Servier signed a Memorandum of Understanding, detailing a three year strategic plan to combat hypertension in the UAE.

Professor Plante said: “The development of the Hypertension Global Care Program is proving to be a huge success and the guideline developed by the committee is part of the continued development and discussion of an illness which impacts so many adults. And with the latest guideline initiatives, we are delighted to be involved with the Ministry of Health for the launch,” he added.

The project is supported by the Ministry of Health (MoH), Dubai Heath Authority (DHA) and The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

The Committee is led by Dr Muna Al Kuwari and consists of leading physicians in their field:

Dr Aisha Mohamed Suhail, Deputy Director of PHC - Fujairah, Family Physician Specialist, MoH
Dr Buthaina Abdulla Bin Belaila, Consultant Family Medicine, Deputy of Director of PHC – Dubai Medical District, MoH
Dr Fouzia Al Ali, Consultant Family Physician, Al Refaa Health Center, MoH
Dr Kalthoom Mohamed Hassan, Specialized Health Care Section Director, MoH
Dr Madian AbdelRahman Mohamed, GP, Assistant Director of Primary Health Care, Umm Al Quwain, MoH
Dr Najla Sajwani, Consultant Family Medicine, Deputy of Director and CME Coordinator PHC, Sharjah, MoH
Dr Samia Ali Abdo, Consultant of Internal Medicine, MoH
Dr Suhair Hamad AlOubad, Family Physician Specialist, Medical Director Mamourah PHC, RAK, MoH

Facts About Hypertension

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disorder with associated diseases (type 1 and 2 diabetes, lipid abnormalities) affecting 20% of the adult aging population (over 65 years of age).

Worldwide prevalence estimates for hypertension may be close to one billion individuals and approximately seven million deaths per year may be attributed to hypertension.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported high blood pressure as the number one cause of death worldwide.

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