National health survey will help meet targets

The UAE has set itself a challenging, and progressive, health goal for its National Health Agenda 2021, to meet the health markers as set by the World Health Organisation, commented a UAE daily.

"As such, its decision to undertake a comprehensive six-month survey of Emirati and expatriate families will provide for an invaluable database for policy formulation," said Gulf News in an editorial on Sunday.

To be gleaned from different age groups i.e., children below the age of five, adults above the age of 18, married women and elderly above the age of 60, and three members from each of the 10,000 families who will undergo a battery of tests and detailed interviews, the metadata will shape a public health framework to lead to better outcomes in health management.

By the end of the second quarter of 2018, when the six-month survey will have concluded, the UAE will have a very good idea of where it stands vis-a-vis its health goals in context of the National Health Agenda 2021 and Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The significant aspect of such a survey is that it will endow a predictive, and proactive, rather than a reactive approach to policy making.

The pursuit of a world-class healthcare system, which UAE has committed itself to, derives its impetus from a thorough grasp of factors that impact society: non-communicable diseases, patterns of physical exercise, nutrition, community health risk factors, family spending on health, environmental health and indicators of vital personal health signs.

This wealth of information will help UAE plan towards reducing disease incidence and better resource allocation, the crucial determinants of success.

"Endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the survey is primed to be a game changer for the UAE in meeting its health objectives," concluded the Dubai-based daily.