Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has launched a National Nutrition Strategy 2022-2030 to establish sustainable nutrition systems, provide safe and supportive nutrition environments for all ages, and strengthen food governance.
The strategy was launched at an event hosted by the ministry at the Etihad Museum. Salem Al Darmaki, Advisor to the Minister of Health and Prevention, and Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of Health Promotion Department at MoHAP, were present.
Also present were representatives of 22 governmental and private entities, including strategic partners from various sectors, such as health, education, municipalities, trade, industry, agriculture, economy and food industry.
The strategy has five goals: to develop sustainable and flexible food systems for healthy diets, to provide health systems and comprehensive coverage of basic nutrition measures, to provide social protection and nutrition education, to provide safe and supportive environments for nutrition at all ages, and following an advanced diet. strategy.
Participatory approach
Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, highlighted that the Strategy establishes a comprehensive roadmap for the development of a healthy food system based on sustainable practices and a participatory approach that integrates a wide range of strategic partners. “We look forward to achieving healthy nutrition goals for all sectors of society through this plan while providing top quality healthcare services,” he said.
Al Owais added that the ministry’s collaboration with many stakeholders in putting the strategy into practice will help achieve the long-term goals of creating a sustainable health system and improving the nutritional status of the population. society, in a way that ensures the health and well-being of individuals and families and enhances the sustainable development of our society as a whole.
“MoHAP is committed to implementing the strategy in collaboration with other stakeholders, using clear coordination channels and basing all policies on the ‘One Health’ concept. We will make every effort to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and improve the results of national health indicators. Driven by the National Wellness Strategy and the “We the UAE 2031” strategy, the strategy would help improve data according to specific criteria to track progress and assess results. »
Developing food health
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Deputy Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, pointed out that the strategy was designed to complement other strategies launched by the UAE to improve the nutritional situation, including the national security strategy. Food Goals 2051, the National Wellness Strategy 2031, the Global Goals for Non-Communicable Diseases 2025, the Global Nutrition Goals 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, in addition to the National Obesity Framework in the Emirates Arab States and national guidelines for preconception care.
“Implementation of this strategy will certainly lead to enhanced health and well-being of the people of the UAE and future generations of all ages,” Al Rand said.
This strategy and its action plan provide a framework for national efforts and will build on the progress made by the previous strategy 2017-2021. The new strategy will not only improve the nutritional status of the UAE, but also help establish healthy and supportive food environments and promote healthy food choices based on proven solutions, the Deputy Undersecretary said.
universal access
Al Darmaki stressed that the overall objective is to provide universal access to healthy and sustainable food and to develop effective nutritional actions to improve nutrition for all age groups, including mothers, infants, children , adolescents, adults and the elderly. This is in addition to preventing all forms of malnutrition and addressing diet-related risk factors.
Building on progress
At the same time, Nouf Khamis Al Ali stressed that the strategy will build on the progress made by previous strategies, programs and other complementary policies by adopting data-based interventions and programs to create an enabling environment for good nutrition and develop implementation solutions for optimal infant and infant development. children’s nutrition.
The recently launched strategy will also help create healthier school environments and coordinate efforts to encourage healthy eating habits, supporting the federal strategy to reduce childhood obesity and improve maternal and child health, as well as the guidelines national standards for preconception care, Al Ali noted. .
WHO hails UAE strategy
Dr. Ayoub Al Jawaldeh, Regional Nutrition Advisor of the World Health Organization (WHO), hailed the ministry’s strategy which he says will improve the nutritional status of the people of the UAE.
“The launch of this strategy reflects the commitment of health authorities and stakeholders in the UAE to address nutrition challenges and achieve the World Health Assembly goals to reduce nutrition and non-communicable diseases and the sustainable development goals. WHO appreciates the high level of commitment of MoHAP in implementing the national action plan in improving health and food systems in coordination with key stakeholders,” he said.