DUBAI: The Ministry of Health and Prevention organised a workshop with representatives from the Federal Authority for Competitiveness and Statistics, the Dubai Health Authority, the Abu Dhabi Health Authority, a number of local statistical centres in the UAE and the sponsor of the survey (IMS Quintiles) as part of its preparation for the launch of the national health survey project. The national health survey aims to collect field information on the health reality in the UAE in order to update the population health database, measure health performance indicators and support planning strategies and health policies at the country level. Alia Zaid Harbi, Director Of Statistics and Research Centre, MOHAP, noted the importance of the national health survey in adopting a national statistical methodology in accordance with the highest international standards in statistical quality, in line with the ministry’s strategy in developing health information systems and implementing global standards in infrastructure management in health facilities, with the ultimate goal of achieving the objectives of the country’s National Agenda and the UAE Vision 2021 to become one of the best countries in the world.
Harbi lauded the efforts and cooperation among the committee members preparing the plan and various stages of the health survey, highlighting the importance of accomplishing the project. The survey covers many sustainable and national indicators, the most important of which are: social demographic characteristics, individual behavior and health habits, community health and risk factors, health expenditure, individual and family expenditure on health, environmental health, healthy biomarkers, and mortality. The workshop’s agenda included reviewing the basics and methodologies of the national health survey as well as the accomplished tasks and activities based on the target completion date. The first phase of the project has been completed while the second phase which focuses on planning and development are still set for completion.
