H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, today chaired the Strategic Affairs Council meeting, where a range of agenda times were discussed.

The meeting was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Second Vice President of the Executive Council; Mohammed Al Shibani, Director-General of the Dubai Ruler’s Court; Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority; Abdullah Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of the Executive Council; Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police; Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority; Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality; Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice President of the Higher Energy Council; Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of the Finance Department; and Sami Ahmed Al Qamzi, Director-General of the Economic Development Department.

The participants were briefed about the emirate’s health policy in local schools, which was presented by the Dubai Health Authority. Dr. Manal Tarim, Executive Director of the Primary Health Care Sector at the Authority, explained the health problems facing UAE nationals and residents in Dubai, and the methods of preventing diseases and improving the health patterns of students. She also highlighted the correlation between the policy and federal and local programmes, including Dubai Plan 2021 and UAE Vision 2021, while adding that the policy aims to prevent diseases, encourage early detection, and promote the development of health-related research and information systems.

The Council board was also briefed about the Mental Health Strategy 2021, presented by Dr. Mohammed Al Rida, Director of the Organisational Transformation Office at the Dubai Health Authority, who highlighted the gaps in the mental health system and available local services, and identified the key related strategic programmes, to help the emirate obtain the best international systems in this area.

The meeting agenda included other social topics, such as the Culture and Arts Sector Strategy 2017-2021, which was prepared by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and presented by Latifa bin Dumaithan, Director of the Executive Office of the Deputy Chairman of the Authority. The Community Development Authority also presented its Early Childhood Strategy 2021 in Dubai, presented by Nouf Al Suwaidi, Director of the Strategy Administration at the Authority.