Department Of Health Abu Dhabi Gathers 13 Government Entities To Discuss Obesity

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 24th Jun, 2018) The Department of Health Abu Dhabi, DoH, gathered 13 governmental entities at the Obesity Creative Lab to discuss problems with obesity in the emirate and work to ensure healthier lives for the next generation.

According to statistics, one in three children or adolescents is overweight or obese in the UAE.

Organised by the DoH, in partnership with the Yas Conference Centre and VPS Healthcare, the health sponsor of this event, the Obesity Creative Lab aimed at drawing a roadmap to tackle obesity through clearly defined projects assigned for each attending entity, which included the Ministry of Education; Department of education and Knowledge; Department of Transport - Abu Dhabi; Department of Economic Development; Department of Community Development; Abu Dhabi Health Services; Co. – SEHA; National Health Insurance Company – Daman; Abu Dhabi Media; Family Development Foundation; Abu Dhabi food Control Authority; Abu Dhabi sports Council; Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council; and Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, in addition to healthcare representatives from the private sector Regarding the discussions on obesity, Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed, Chairman of the DoH, said, "We, at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, are aware that health is the community’s most precious wealth and the fuel of life that allows the public to contribute to the UAE’s sustainable development goals.

Thus, we intensify our efforts to create a healthy generation that is empowered to develop lifelong healthy habits of eating healthy and engaging in regular physical activities towards achieving our vision for a healthier Abu Dhabi."

The Obesity Creative Lab will gather 13 government entities to come up with ideas and develop plans and initiatives to tackle obesity in a six-month timeframe.

Regarding the meeting, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare, said, "Given the high prevalence of obesity in the UAE, it is pivotal for the public and private sector to collaborate more and raise awareness about this condition. We need to come up with creative initiatives to ensure the UAE population is made aware of the benefits of practicing and adopting healthy living habits."

Mohamed Hamad Al Hameli, Under-Secretary of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, added, "The Obesity Creative Lab demonstrates a major step towards real, tangible results in the fight against obesity in Abu Dhabi, and its outcomes link directly to the strategic health objectives of the Abu Dhabi government."