MoHAP begins fieldwork for National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025

MoHAP Initiates National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024–2025

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has embarked on a pivotal initiative with the commencement of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024–2025 in collaboration with key stakeholders across the UAE. This comprehensive survey represents a concerted effort to gather accurate and reliable data concerning the health and nutrition landscape of the nation.

At its core, the survey aims to update and enrich the existing health and nutrition database of the UAE population. By employing a meticulously planned methodology, MoHAP intends to collect field data that serves as critical health performance indicators. These insights are essential not only for shaping effective policies and strategies but also for measuring health outcomes and planning robust health initiatives at the state level, aligning with the UAE’s strategic vision for 2031.

Since its announcement during a significant press conference in May, MoHAP has proactively engaged the public through a comprehensive awareness campaign spanning various media channels. Utilizing its official website and prominent social media platforms, MoHAP has disseminated information about the survey’s purpose, methodologies, and expected outcomes. Additionally, a dedicated hotline (80011111) has been established to provide assistance, clarify inquiries, and guide participants through the survey process, ensuring transparency and accessibility.

Ensuring the credibility and legitimacy of the survey, MoHAP emphasizes the identification of National Health and Nutrition Survey teams through distinctive uniforms featuring the Ministry of Health and Prevention logo and the survey campaign emblem. Furthermore, the credentials and identities of survey team members can be verified using their official ID cards, providing further assurance to the public regarding the authenticity of the surveyors.

MoHAP calls upon selected citizens and resident families included in the survey sample to actively cooperate with the field teams. These teams comprise licensed researchers and statisticians accredited by competent authorities, operating under the oversight of a higher committee that includes representatives from various stakeholders and governmental bodies.

The successful execution of the survey is contingent upon the full cooperation of all stakeholders involved, supported by collaborative efforts from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and other relevant government entities. Participants’ engagement in completing electronic questionnaires will be crucial in ensuring comprehensive data coverage and accuracy, pivotal for informed decision-making in healthcare policy and planning.

Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at MoHAP, underscores the meticulous planning and coordinated efforts involved in deploying survey teams across diverse geographical regions in coordination with local authorities. He emphasizes the survey’s pivotal role in establishing a robust foundation for enhancing healthcare quality and improving public health outcomes nationwide.

“This survey represents a critical strategic step towards realizing our vision of building a world-class health system,” asserts Al Rand. “By gathering comprehensive and current data, we will formulate innovative health policies and programs tailored to the diverse needs of our population, thereby advancing the UAE’s sustainable development goals and reinforcing our commitment to public health excellence.”

Alia Zaid Harbi, Director of the Statistics and Research Center at MoHAP, underscores the rigorous methodology employed in data collection, adhering to the highest international standards in survey research. She details the survey’s approach, which includes personal interviews and electronic questionnaires endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national health authorities. These questionnaires are available in multiple languages—Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu—ensuring inclusivity and comprehensive data collection across diverse societal segments.

Dr. Harbi further elaborates on the extensive scope of the survey, encompassing vital health and nutrition indicators such as socio-economic factors, household health expenditures, prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, biophysical measurements, access to healthcare services, micronutrient deficiencies, dietary patterns, child growth metrics, and maternal health outcomes. She underscores MoHAP’s unwavering commitment to data confidentiality, ensuring that all information gathered is used solely for statistical analysis and research purposes, safeguarding participant privacy and trust.

Calling upon the collaboration and support of all citizens and residents included in the survey sample, Dr. Harbi emphasizes their crucial role in contributing to the shaping of the UAE’s healthcare future. Their participation will directly inform and guide policy-makers in implementing targeted interventions and initiatives that address the health and nutritional needs of the UAE’s diverse population effectively.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025 represents a significant undertaking, targeting a comprehensive sample size that includes 10,000 families surveyed for health-related aspects and another 10,000 for nutritional insights. This inclusive approach encompasses 40% Emirati citizens, 60% expatriates, and 2,000 workers across various age groups, spanning from the elderly to adults, females aged 15 to 49, pregnant women, and children from infancy to 17 years old. By comprehensively assessing and addressing the health and nutritional challenges facing the UAE population, MoHAP aims to lay the groundwork for a healthier and more resilient nation, aligned with global health standards and sustainable development goals.