The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bayer Middle East to launch a new educational initiative "STEPS" (Development and Training for Excellence in Clinical Pharmacy Systems).

The new initiative aims to support the local health authorities by developing the capabilities of the various components of the medical system, such as regulators, shareholders, suppliers, and pharmacists, through the provision of eBooks and training modules on health economics with the aim of educating the medical community on best healthcare practices.

The launch of the STEPS programme aims to enhance the capabilities of all parties to the health economics system in the UAE, enabling them to provide better service to patients and deal with service providers.

The programme also supports health authorities in decision-making and embracing the health technology assessment process.

The MoU was signed at the German Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai in the presence of Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Health Regulation Sector, MoHAP, Ernst Peter Fischer, Ambassador of Germany to UAE, representatives of a number of sectors of the Ministry, and senior Bayer officials.

Attending also were Professor Zoltan Kalu, Professor of Health Economics at the Center for Health Technology Assessment at Semmelweis University and President of the Sirion Research Institute, and a number of leaders in the medical sector and health authorities.

"Such partnerships contribute to enhancing the UAE's position in the health care sector, by expanding the provision of health care services and providing comprehensive and innovative health services," said Dr. Amin Al Amiri. "The UAE is keen to advance the health sector through these partnerships with various international organisations, which are supported by cooperation agreements or memoranda of understanding.

Al Amiri mentioned that the ministry of health is eager to forge further partnerships, believing in the vital role of such agreements in achieving the principles of transparency, productivity, excellence, and leadership.

"We have a strategic approach to knowledge management and capacity building. This approach is carried out to serve several specific goals, such as enhancing knowledge, talents, skills, capabilities, experience, and training, among individuals in the health sector," added Al Amiri, pointing out that the country's health sector witnessed remarkable developments in digital transformation during the past period.

The initiative is an affirmation of the ministry's relentless efforts to consolidate the principles and concepts of innovation practices, in accordance with the best international standards, at all strategic, organisational and operational levels, in order to achieve a paradigm shift in health care services.

"We are pleased to be part of the continuing education initiatives supported by the ministry of health, as part of its efforts to develop healthcare practices in the UAE. We hope that this programme will contribute to supporting workers in the medical system, by providing resources and ways to help them make informed decisions that support quality of life. We believe that we can achieve our vision "Science for a Better Life" by supporting our communities and providing the right educational tools and materials," said Henrik Wolff, Head of Pharmaceuticals Division, Bayer Middle East.

"We are happy for the launch of our programme in partnership with the ministry of health. Through this integrated educational platform, we strive to offer a new approach to learning and capacity building in the field of health economics, making way for a new assessment method for health technology in the region," said Mohamed Abdel-Baqi, Head of Access to New Markets in the Gulf Countries.

"We are proud to collaborate with the health ministry to support the healthcare community, which is part of our commitment to support the sustainable development process and make a positive impact in the region," he added.