Population screening and associated interventions to counter NCD in Abu Dhabi: the Weqaya programme
Diana Gosálvez Prados
— 27/09/2012
Abu Dhabi is tackling the rise in NCD through a programme called “Weqaya” (meaning “protection” in Arabic), which integrates two aspects: screening of the entire adult Emirati population for risk of CVD, and a range of targeted interventions. The United Arab Emirates has high levels of all NCD, and the second highest rate of diabetes in the world.
- Prevención
- Inversion en programas de prevencion , Crea entornos saludables , Promueve salud y bienestar en los primeros años de vida y en las escuelas , Promueve niveles adecuados de entendimiento por parte de la comunidad sobre el valor de la prevención
- Detección
- Incorpora evidencia nueva para la detección temprana, incluyendo guías de practicas efectivas , Crea registros y sistemas de contacto de pacientes , Promueve la intervención temprana mediante medidas de atención sanitaria primaria
- Tratamiento
- Mejora el acceso a los servicios de salud a través de todo el espectro, desde la prevención hasta el tratamiento , Asegura la calidad óptima de los servicios sanitarios , Facilita la gestión por procesos , Enfatiza los cuidados de enfermos pluri-patológicos y frágiles , Fomenta sistemas electrónicos de información sanitaria para mejorar la calidad de la atención
The programme began in 2008, and so far 94% of the adult population (18 and over) have been
screened. A second round of screening began in August 2011.
The first round of screening showed that more than two-thirds of adults were overweight or
obese, 44% were either diabetic or pre-diabetic, and almost half had raised cholesterol. Almost
three-quarters (71%) had at least one risk factor for CVD.
The interventions to reduce these high levels of risk come from both the health and the nonhealth
sectors. Those at the highest level of risk are offered clinical care.
All those screened are given a confidential health report, available if desired through a secure
Web account, with their risks colour-coded together with bespoke recommendations for
actions to reduce the risk. Individual data remain secure and confidential, but group data will be
packaged up for employers and municipalities, to help them in devising programmes to reduce
tobacco use, encourage healthier diets and increase physical activity.
1/01/2008
31/08/2011
