World Multiple Sclerosis Day unites efforts to promote early diagnosis

Abu Dhabi, May 29 / WAM / Tomorrow, the world will celebrate “World Multiple Sclerosis Day”, which falls on May 30 of each year, as a global occasion to unite efforts aimed at raising awareness of the disease and enhancing support for those living with it, in addition to emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and developing health care systems and scientific research in a way that contributes to improving the quality of life of patients and reducing the progression of the disease.

In this context, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society confirmed the continuation of its efforts aimed at enhancing community awareness of the disease and expanding the umbrella of support for those living with it, through this year’s campaign, which bears the slogan “My diagnosis with multiple sclerosis – together we explore multiple sclerosis,” and focuses on the post-diagnosis stage as a pivotal stage in the patient’s journey.

Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of the Association’s Board of Trustees, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the UAE continues to establish an advanced model in dealing with chronic and neurological diseases, based on the quality of life and health, psychological and social empowerment of those living with the disease, noting that this occasion represents an opportunity to enhance community awareness and build a more supportive and inclusive environment.

She explained that the association launched, as part of this year’s campaign, three practical guides based on real-life experiences for people living with multiple sclerosis, including a guide for talking about the diagnosis with family, friends and co-workers, a guide for caregivers, in addition to a guide dedicated to employers and human resources teams, with the aim of supporting more flexible and inclusive work environments for people living with the disease.

She added that the association launched treatment guidelines for multiple sclerosis in the UAE, which were developed by a specialized scientific team with the participation of the association’s medical advisory committee, with the aim of supporting medical practices and enhancing the quality of health care for patients, noting that these guidelines contributed to the formulation of the “Ejada” health insurance program designated for multiple sclerosis patients by the Dubai Health Authority.

She indicated the allocation of about 11 million dirhams to support studies related to innovative treatments and the clinical and genetic characteristics of the disease and its spread in the country, at a time when the association continues its efforts to enhance early detection by intensifying awareness programs, supporting the training of health personnel, and funding research that employs artificial intelligence techniques to improve the analysis of magnetic resonance images and distinguish between multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions, which contributes to raising the accuracy of diagnosis and accelerating therapeutic intervention.

Al-Kaabi stressed that the next stage will witness the continued expansion of support and awareness programs, facilitating access to supportive services and resources, in addition to completing efforts to build a national registry for multiple sclerosis, strengthening the national scientific research system, and investing in fellowship programs and specialized training to prepare national competencies that contribute to the development of health care and research related to the disease in the country.

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