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Abu Dhabi: National Health Insurance Company – Daman, the leading health insurance provider in the UAE, has joined hands with NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)’s Public Health Research Center (PHRC) to collaborate on broader promotion and support of the UAE Healthy Future Study.
The UAE Healthy Future Study is a first of its kind study aimed at building a healthier future for the UAE. Investigators from NYUAD and the NYU Langone Medical Center have collaborated with local partners in Abu Dhabi to conduct this long-term study in order to understand why obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are common in the UAE. Toward this, the study is looking to recruit 20,000 UAE nationals between the ages of 18-40. To date, over 4,000 participants have signed up to take part in the study.
With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a formal framework of cooperation has been agreed upon by both parties. Daman will support the study’s recruitment drive by displaying information about the Study at its Thiqa branches and service points. Additionally, personnel from the study will be present at Daman’s premises and ActiveLife events in order to promote the study and recruit willing volunteers.
Thiqa, managed by Daman on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi, delivers healthcare services to UAE nationals in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This partnership ensures that the message of the study reaches its target audience.
Daman Chief Executive Officer Dr. Michael Bitzer, said: “Our collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi marks a step in the right direction as we look to identify effective ways of dealing with common UAE health epidemics, such as obesity. Through our extensive Thiqa network, service points and branches, we are working to recruit and provide access to UAE nationals to partake in the study. Those who agree to participate will provide valuable data that supports this significant research – crucially, they will also be part of a positive movement for the UAE, as collectively, we look to get to the root-cause and combat the UAE’s health concerns. Our work with NYU Abu Dhabi enables us to continue working towards creating healthier communities and achieve a better health outlook for the country.”
NYU Abu Dhabi Provost Fabio Piano, said: “Research is a central component of NYU Abu Dhabi’s mission, and this collaboration between Daman and our Public Health Research Center demonstrates NYUAD’s continued commitment to develop strong, meaningful connections within the local community and to help improve the overall health of the UAE.”
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About NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and science campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly-selective liberal arts, engineering and science curriculum with a world center for advanced research and scholarship enabling its students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges.
NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from 115 nations and speak over 115 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.
About National Health Insurance Company – Daman
The National Health Insurance Company – Daman is the region’s leading specialised health insurer, providing comprehensive health insurance solutions to more than 3 million members in the UAE.
Over the years, the company has been the partner of choice for a number of the country’s most prominent organisations and multinational companies in various industries including oil and gas, aerospace, energy, construction, investments and media.
Daman is a public joint-stock company that is 80% owned by the Abu Dhabi Government with the remaining 20% owned by Munich Re. The company is backed by the reliable support of the Abu Dhabi Government and its strategic partner, Munich Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurers, plays an important role as both reinsurer and a valuable source for knowledge transfer.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi and established in 2006, Daman offers a range of health insurance plans for both individuals and organisations and exclusively manages the Government’s health programme – Thiqa – for UAE Nationals and Abu Dhabi Basic Plan – for low income expatriates. Members enjoy access to the largest healthcare providers’ network in the UAE and an extensive international network of over 45 countries.
Daman, a pioneer in health care insurance, drives innovation through a combination of state-of-the-art technology and healthcare-related expertise offered by a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce. Members benefit from added value through unique offerings such as the disease and case management programmes as part of the acclaimed Health Support services. Daman also operates a 24/7 customer call centre and has a medical services authorisation team in direct contact with Daman’s network of healthcare providers. It also provides a diverse range of online services that are unmatched in the UAE.
Daman has set high standards in the health insurance industry and has been awarded a number of internationally recognised awards and quality-focused certifications in a relatively short span of time. The company is certified ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 22301 for Business Continuity Management System.
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Vic Roth
Four Communications
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