PureHealth has joined forces with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to strengthen awareness, support earlier diagnosis and improve care for people living with multiple sclerosis across the United Arab Emirates.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City in Abu Dhabi. It brings together PureHealth’s extensive clinical network and system-wide capabilities with NMSS’s expertise in advocacy, education and community support. The collaboration also supports global efforts to advance research toward a cure for MS and aligns with PureHealth’s role as a founding member of the National Coalition for MS.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause a wide range of physical, cognitive and mobility challenges and often appears during early to mid-adulthood. While an estimated 2.9 million people live with MS worldwide, prevalence in the UAE has risen over the past decade. This trend highlights the need for greater public awareness and faster recognition of symptoms.
Leya Aldamani, Chief Sustainability Officer at PureHealth, said the condition continues to require stronger efforts so patients can access timely diagnosis and the right care. “This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing together clinical expertise, data and coordinated care pathways to enable earlier intervention and improve long-term outcomes,” she said. “By strengthening clinical capability and embedding more patient-centred models of care, our goal is to contribute to building a more connected and proactive healthcare system".
A central goal of the collaboration is supporting the rollout of the UAE’s first MS Treatment Guidelines, developed and published by NMSS. Integrating these guidelines into clinical practice and payer systems is expected to improve diagnosis, treatment and support. Patients should gain earlier access to highly effective therapies based on the latest evidence, better insurance coverage alignment, and more consistent care across the country.
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Maral Alexandrian, Acting Executive Director of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, stressed that progress in MS care cannot happen in isolation. “People living with the condition benefit most when healthcare, advocacy and community support work hand in hand,” she said. “Our partnership with PureHealth reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the MS ecosystem in the UAE through greater awareness, earlier intervention and more coordinated support for individuals and families impacted by the condition".
The partnership will give special attention to vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and paediatric patients. It also promotes a more patient-centred approach that encourages people living with MS to take an active role in treatment decisions. On the research front, the collaboration aims to strengthen local MS data, support national studies and registries, and generate insights that can inform future publications through closer work between clinicians, researchers and health authorities.
Clinical capacity building forms another key pillar. More than 1,300 healthcare professionals will receive Continu ing Medical Education accredited training led by MS specialists and aligned with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s direction. The programme is designed to help neurologists and multidisciplinary teams improve diagnosis and long-term disease management. Nurses will receive particular focus so they can play a stronger role in care coordination and patient education.
Engagement will extend beyond clinicians. Patients and caregivers will benefit from dedicated community sessions, while targeted awareness initiatives including webinars, workshops and digital campaigns will improve public understanding of MS and encourage earlier recognition of symptoms.
PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, operating more than 110 hospitals, 316 clinics, diagnostic centres, health insurance solutions, pharmacies and related services. Its network includes SEHA, Daman, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and other major platforms. NMSS, established in 2022 under the Ministry of Community Empowerment, works to improve the lives of people living with MS in the UAE through education, advocacy and support for research toward a cure.
Together, the two organisations aim to create a more connected, informed and proactive ecosystem in which people living with MS feel better supported at every stage of their journey.
