Department of Health – Abu Dhabi adopts the “Population Health Model” in collaboration with Novartis

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), became the first healthcare regulator in the region and the second globally to adopt the Population Health Model (PHM). This innovative model will help with the early detection, management and comprehensive prevention programme of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

This came as a cooperation with the Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis, and in line with the department’s continued efforts in positioning the emirate as a global healthcare destination and an incubator for innovation. In addition, the PHM contributes to enhancing preventive measures against CVDs and reducing the number of CVD cases and its complications among the emirate’s residents by providing data that enables healthcare professionals to deliver the necessary recommendations and preventive programmes for patients.

PHM involves applying public health concepts to manage chronic diseases with a comprehensive data analysis approach. The model identifies methods and interventions to improve patient outcomes while controlling overall costs. Furthermore, information gathered can assist in identifying and resolving gaps in patient care. In turn, actionable treatment steps can then be developed for individual patients and specific groups.

In the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of DoH and Georg Schroeckenfuchs, President MEA and Head of Gulf & Saudi Country Group of Novartis, a Memorandum of Understanding between DoH and Novartis was signed by H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Alkaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and Mohamed Ezz Eldin, President and Head of Gulf Cluster of Novartis.

This collaboration aims to invest in research, education, digital and organisational infrastructure to tackle CVDs and develop the emirate’s PHM programme. Furthermore, it sets to leverage the latest innovations, life sciences and technologies in the healthcare sector in the emirate to ensure the health and safety of the community.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “With the guidance of our wise leadership and its directives, we continue to build strong and fruitful collaborations with partners from around the world to boost the healthcare system's efficiency and maintain the health and safety of our community. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi will continue to adopt advanced innovations and partner with relevant entities to help achieve our goal in positioning the emirate as a global healthcare hub while enhancing the future of the healthcare system.”

CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age.

Mohamed Ezz Eldin said: “Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death, hospitalisation and low quality of life among patients. Therefore, it has become a key priority for the healthcare institutes in the UAE and particularly DoH, to seek novel approaches to bend the curve of CVD events. The Population Health Management Model is a healthcare ecosystem alliance that provides a holistic approach towards transforming CVD patient management in the UAE.”

Ezz Eldin added: “DoH is set to become the second healthcare system globally after NHS to explore the population approach, reinforcing its vision to foster innovation in the region. We are proud of this initiative which is part of a comprehensive mutual cooperation to add greater value to patients in Abu Dhabi.”

CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated mortality rate of 17.9 million in 2019. CVDs are preventable; early detection and optimal management of CVD risk factors are of utmost importance in the reduction of adverse outcomes.

As a leading global medicines company, Novartis uses innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In its quest to find new medicines, it consistently ranks among the world’s top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and find innovative ways to expand access to its latest treatments. Approximately 109,000 employees from more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis offices around the world.

To find out more about Novartis, please visit: https://www.novartis.com.