UAE Government Hospital Introduces Six-Month Schizophrenia Treatment

Emirates Health Services (EHS) has introduced a six-month schizophrenia treatment at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, making it the first government hospital in the UAE to offer the long-acting therapy.

Known as BYANNLI, the treatment is administered once every six months and is designed to provide sustained symptom control while reducing the need for frequent doses. Health officials say the approach aims to improve treatment adherence, lower the risk of relapse and ease the burden on patients, families and caregivers.

Dr Essam Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Clinical Services Sector at Emirates Health Services, said the introduction of the treatment reflects the organisation's commitment to expanding access to internationally approved therapies and advancing mental healthcare in line with global best practices.

According to Emirates Health Services, maintaining treatment continuity remains one of the biggest challenges for people living with chronic mental health conditions. Dr Noor Almheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at Emirates Health Services, said the six-month injection offers an additional treatment option that can help patients remain on their care plans while supporting greater psychological and social stability.

The rollout builds on the hospital's experience with long-acting treatments for chronic mental health disorders. Emirates Health Services said Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital has reduced patient readmission rates to below 1%, achieved 93% treatment adherence, and recorded notable improvements in psychiatric symptoms among 93% of patients receiving long-acting therapies.