'Declaration of Dubai on Public Health in the Arab World' aims to raise capacity and networking between countries on public health issues.

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, May 20, 2013: A significant development in the field of healthcare was the recent 'Declaration of Dubai on Public Health in the Arab World,' that was signed during the 1^st Arab Conference of Public Health that recently took place in Dubai.  In line with the declaration, healthcare professionals are now discussing ways to begin implementing the steps laid down in the declaration.

The Declaration of Dubai on Public Health in the Arab World is in line with the belief that public health is a key component of the health system, it should receive priority and that a robust public health system minimizes the risk of communicable and non-communicable diseases and improves productivity of the population.

The declaration was signed by His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority during the 1^st Arab World Conference on Public Health.

Al Maidoor said: "The more countries spend wisely on public health, the less likely will be the occurrence of preventable illnesses and impaired health. The Declaration of Dubai on Public Health in Arab Countries was adopted by over 400 delegates and participants from 35 Arab and non-Arab countries. This is a significant step in the move to ensure a strong public health system that helps promote better health for our communities." He further said that the scope of public health services is quite complex and multi-sectoral; it therefore needs strong and efficient networking within and outside its national boundaries.

The declaration was formulated by key public health experts from the Dubai Health Authority, Executive board of Health Ministers' Council for Cooperation Council States, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Association of Schools of Public Health in the European region, Dubai Municipality, American University- Beirut, Supreme Council of Health-Qatar, UAE Ministry of Health, Bahrain Ministry of Health, and World Federation of Public Health Association to name a few.

Dr Muhammad Wasif Alam, Director of Public Health and Safety Department of the DHA said: "The next step is the adoption of the action points within the declaration. It is hoped that it will be implemented in all 22 countries of the Arab World, including all the GCC states through Ministries of Health and related Government bodies and we are presently working in this direction."

"Public health is a key component to any health system - a majority of the points in the declaration pertain to building and strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals and the health sector -however, an important component of the declaration is to facilitate access to public health services and to promote health awareness so that people can take charge of their own health and be responsible towards making choices that promote good health. We are over the next few months going to pay attention to all three crucial aspects of the declaration - healthcare system, networking and the community, so that we can collectively improve the health status of individuals, families and communities across the Arab countries."

Dubai declaration

1- Encourage the establishment of a national body/committee for public health in all Arab countries that consequently leads to the establishment of an Arab Public Health Association in future.

2- Encourage Public Health education and training, leading to higher degrees in Public Health and building their capacity and translating knowledge of public health into actions.

3- Work towards establishing governmental mechanisms for dialogues on public health issues and building constructive partnership with related bodies.

4- Give due attention to social determinants of health and its importance in public health.

5- Ensure equitable access to effective health systems including public health services.

6- Enhance productive communication and collaboration with health professionals from other fields and specialties.

7- Empower people and the community to take responsibility of their own health and be partners to move the public health agenda forward.

8- Encourage and sustain the national public health leadership development programs in the Arab countries.

9- Develop specific public health policies, prioritize and implement them.

10- Develop public health laws and regulations.

© Press Release 2013