Qatar and Denmark share unique strengths that can contribute to various aspects of healthcare, including medical research, technology and healthcare delivery, Anders Bjorn Hansen, the ambassador of Denmark to the UAE and Qatar, has said.

Hansen made the statement on Wednesday during a signing ceremony renewing the strategic contract between Ebn Sina Medical, a subsidiary of Aamal Company, and Novo Nordisk, renowned for its expertise in treating chronic diseases, such as diabetes, haemophilia, and obesity.

Aamal Company CEO Rashid al-Mansoori; Jay Thyagarajan, corporate vice-president of Novo Nordisk (Business Area Middle East, Africa and CIS); and Venkat Kalyan, vice-president and general manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma Gulf, attended the signing ceremony held in Doha.

“Denmark and Qatar have always shown interest in collaborating within the healthcare sector...this collaboration involves sharing best practices, strategies, and resources to improve their populations’ overall health and well-being,” Hansen emphasised.

He added: “And discussions are ongoing with the health authorities in Qatar with the intention of establishing a long-term partnership aiming to strengthen and expand stakeholders’ networks for an integrated approach to tackle chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.”

In a speech, al-Mansoori welcomed the attendees and expressed his appreciation for the longstanding relationship between Ebn Sina Medical and Novo Nordisk, which is built on mutual trust and a shared vision.

Essam Faragalla, general manager of Ebn Sina Medical, said: “Ebn Sina Medical has been supporting Qatar’s healthcare sector since the early 1970s by providing the best pharmaceutical products through collaborations with leading global pharmaceutical manufacturers such as Novo Nordisk.

“We are delighted to celebrate our longstanding relationship with Novo Nordisk and sign this strategic agreement to continue supporting Qatar’s healthcare sector. Today marks not only the renewal of an agreement but a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence in healthcare.”

He added: “Our partnership with Novo Nordisk embodies our dedication to providing exceptional healthcare solutions and delivering the best patient-centric care. Together, we will continue to innovate and advance the future of healthcare.”

Thyagarajan said, “Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company committed to driving change to defeat serious chronic diseases. Qatar is experiencing positive growth in the healthcare sector but faces a significant health burden with chronic diseases (prevalences ranging from 41% in obesity, 19.5% in diabetes, and 23% in cardiovascular disease). The collaboration between Novo Nordisk and Ebn Sina becomes increasingly vital to strengthen the healthcare landscape in Qatar.

“Combining Ebn Sina's medical infrastructure footprint and Novo Nordisk's innovative treatments, we are set to improve patient outcomes and address these pressing health challenges head-on.”

Kalyan added: “Our partnership with Ebn Sina in Qatar has been a longstanding success story. We deeply appreciate their dedication in delivering Novo Nordisk’s treatments for many years, and we look forward to continuing to improve people's lives together.”

With the rapid growth of the healthcare sector in Qatar, Ebn Sina Medical continues to play a pivotal role by partnering with world-renowned pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. The partnership ensures the continued supply of top-tier pharmaceutical products and healthcare consumables to Qatar’s private and public sectors.

Since collaborating in 1998, Ebn Sina Medical and Novo Nordisk have launched numerous initiatives to improve care for diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases in Qatar. The partnership has brought innovative healthcare solutions to the region, particularly Qatar, benefiting patients and society through awareness campaigns and patient education initiatives supported by both companies.