The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has signed a strategic agreement with Erth Zayed Philanthropies to advance its national multiple sclerosis (MS) agenda. As part of this agreement, Erth Zayed Philanthropies will contribute AED25 million to support NMSS in delivering its core priorities, including advancing UAE’s first National Coalition for MS, a multi-sector platform to improve care, research, and inclusion across the country.
The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a representative from Erth Zayed Philanthropies, during a formal ceremony in Abu Dhabi.
The announcement of this strategic agreement coincides with World MS Day, marked this year under the global theme My MS Diagnosis: Navigating MS Together, which highlights the importance of early detection and community support.
This year, Erth Zayed Philanthropies joins the National Coalition for MS as a founding partner, marking a pivotal step in the UAE’s efforts to advance equitable MS care and inclusion. This strategic partnership reinforces the UAE’s commitment to enhancing MS care, accelerating research, and advancing equity, catalysing broader multi-sector engagement to shape a more inclusive and transformative national response.
Coalition members include Sanofi, Axios International, PureHealth and Manzil Healthcare Services, each playing a vital role in advancing care, awareness, and system-wide impact.
Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice Chair of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society said: “The establishment of the National Coalition for MS is a defining step in our mission to drive equitable access to MS care. This work is inspired by the legacy of our late Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose vision was rooted in dignity, inclusion, and access to quality care for all. It is sustained by the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, whose commitment continues to shape the future of health and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global leader in innovative, people-centered healthcare.
“On World MS Day, we are proud to join the international community, not only in raising awareness, but in taking meaningful, coordinated action that has the potential to transform outcomes for people living with MS. Today, we are laying the foundations for long-term impact rooted in compassion, powered by collaboration, and guided by a shared responsibility to ensure that every member of our community has the opportunity to live a full and dignified life.”
The grant from Erth Zayed Philanthropies, will directly support NMSS in delivering on its key priorities and enabling the National Coalition for MS to address the most pressing challenges faced by people living with MS in the UAE.
First announced on World MS Day in 2024, the National Coalition for MS was convened by NMSS to bring together government entities, healthcare providers, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and educational institutions under a unified national agenda for MS.
The coalition’s priorities for 2025-2026 are focused on improving access to patient support resources, promoting inclusive workplace policies, strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals through specialised training, increasing public understanding of MS to enable earlier diagnosis, and ensuring long-term sustainability through coordinated fundraising and investment in research.
Together, these priorities form an action-oriented framework designed to mobilise resources, strengthen inclusion across sectors, and ensure that the UAE is a world leader in MS care. As the coalition moves into its implementation phase, its priorities will continue to be shaped by the voices and experiences of the MS community, ensuring that their needs, priorities, and aspirations drive every step of the journey.
Anchored in shared responsibility and measurable impact, the coalition’s members are onboarded to lead or contribute to key initiatives, with defined commitments that span one to two years depending on the scope of work.
The coalition’s priorities reflect a commitment to evidence-based solutions. Since its establishment, NMSS has invested AED6.5 million in MS research, with the next NMSS research grant cycle set to launch on 23 June 2025.
As the coalition transitions into its implementation phase, NMSS continues to call on stakeholders across sectors, from policymakers and healthcare institutions to academic bodies and donors, to join this pivotal movement.
