New report highlights UAE’s leadership and collaborative
roadmap for transforming
Alzheimer's disease care
(ABU DHABI) - A new
report drafted by The
Economist Impact and
commissioned by Eli Lilly and Company
(NYSE: LLY), a global leader
in Alzheimer’s Disease
research and innovation,
underscores the UAE’s
efforts in Alzheimer’s
disease management and
outlines next steps to
reinforce its position in
global healthcare.
Globally, more than 55
million people live with
dementia, with Alzheimer’s
Disease being the most
common form. The report
outlines proactive and
progressive measures taken
by the UAE to address the
growing burden of
Alzheimer’s Disease amid
increasing life expectancies
and an aging population.
These include awareness
efforts by the UAE’s
Ministry of Health and
Prevention (MoHAP) and
charitable organizations
like 4-get-me-not, as well
as Sharjah’s recognition by
the WHO as the first Arab
Age-Friendly City in the
Middle East in 2015, serving
as a model for other cities
on best practices in healthy
aging.
To further
reinforce the UAE’s position
as a leader in healthcare
infrastructure and policy,
and enhance health outcomes
for people with Alzheimer's
Disease, the report calls
for investment in three
focus areas. First, a
dedicated policy or national
plan for Alzheimer’s
disease, involving
multidisciplinary
stakeholders across
government, industry,
academia, as well as
patients and caregivers,
will help guide a
coordinated and
evidence-based response.
Furthermore, training and
upskilling healthcare
professionals, particularly
primary care providers who
are often the first point of
contact for people with
Alzheimer's Disease, will
help create a clearer
pathway for patients,
enabling earlier diagnosis
and interventions. Finally,
further investment in public
education can address stigma
and misconceptions and
ensure that people are aware
of the early signs and know
where and how they can seek
support.
“Breakthroughs in science
are transforming how we
detect and treat Alzheimer’s
Disease, enabling more
efficient care. However,
realizing the full impact of
these advancements depends
on strategic collaboration
to ensure they reach
patients effectively,” said
Roberta Marinelli, Eli Lilly
President and General
Manager for the Middle East
and Turkiye. “Lilly’s 35
years of pioneering research
in Alzheimer’s Disease has
taught us one lesson:
progress happens faster when
we act together. By
partnering with the UAE’s
healthcare community, we are
determined to set benchmarks
that not only transform care
locally but also shape
global practice.”
The
report titled ‘Changing
the Narrative: Alzheimer’s
Disease in the UAE’ was
launched at the 5th Abu
Dhabi Brain Conference,
where international leaders
in neuroscience gathered to
drive innovation in brain
health. The focus on
Alzheimer’s Disease reflects
a strategic push for policy
change, innovation, and
integrated care models, with
the report serving as a
platform to advance this
dialogue. The report
provides a clear,
evidence-based roadmap for
the UAE to strengthen its
leadership in healthcare and
redefine how nations respond
to Alzheimer’s Disease.
