Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has entered into a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca, a prominent multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, to advance early detection initiatives for lung cancer throughout the nation. This collaboration aims to leverage the latest global technologies and methodologies to improve lung cancer detection.
According to Emirates News Agency, a key component of this agreement involves the launch of a digital lung health assessment platform designed to target high-risk demographics, particularly individuals aged 50 and older who are current or former smokers. Additionally, the Ministry is developing a national guide for early lung cancer detection in collaboration with the National Committee for the Prevention and Control of Cancer. This initiative aligns with the Ministry’s broader objectives of promoting the prevention of non-communicable diseases and establishing a sustainable health infrastructure within the country.
The agreement outline
s the creation of an integrated system for early lung cancer detection employing artificial intelligence. This will be complemented by training medical staff on international best practices and implementing innovative awareness programs aimed at high-risk groups. The agreement also focuses on updating initiatives to decrease the incidence of lung cancer. A workshop will be organized for local and international experts to explore the latest detection methods, discuss the impact of lung cancer on health systems in the GCC, and share experiences of patients who benefited from early detection.
Coinciding with the global Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the agreement highlights the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing national health indicators. It positions the UAE as a leader in adopting innovative health solutions and supports the World Health Organization’s goal of reducing cancer mortality by 30% by 2030. In this regard, the Ministry, in collaboration with AstraZeneca and the Emirates Oncology Society, conducted a
series of specialized events over six days in Dubai. These events aimed to raise community awareness about the importance of early lung cancer detection, educate attendees on the symptoms of the disease, and encourage regular screenings through risk assessment questionnaires, guiding participants to health facilities for early detection.
Furthermore, workshops were conducted featuring both local and international experts, highlighting the latest technological innovations and artificial intelligence techniques in diagnosing and treating lung cancer. Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, emphasized the strategic partnership with AstraZeneca as a means to advance lung cancer early detection programs through artificial intelligence. He noted this effort is part of an ongoing initiative to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to health challenges, driven by the leadership’s vision to build an integrated health system that ensures a healthy and fu
lfilling life for all members of society.
Dr. Al Rand added that the Ministry will continue to organize specialized workshops to train medical staff in both government and private health facilities on the latest international protocols for early lung cancer detection. He remarked that the UAE maintains cancer rates below the global average. According to WHO, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with smoking responsible for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases. Primary prevention, including tobacco control measures and reducing exposure to environmental risk factors, can significantly reduce lung cancer rates and save lives.