DUBAI, Broadcasting News Corporation : The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has hosted a meeting for the National Committee for the Promotion of Mental Health to discuss how to effectively carry out the initiatives that fall under the National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health. Hosted at its headquarters in Dubai, the meeting also explored ways to promote mental health, develop and expand the scope of comprehensive and integrated mental health services, and consolidate multi-sectoral cooperation between the involved authorities. The meeting was attended by Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector, Chairman of the Committee, and Dr. Lubna Al Shaali, Director of Health Policies and Legislation Department, and Vice Chairman of the Committee. Also, present were representatives of health authorities and partners from various public and private sectors. The gathering touched on mechanisms for the prevention of mental disorders, how to employ information systems and conduct research to enhance the integration of patients into society as well as to improve their quality of life to achieve social welfare. During the meeting, Dr. Al Rand stressed the importance of the committee’s role and its vital tasks, which include developing a package of initiatives to achieve an innovative, sustainable, and scalable model of mental health care as well as setting policies that would drive change according to a future-oriented vision aimed at creating a healthier and happier society. Al Rand also emphasised that promoting mental health is one of the government’s priorities and one of the most important pillars of strategic planning. With that in mind, the committee is making every effort to come up with procedures that ensure the realization of the national policy for the promotion of mental health while also providing the highest quality of health services to society, whether it be for prevention, treatment, or rehabilitation. For her part, Dr. Al Shaali said that the meeting discussed the latest developments concerning the implementation of the national policy for the promotion and evaluation of mental health. She underscored that the Committee is keen on improving coordination between all relevant bodies and sectors to ensure the integration and combination of efforts in the field of mental health promotion in the country. NEWS COLLECTED FROM EMIRATES NEWS AGENCY – WAM.