Abu Dhabi to host global consultation on comprehensive surveillance of respiratory viruses

The event will bring together over 100 participants, including representatives from the Global disease prevention and diagnostic laboratories in 60 countries and international experts.

The objective is to develop and implement a global approach to boost preparedness for influenza and other priority respiratory diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential.

In collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), and with support from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), this initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi's healthcare sector's strategy aiming to enhance surveillance systems and their readiness for dealing with emerging respiratory diseases.

The continuous improvement in dealing with such diseases is crucial, given that influenza is a prevalent respiratory ailment posing a significant challenge to community health, with impacts spanning across various sectors.

The event will also enable the utilisation of global experiences and expertise in public health, fostering international collaboration to build networks dedicated to combating infectious diseases. It aims to discover the latest strategies for preventing the spread of influenza.

Furthermore, its outcomes will contribute to updating surveillance practices and developing the integrated Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), thereby enhancing the capacity to address global health challenges and strengthen mechanisms for GISRS to coordinate with non-sentinel surveillance and response systems for early detection, monitoring activity and informed use of public health measures in a future pandemic or epidemic.

In a statement by Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), said, "This unique event aims to achieve a common understanding of global health challenges and exchange experiences in the context of preventing the spread of influenza.

Discussions focused on enhancing international collaboration against infectious diseases, encouraging the development of new strategies to prevent the spread of influenza and other respiratory viruses, and emphasising research and development to contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi's ability to provide advanced solutions to public health challenges and elevate its position as a key player in medicine and scientific research."

Dr Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, emphasised the importance of hosting such an event to enhance globally integrated surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses and boost health systems' readiness to deal with them.

Dr Al Rand stressed that this session comes in line with the health sector's ongoing efforts to prioritise prevention and safeguard public health, recognising it as a national imperative to improve the quality of life and well-being.

Dr Al Rand highlighted that the seminar plays a crucial role in bolstering collective efforts to implement the National Communicable Diseases Prevention Policy, which serves as a multi-sectoral national framework aimed at combating communicable diseases and mitigating their impact on individuals and society.

It also ensures a more effective and efficient utilisation of national resources, thereby contributing to the development of the health system's response to respiratory diseases and strengthening potent surveillance mechanisms.

The presence of the United Arab Emirates in the global health sector highlights its strong commitment to promoting healthcare and community safety. Building international cooperation networks focused on combating endemic diseases enhances the UAE's role as a key player in this field.

WHO's Dr Wenqing Zhang, head of the Global Influenza Programme, said "After more than 70 years, GISRS now encompasses over 160 institutions in 129 WHO Member States, including the United Arab Emirates. During this meeting, we will look at ways to further strengthen GISRS in addressing the global surveillance needs for influenza, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, RSV and other respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential. We thank the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre for hosting this successful and meaningful event in the long run of GISRS, and look forward to continued collaboration in future."(ANI/WAM)