ADPHC taps Novo Nordisk expertise to launch precision weight management program in Abu Dhabi

UAE—The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has partnered with global healthcare company Novo Nordisk to advance weight management across the emirate.

The collaboration aims to strengthen community awareness and support the rollout of a personalised weight management programme within Abu Dhabi’s broader healthcare system.

At its core, the initiative prioritises prevention, early detection, and timely intervention—pillars that reflect the emirate’s evolving approach to public health.

Empowering frontline healthcare professionals

A central focus of the partnership is equipping family physicians and other healthcare professionals to better identify and support individuals at risk.

As the first point of contact for most patients, these professionals play a critical role in spotting early warning signs, offering sound guidance, and maintaining consistent follow-up through the programme’s approved care pathways.

By investing in their capacity, the collaboration ensures that weight management support begins at the community level, well before health conditions escalate.

A programme built around the Individual

What sets the personalised weight management programme apart is its people-centred design.

Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, clinicians develop individual care plans based on a comprehensive assessment of each participant’s health indicators, lifestyle, and risk factors.

This tailored model ensures that every intervention aligns with a person’s specific health needs.

The programme is also fully embedded within Abu Dhabi’s healthcare system, enabling patients to move seamlessly across different levels of care without interruption.

Leaders speak on the collaboration

Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the ADPHC, described the programme as a key pillar in the centre’s efforts to promote community health.

He emphasised that the partnership strengthens awareness and creates clear, trusted pathways that help individuals take practical, sustainable steps toward better weight management and an improved quality of life.

Dr. Cecilia Radu, General Manager of Novo Nordisk UAE, echoed that sentiment, noting that Novo Nordisk brings expertise in conditions linked to excess weight, alongside a commitment to capacity-building and awareness initiatives.

She stressed that the company’s role is to support healthcare professionals in empowering individuals to make well-informed health decisions.

Awareness campaigns and community outreach

As part of the collaboration, both organisations will deliver integrated awareness and educational campaigns targeting different community segments.

These efforts will highlight the health risks associated with obesity, underscore the value of early detection, and direct eligible individuals toward the weight management programme.

The programme currently operates across a number of government and private clinics and hospital groups in Abu Dhabi, combining health education, behavioural support, medical follow-up, and therapeutic interventions where necessary.

Knowledge exchange and long-term sustainability

Beyond community outreach, the collaboration also creates a framework for sharing expertise and best practices between both parties.

This exchange will feed into the ongoing development of weight management initiatives, helping to keep the programme aligned with the latest scientific standards and ensuring its long-term effectiveness.