EHS introduces twice-yearly schizophrenia treatment BYANNLI at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital

UAE—Emirates Health Services (EHS) has announced the introduction of BYANNLI, developed by Johnson & Johnson, for patients with schizophrenia at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, one of its affiliated facilities.

The hospital is the first government healthcare facility in the UAE to offer the long-acting treatment, which can be administered once every six months.

The extended dosing schedule represents a significant development in schizophrenia care, potentially reducing the frequency of treatment administration while supporting continuity of care.

His Excellency Dr. Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Clinical Services Sector at EHS, said the introduction of BYANNLI demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to providing patients with access to internationally approved treatment options.

He added that the move supports the UAE’s efforts to advance mental health services in line with global best practices.

According to Dr. Al Zarooni, the treatment also marks an important step in developing mental healthcare services that prioritise patients’ needs, quality of life and long-term health outcomes.

By expanding access to longer-acting treatment options, EHS aims to provide more sustainable care while improving the overall patient experience.

Supporting treatment continuity

Dr. Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, said maintaining treatment continuity remains a major challenge in managing chronic mental health conditions.

She explained that BYANNLI offers an advanced treatment option that could support continuity of care, reduce the risk of relapse and promote greater psychological and social stability among patients.

She added that improving treatment continuity and ensuring regular follow-up could have positive effects not only on patients but also on their families and caregivers.

EHS considers the introduction of BYANNLI an important addition to its mental health services as it continues to develop care models based on international best practices.

Improving long-term schizophrenia care

The introduction of the treatment comes amid rapid advances in mental healthcare.

Its six-month dosing schedule is designed to support sustained symptom control while reducing the need for frequent treatment administration.

As a result, the approach could help strengthen treatment adherence, facilitate consistent medical follow-up and contribute to more efficient use of healthcare resources.

Schizophrenia is a chronic and complex mental health disorder that can significantly affect patients, their families and caregivers when inadequately managed.

Therefore, continuity and sustainability of treatment remain important elements of care, particularly in efforts to reduce relapse, support psychological and family stability and improve quality of life.

EHS said these priorities align with the objectives of the UAE’s Year of Family and its National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.

Hospital reports improved treatment outcomes

Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital has reported positive outcomes from its use of long-acting treatments among patients with chronic mental health disorders.

According to EHS, these treatments have helped reduce patient readmission rates to healthcare facilities to below 1%, while treatment plan adherence has reached 93%.

The hospital also reported notable improvements in psychiatric symptoms among 93% of patients receiving these treatments.

EHS attributed these outcomes to the quality of care provided at the facility and the effectiveness of its treatment models.

By introducing BYANNLI within the government healthcare sector, EHS is expanding its range of mental health treatment options while continuing to focus on integrated, proactive and patient-centred care.

 The initiative also reflects the organisation’s emphasis on innovation, quality and sustainable healthcare as the UAE advances its ambition to develop a world-class healthcare system.