Dubai Health

Dubai Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the non-profit research and development organization Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) at World Health Expo Dubai (WHX).

The agreement was signed by Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Dr. Luis Pizarro, Executive Director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), in the presence of His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE, and Thi Hanh Cao, Director of External Relations at DNDi.

The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration in medical education, research, and clinical training, with a shared goal of improving health outcomes for underserved populations affected by neglected infectious diseases. It brings together DNDi’s global expertise in needs‑driven drug discovery and development and Dubai Health’s integrated academic health system to support research and capacity‑building across priority global health areas.

Under the agreement, students from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health will take part in DNDi‑led programs, including fieldwork and clinical research activities in Africa and Asia. These programs provide hands‑on exposure to patients affected by neglected diseases and to the full spectrum of drug discovery, development and public health delivery. DNDi experts will also contribute to MBRU academic programs, supporting two‑way academic and professional exchange.

The collaboration will begin with joint research scoping to identify priority projects. It will involve active faculty engagement through guest lectures, curriculum development, student co‑supervision, joint grant applications, and collaborative research publications.

The partnership will also encompass collaboration in drug discovery, clinical trials, regulatory science, and public health policy, with a particular focus on viral diseases, pandemic preparedness, and fungal infections. In addition, it will support joint initiatives in the application of artificial intelligence to health research, as well as the co‑organization of scientific conferences and workshops and the dissemination of knowledge on key global health challenges.

Dr. Luis Pizarro, said: “Neglected diseases disproportionately affect the world’s most vulnerable populations and are often overlooked by traditional research models. Through this partnership with Dubai Health, we aim to advance scientific progress while helping train the next generation of global health leaders to deliver more equitable health solutions.”

Dr. Hanan AlSuwaidi, said: “This partnership represents a meaningful step forward in how we prepare our students and researchers to engage with the world’s most pressing and complex health challenges. By partnering with DNDi, we are giving our learners direct access to real-world drug development, clinical research, and global health practice. It reflects our commitment to advancing health for humanity by ensuring that care, learning, discovery, and giving are driven by purpose and real-world impact.”

Dubai Health has announced the launch of 24-hour operations at Al Lusaily Health Center, starting January 1, 2026. The step came in response to feedback from community members during the “Dubai Health Majalis: Voice of the Community” initiative, which provides a platform for residents to engage directly in shaping healthcare services.

This expansion enhances Dubai Health’s network of around-the-clock health centers, improving access to healthcare services and strengthening the overall readiness of the healthcare system.

Dubai Health currently operates 14 ambulatory health centers across the city, providing a comprehensive range of primary healthcare services for all age groups. These centers offer multidisciplinary services, including preventive care, routine screenings, and the management of chronic conditions.

Khalifa Baqer, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Health, said: “The transition to round-the-clock operations at Al Lusaily Health Center forms part of a broader set of initiatives driven by community feedback gathered through the Dubai Health Majalis. This initiative was launched in alignment with the Year of Community 2025 and reflects our commitment to putting community feedback into action while ensuring the continuity and advancement of our healthcare service delivery.”
 

He added: “During the year, Dubai Health organized five community Majalis across different areas of Dubai, including Umm Suqeim, Al Khawaneej, Dubai Club for People of Determination, Al Rashidiya, and Al Lusaily, as part of our ongoing efforts to listen to and engage with the community.”

Dr. Ayesha AlBasti, Chair of Family Medicine at Dubai Health, said: “Operating Al Lusaily Health Center around the clock demonstrates our dedication to expanding accessible primary healthcare for the community, actively addressing the needs of Dubai residents. With this step, Al Lusaily Health Center will join the Nad Al Hamar, Al Barsha, and Dubai Airports medical centers, which also operate around the clock. The center will provide integrated medical care across several specialties, including family medicine and emergency care.”

Dubai Health Majalis

Dubai Health launched the “Dubai Health Majalis: Voice of the Community” initiative in support of the objectives of the Year of Community 2025. These engagements are designed to bring Dubai’s residents and the Dubai Health team together in direct conversation through scheduled gatherings in residential neighborhoods. The initiative encourages community members to share feedback, raise concerns, and offer suggestions, empowering them to play an active role in shaping the future of healthcare and services provided by Dubai Health.

Dubai Health announced the successful completion of 234 kidney transplant surgeries since the launch of its kidney transplant programme in 2016, achieving a success rate of over 95 percent and highlighting the impact of cross-sector collaboration.

Dubai Health’s kidney transplant programme is delivered in cooperation with federal, local, and private-sector partners, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, Dubai Airports, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, Dubai Customs, the Dubai Police General Command, Dubai Public Prosecution, and Mediclinic City Hospital, alongside other private healthcare partners. This initiative supports the national Hayat Program for Donation and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissue, enabling access to life-saving treatments.

Since its inception, the programme has facilitated 234 transplants for patients of diverse nationalities, with children accounting for 31.2 percent of recipients. Of these procedures, 120 were performed at Dubai Health hospitals, 90 at Mediclinic City Hospital, and 24 at Al Qassimi Hospital.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), said: “These efforts highlight a collaborative approach across sectors in organ transplantation and reaffirm our commitment to delivering specialised care. They also embody our leadership’s vision of placing human health at the forefront of priorities, reinforcing Dubai’s position in the field.”

Dr. Sharif added: “Guided by our ‘Patient First’ promise, we are committed to ensuring that every patient is given access to comprehensive treatment. This approach reflects a model of care and giving, where the programmes of Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, play a vital role in contributing to a better quality of life.”
The transplant recipients included patients of all ages, with kidneys donated by both living and deceased donors, reflecting growing community awareness of the life-saving importance of organ donation.

Multidisciplinary care

All transplant procedures at Dubai Health are delivered through coordinated, multidisciplinary care aligned with the highest standards and supported by comprehensive assessment, surgical treatment, and structured long-term follow-up.

Al Jalila Foundation supports patients through a range of healthcare programmes, including its ‘Your Donation Saves Lives’ initiative, which encourages organ donation and helps fund transplant treatment. To date, the programme has covered the treatment costs of 66 patients, representing 31.4 percent of all transplant patients in Dubai. In addition, the ‘A’awen’ programme provides essential support for patients who are unable to access or afford specialised care. Together, these initiatives showcase Dubai Health’s commitment to advancing health for humanity.

Dubai Health provides specialised care for patients with kidney failure across its facilities, including Dubai Hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Al Twar Dialysis Center, and Al Barsha Dialysis Center.