In a significant move to enhance healthcare for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in the United Arab Emirates, PureHealth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The agreement, formalised at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, aims to improve awareness and encourage early diagnosis of MS while bolstering the quality of care provided to patients.
Collaboration Goals
This collaboration is set to combine PureHealth’s extensive clinical expertise with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s commitment to patient support and community education. It also aligns with PureHealth’s role as a founding member of the National MS Partnership Programme, which strives to enhance scientifically validated care and coordination for MS patients across the UAE.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a range of physical, cognitive, and mobility challenges. It typically manifests in individuals from early adulthood to mid-life. Globally, approximately 2.9 million people live with MS, and the prevalence of the disease in the UAE has seen a notable increase over the past decade, underscoring the critical need for heightened awareness and early symptom detection.
Commitment to Early Diagnosis
Leah Al-Damani, CEO of Sustainability at PureHealth, emphasised the ongoing need for increased efforts to facilitate early recognition of MS symptoms. “Our partnership reflects our commitment to integrate clinical expertise and data with comprehensive care pathways, supporting early interventions to improve long-term outcomes,” she stated. “Our goal is to contribute to a more connected and proactive healthcare system, enhancing clinical capabilities while implementing patient-centric care models.”
Implementation of Guidelines
The cooperation will focus on the implementation of the UAE’s first clinical guidelines for MS treatment, developed and launched by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The guidelines aim to enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and support of patients, facilitating early access to high-efficacy therapies based on the latest scientific evidence, while also improving insurance coverage and ensuring consistent healthcare delivery.
Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups
Attention will be given to high-risk groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and children. The initiative promotes a patient-centric approach, encouraging active participation in healthcare decisions. Additionally, it aims to strengthen local MS research and data systems, contributing insights to enrich national studies, medical records, and future publications through collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and health authorities.
Building a Collaborative Healthcare Ecosystem
Morale Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, expressed the importance of teamwork in advancing MS care. “Making tangible progress in MS care requires collective efforts rather than isolated work,” she noted. “Our partnership with PureHealth exemplifies our shared commitment to enhance the MS ecosystem in the UAE by raising awareness, promoting early intervention, and providing more integrated support for affected individuals and their families.”
Training and Outreach Initiatives
The MoU also aims to enhance the clinical capabilities of over 1,300 healthcare professionals through accredited continuing medical education programmes supervised by MS specialists, in line with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi guidelines. The initiative supports neurologists and multidisciplinary teams in improving long-term patient diagnosis and management.
Furthermore, it seeks to empower nursing staff in care coordination and patient education, broadening outreach to include patients and caregivers through dedicated community sessions. Targeted awareness initiatives, such as webinars, workshops, and digital campaigns, will serve to elevate public understanding of MS, its symptoms, and the importance of early detection.
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About PureHealth
PureHealth is recognised as the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, supported by an integrated system focused on longevity and innovative approaches to health improvement. The group encompasses over 110 hospitals, more than 316 clinics, multiple diagnostic centres, insurance solutions, pharmacies, health technologies, procurement, and investment services. By leveraging cutting-edge innovations in healthcare, PureHealth aims to transcend time boundaries and open new horizons for humanity. Through advances in longevity science, PureHealth operates under a fresh vision for the future of healthcare, emanating from the UAE and reaching global audiences.
PureHealth comprises:
- Seha – one of the UAE’s largest hospital and clinic networks.
- Seha Clinics – providing comprehensive community healthcare services.
- National Insurance Company – the leading health insurance provider in the UAE.
- The Medical Office – overseeing Sheikh Khalifa hospitals and healthcare facilities under national initiatives.
- Rafed – the largest healthcare group purchasing organisation in the UAE.
- PureLab – operating the largest network of laboratories in the region.
- One Health – a sales and support network offering comprehensive medical solutions to over 300 healthcare providers.
- The Life Corner – the first comprehensive pharmacy in Abu Dhabi serving healthcare institutions.
- Ardent Health Services – the fourth largest private healthcare group in the United States.
- Circle Health Group – the largest operator of independent hospitals in the UK.
- Hellenic Healthcare Group – the largest provider of private healthcare in Greece and Cyprus.
- Pure CS – a leading cloud and technology services firm specialised in cybersecurity and digital solutions.
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City – the largest healthcare facility in the UAE, delivering exceptional and integrated healthcare services.
For more information, please visit www.purehealth.ae.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Established in 2022 under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a non-governmental organisation based in the UAE. Its mission is to empower individuals living with multiple sclerosis to lead normal lives through awareness, assistance, and advancing global efforts towards finding a cure for MS.
The society is governed by a Board of Trustees supported by a National and International Advisory Committee, as well as a medical advisory committee, backed by a network of volunteers and MS ambassadors. This structure contributes to providing essential healthcare for individuals living with MS in accordance with the highest global quality standards and accredited medical guidelines.
The society collaborates closely with several leading national medical institutions and international partners, driven by its vision to create a world free of multiple sclerosis, establishing a reliable network of healthcare providers and relevant support organisations. It aims to elevate awareness about MS and develop an integrated and comprehensive system in the UAE to harness available potential and resources for supporting those living with the condition.
For more information about multiple sclerosis and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, please visit www.nationalmssociety.ae.
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