Qatar and Denmark can broaden their healthcare partnership beyond pharmaceuticals, creating new opportunities in public health education and lifestyle initiatives following the recent launch of the obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg) in Doha, Danish ambassador Anders Bjørn Hansen said.Speaking to Gulf Times, Hansen – who serves as ambassador to both Qatar and the UAE – described the introduction of Wegovy by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk as a strong reflection of the deepening healthcare diplomacy between the two nations.“Foremost, I think this is a very good testament to the close co-operation between our two countries and a very successful co-operation also involving Novo Nordisk,” he said.Developed by Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is a treatment for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above, designed to address obesity — a global public health challenge that increasingly affects populations both in Qatar and worldwide.It is learnt that the global obesity epidemic now affects approximately 1bn people, with the crisis escalating rapidly in the Gulf region, which reports some of the highest rates globally.Hansen stressed that the launch of Wegovy not only reflects Denmark’s expertise in life sciences but also underlines the nation’s values of balancing scientific innovation, patient care, and ethical responsibility.“It shows our very strong commitment to the life science area, where Novo Nordisk is one of our champion companies. It’s extremely important that the products also benefit people globally, so it’s a very positive event to see the launch of this particular product in Qatar,” he said.The ambassador underscored the potential for Qatar and Denmark to work together on holistic health initiatives that extend beyond pharmaceutical distribution.“The question is really spot on in terms of looking at this as a holistic approach. There is much that both countries can do to promote a healthy lifestyle — to make sure young children have active life activities in school, for example.“This is very important for all of us, and it is also something Denmark focuses on in both our healthcare and educational systems,” he added.

Joey Aguilar
Joey Aguilar has been a journalist since 2013 at Gulf Times, reporting on events related to Qatar. He was earlier a journalist for eight years in the Philippines. He became one of the 2015 United Nations Foundation Global Goals Press Fellows. He has also attended a number of journalism seminars in the Philippines.
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