UAE Launch of New Education Program Designed For Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

UAE, February 25, 2017 - Physicians and hospital systems in United Arab Emirates (UAE) now have access to an innovative program that leverages the latest science and technology to provide education, resources and practical tools needed to prevent cardiovascular diseases in individuals at risk throughout the country. The program supports the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda that emphasizes the importance of preventive medicine and seeks to reduce lifestyle related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases to ensure a longer, healthy life for all. 

The American College of Cardiology (ACC), working with Emirates Cardiac Society, is launching a series of forums and webinars to kick off the cardiovascular disease prevention educational program in the UAE. These forums will focus on a number of topics including cardiovascular disease risk factor management and treatment guidelines. The ACC will also be designing social media materials on the latest science and developments surrounding cardiovascular disease prevention, to reinforce the education delivered in the webinars. 

“As René Dubos famously stated, we need to ‘think globally, act locally.’ To be effective in changing the culture around treating and preventing heart disease, you have to reach clinicians where they live and practice and beyond a single intervention,” said Daniel José Piñeiro, MD, FACC, Chair, American College of Cardiology Assembly of International Governors. “We are committed to working with our colleagues in the UAE to implement this program in a way that achieves maximum impact and furthers the College’s mission to prevent cardiovascular disease and improve patient care on a global scale.”

“As part of the UAE’s 2021 Vision set out by the UAE Government to rank among the best countries in the world for healthcare, one key objective that has been introduced is the reduction in CV deaths by 2021. The Emirates Cardiac Society strives to improve the cardiovascular health of patients in the UAE through education, research and quality patient care. We are pleased to partner with the ACC to bring the latest scientific education to healthcare professionals in the UAE that will ultimately help patients live a healthier, happier life,” concluded Dr. Abdullah Shehab, President, Emirates Cardiac Society. 

The program is part of a larger ACC cardiovascular disease prevention program designed to reach thousands of doctors in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Argentina, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and China. Throughout the program, the ACC is partnering with its extensive network of international chapters and working with local cardiology societies to customize the education in a way that meets the unique needs of physicians, patient communities and health care systems in these countries. The program is supported by Pfizer.

“There is a need to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the UAE. We are confident that this collaborative effort between Pfizer, Emirates Cardiac Society and the American College of Cardiology to address primary prevention is an important step to improve the health and well-being of individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease in the UAE,” said Sameh Anis, M.D., Medical Director, Gulf and Levant countries, Pfizer. 

“The global partnership between Pfizer and the ACC to address cardiovascular educational needs underscores our commitment to decrease the global burden of this disease,” said Salomon Azoulay, M.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer Essential Health. “We are excited to bring our program to United Arab Emirates as part of our efforts to improve cardiovascular patient outcomes globally.”