The UAE National Multiple Sclerosis Society has released a pioneering document to serve as treatment guidelines for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United Arab Emirates.

Developed by a specialized scientific team, including the society's medical advisory committee, these guidelines are intended to provide optimal medical support for individuals diagnosed with MS across the nation.

These guidelines have been instrumental in the formulation of the 'Ejada' health assurance program specifically designed for MS patients by Dubai Health Authority.

Furthermore, the guidelines have been published on the website of the Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders (MSARD) journal, a respected international publication supported by prominent researchers in neurology, underscoring the scientific credibility of the document as a reliable medical reference.

The formulation of these guidelines followed a meticulous study of the best available global evidence, while also considering the unique characteristics of the MS community in the UAE, including vast disparities in healthcare coverage and patient preferences.

The objective of releasing these guidelines is to ensure that appropriate treatments are accessible to the largest number of MS cases in the country, while addressing existing data gaps that may hinder health assurance coverage for those living with MS.

Included in the guidelines are references to treatment options during pregnancy, lactation, and for pediatric MS, thus broadening supportive care for a wider demographic.

Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chairwoman of the UAE National Multiple Sclerosis Society, emphasized that these treatment guidelines are grounded in the best globally available evidence and are the first of their kind in the UAE.

They provide detailed directions for physicians regarding disease-modifying therapies for managing multiple sclerosis.

Al Kaabi highlighted that the development of the guidelines is a pioneering effort.

Their practical application by health authorities across the UAE lends substantial traction and facilitates their dissemination among professionals in various healthcare facilities nationwide, offering a new avenue of hope for those newly diagnosed and living with MS. The guidelines focus on modern therapeutic trends, including the use of stem cells for patients who do not respond to existing disease-modifying treatments.

The UAE National Multiple Sclerosis Society ensured that the MS treatment guidelines were formulated through a collaborative strategic approach with various health agencies in the country, involving a comprehensive treatment pathway.

Several of the nation’s eminent neurologists from each emirate reviewed the guidelines, crafted by a dedicated scientific team led by the society's medical advisory committee, headed by Dr. Ahmad Shatila, Consultant Neurologist, Director of the private MS Clinic at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and Chairman of the Society's Medical Advisory Committee.

Dr. Ahmad Shatila, who spearheaded the scientific team in developing the guidelines, remarked that their provision by the UAE National Multiple Sclerosis Society represents a significant addition to the national healthcare system.

This milestone has been achieved through strategic collaboration with various health entities across the UAE.

The establishment of these treatment guidelines is an achievement expected to profoundly alter the delivery of healthcare services for those living with MS. They will bolster the MS community in the UAE from multiple angles, starting with simplifying and accelerating insurance approvals, ensuring quick diagnoses, preventing disease progression, and detailing specific medical procedures, thus allowing individuals to receive prescribed and universally agreed-upon treatments promptly upon confirmation of diagnosis.