Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and AstraZeneca FZ LLC have formalized a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening public health initiatives and improving outcomes for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Abu Dhabi.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on May 13, 2025, by Dr. Omniyat Al Hajeri, Executive Director of Community Health sector at ADPHC, and Sameh El Fangary, Cluster President GCC at AstraZeneca, during the 25th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Strategic Vision for COPD Management
The partnership establishes a comprehensive framework for addressing the growing burden of COPD in the emirate through coordinated efforts centered on disease awareness, prevention, and best practice sharing.
"This partnership reflects our steadfast commitment to improving population health in Abu Dhabi through proactive and innovative approaches," said Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, Director General of ADPHC. "By partnering with AstraZeneca, we aim to deliver comprehensive solutions that raise public awareness, promote early screening, and enable best-in-class care for COPD patients."
The two-year agreement builds upon recommendations from the Abu Dhabi Public Health System Sustainability and Resilience (PHSSR) report, which emphasizes the need for early screening and legislative support to combat chronic diseases.
Implementation Strategy and Governance
A joint task force comprising representatives from both ADPHC and AstraZeneca will oversee the project's execution. This governance body will be responsible for aligning strategic priorities, evaluating feasibility, and tracking progress of initiatives under the MoU.
Sameh El Fangary from AstraZeneca highlighted the significance of the collaboration: "Our most recent collaboration with ADPHC is a significant milestone in advancing public health and addressing the rising burden of chronic respiratory diseases in the UAE. Through this MoU, we are proud to support the UAE's healthcare priorities by sharing global best practices, driving education, and enabling early diagnosis and treatment pathways."
All agreed-upon projects will undergo further detailed documentation, with implementation proceeding upon mutual approval from leadership of both organizations.
Broader Public Health Context
This partnership comes at a critical time as ADPHC continues to build on its commitment to address non-communicable diseases, including respiratory illnesses. The center recently launched the Abu Dhabi Public Health Sustainability and Resilience report, which provides a strategic framework for combating chronic diseases.
AstraZeneca brings substantial expertise to the collaboration as a global leader in addressing non-communicable diseases, particularly in respiratory conditions such as COPD. The company's experience in oncology, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases will provide valuable insights for the partnership.
Expanding Health Partnerships
The ADPHC has been actively forming strategic partnerships to address various public health challenges. In a parallel development, the center also signed an MoU with Novartis Middle East FZE on the same day to focus on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease in Abu Dhabi.
These partnerships demonstrate Abu Dhabi's comprehensive approach to tackling non-communicable diseases through evidence-based and collaborative strategies, with the ultimate goal of improving population health outcomes and quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.
