Abu Dhabi, UAE (November 9 2024)- The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) announced the inauguration of its UAE office in Abu Dhabi, today, a development set to solidify its presence in the UAE and to strengthen its regional strategic network of partners and collaborators. EMPHNET’s presence in the United Arab Emirates stands as a testimony to its strong belief in the pioneering role that the latter plays in the regional and global development of robust health systems, learning technologies, and its position as a center for global events.  

Established in the year 2009. EMPHNET is a not for profit organization that works towards enhancing public health practice, and building health workforce capacities in the areas of; field epidemiology, public health preparedness, and emergency response. The organization currently works across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), North Africa, and beyond.  Across its network, EMPHNET adopts a multidisciplinary approach dedicated to building individual and organizational capacities towards effectively responding to public health challenges, threats, and emergencies. 

Through a variety of initiatives, the organization enhances countries’ preparedness in the areas of field epidemiology, emergency response, research, bio-health safety and security, and One Health, amongst other disciplines. Today, EMPHNET works in partnership with ministries of health, non-government organizations, international agencies, the private sector, and relevant institutions from the region and the globe. 

In light of this expansion, EMPHNET is also strengthening the pivotal role that its academic and training arm, the International Academy of Public Health (IAPH), plays in realizing its vision. On its part, IAPH will offer opportunities for health professionals in the UAE and the region to have access to training programs that respond to changing public health needs. 

Commenting on this development, EMPHNET’s Executive Director, Dr Mohannad Al Nsour said, "I am very proud to see the discussions of EMPHNET’s presence in the UAE materialize into a tangible reality. I see this office launch marking an important step towards elevating levels of public health in the region while also responding to the pressing need to strengthen our region’s health workforce. Our presence in one of the world’s largest technology, health, and event centers will effectively respond to the pertinent need in our region to close the information to action gap, as it will bring us closer towards realizing our vision to create healthier communities and to increasing the number of public health professionals available to serve our region’s populations”

On the sidelines of EMPHNET’s UAE   office inauguration, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed between EMPHNET and the Abu Dhabi University (ABU), as well as the University of Ras Al Khaima (RAK) respectively.

Dr Al Nsour stated that these agreements bring with them a myriad of possibilities, as they can serve as the prelude to designing joint specialized programs in public health that cater to the unique needs of students, professionals, and the market demand. 

EMPHNET’s network expansion falls in line with its ongoing aims to enhance public health systems as well as its commitment to empowering the regional public health workforce. Its decision to launch an office in Abu Dhabi falls in line with the UAE’s vision for achieving sustainable development within the health sector, a goal that EMPHNET is committed to contributing to.