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Dubai Health welcomed world-renowned heart surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub during his visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and Al Jalila Foundation, where he toured the research centers and learned about programs and projects within Dubai Health’s integrated academic health system.

He was received by H.E. Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors, and Chairperson of the MBRU Council.
Also in attendance were H.E. Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority; H.E. Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City Authority; H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, along with a number of Dubai Health leaders.

Professor Yacoub was accompanied by his daughter, Ms. Lisa Magdi Yacoub; Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman of the Dubai Jewellery Group; and Francis White, CEO of Heart Biotech.
Commenting on the visit, H.E. Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg said: “We are honored to welcome Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, a world-renowned heart surgeon and distinguished humanitarian. His visit strengthens Dubai Health’s role in the medical and academic fields and reaffirms our mission to advance health for humanity.

It also highlights our commitment to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and elevate quality of life, in line with the vision of our leadership, which places people at the heart of development and growth.”

Professor Yacoub praised the remarkable progress made by Dubai Health and its continued efforts to elevate the standards of healthcare and medical research.

H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, said: “We were privileged to host Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, whose visit reflects our vision to foster meaningful collaborations that advance medical research and position Dubai as a global hub for healthcare excellence.”

He added: “The visit further reinforces our efforts to build an integrated, dynamic infrastructure that empowers clinicians and researchers to deliver comprehensive and human-centered care.”

Professor Magdi Yacoub was warmly greeted by members of the Dubai Health family, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to science and humanity.

The visit provided a unique opportunity to engage with a globally respected visionary whose lifelong contributions have transformed the field of cardiac surgery.

The initiative’s 4th edition was in collaboration with GDRFA and Emirates Literature Foundation 

• A total of 1,542 children from different nationalities have benefited from the initiative since it was launched in March 2024 
• The initiative has recorded a 92% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to its first edition  

Dubai, UAE, 28 October 2025: Dubai Health organized the fourth edition of the Clinic of Hope initiative at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, aligning with its mission and supporting the Year of Community, which embodies the leadership’s vision for a cohesive and sustainable society. 

The multi-specialty pediatric clinic aims to provide essential, free healthcare services to children in need. This year, more than 500 children of various nationalities benefited from the initiative. 

Since its launch in March 2024, the “Clinic of Hope” initiative has recorded a 92% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to its first edition, bringing the total number of children supported to 1,542. This reflects the initiative’s success and its positive impact in promoting social responsibility. 

The clinic provided medical care across more than 18 specialties, including general pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, asthma and allergy, genetics, ENT, hematology and oncology, physiotherapy, nutrition, mental health, orthopedics, pediatric surgery, audiology, and ophthalmology. 

The event was held in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, the Emirates Literature Foundation, the Modern Sports Training Academy (MST), and the Emirates Red Crescent. It also featured the participation of several private entities and more than 100 volunteers, including medical, nursing, and administrative teams, as well as students from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health. 

The event was attended by Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO Emeritus of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Women and Children's Campus at Dubai Health; and Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health. 

A Promise to Serve 

Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Campus at Dubai Health, said: “We are proud of the success achieved by the “Clinic of Hope” initiative since its launch last year. The initiative reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to Advancing Health for Humanity by providing essential medical care to children. The success of the fourth edition, highlights the initiative’s ability to achieve its goals and strengthen its humanitarian impact.” 

Dr. Al Awadhi added that Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, will cover the treatment costs of children whose medical conditions require advanced interventions, in line with Dubai Health’s “Patient First” promise. 

He also expressed his gratitude to all participating entities and thanked the volunteers for their efforts and contributions to the success of this initiative. 

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The Clinic of Hope initiative embodies the core of our mission, to ensure that every child receives the healthcare they deserve. The inspiring vision of our leadership serves as a beacon for our efforts to strengthen social solidarity and promote a culture of giving as a deeply rooted value in the UAE.” 

He added: “The continued success of the initiative reflects the collective efforts and strong collaboration with our partners across the public and private sectors, as well as the wider community. We look forward to expanding the initiative in the coming years to include more medical specialties and beneficiaries, reaffirming Dubai Health’s commitment, ‘Patient First’.” 

Brigadier Abdul Samad Hussain Al Baloushi, Assistant Director General for the Sector of Leadership and Future Affairs at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, affirmed that the participation of the Directorate in the “Clinic of Hope” initiative reflects its deep commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to contributing to initiatives that support community members and ease their hardships. This participation embodies a human-centered approach that reflects Dubai’s vision of enhancing quality of life and aligns with the UAE’s “Year of Community 2025” in fostering values of cooperation and solidarity among all members of society.  

He added: “GDRFA Dubai is keen to stay close to people in all circumstances — whether by supporting health and social initiatives or through on-ground engagement that leaves a positive impact on the lives of beneficiaries. The participation of the mascots Salem and Salama in the event added an interactive element that strengthened human connection with children, alongside the distribution of symbolic gifts that reflect the spirit of community participation that defines GDRFA Dubai”. 

Reading: A path to wellness  

Ahlam Bolooki, CEO Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and Managing Director ELF Publishing said: "As a mother to two young girls, I’m reminded every day of the comfort and wonder that stories bring — not only to children but to people of all ages. Our participation in the Clinic of Hope was a beautiful example of how reading can nurture wellbeing, offering a moment of calm and connection even in the most unexpected places”. 

Diverse activities 

The initiative also featured a series of activities that combined learning and play, where children participated in reading sessions, creative arts and crafts, and interactive performances. The program included awareness activities on oral hygiene and healthy nutrition, along with fitness exercises designed to encourage children to adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle. 

The Emirates Red Crescent distributed gifts to the children, who also enjoyed meeting the popular mascots of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, “Salem” and “Salama”, in a cheerful and engaging experience. The Emirates Literature Foundation took part in the clinic with its UAE Reading Caravan, bringing the joy of reading to patients and families. Volunteers from the Foundation and its Voices of Future Generations initiative read stories aloud, creating moments of comfort and connection that highlighted the healing power of literature, while the Modern Sports Training Academy (MST) offered a variety of fun sports activities. 

Dubai Health announced that over 145 successful robotic surgeries have been performed at Dubai Hospital since the launch of its robotic surgery programme in the second half of 2022. This achievement reflects its commitment to adopting innovative medical technologies to serve patients and continuously improve healthcare quality.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer - Dubai Health, said: “This marks a milestone in the digital transformation of our healthcare system and reflects our commitment to leveraging advanced medical technologies and solutions that elevate the quality of care, in line with our vision to Advance Health for Humanity.”

His Excellency highlighted that Dubai Health is continuously strengthening its digital infrastructure across all hospitals and health centres within its integrated academic health system. Guided by its ‘Patient First’ promise, Dubai Health equips medical teams with innovative technologies that improve accuracy and safety, contributing to a more seamless patient journey. This approach further solidifies Dubai’s position as a leader in quality healthcare.

Dr. Yaser AlSaeedi, Head of Urology and Director of the Robotic Surgery programme at Dubai Health, and Assistant Professor at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, said: “Robotic surgeries at Dubai Health represent a significant step forward in the use of smart technologies in the operating room. This approach has increased surgical precision, strengthened patient safety, and led to improved outcomes.”

Dr. AlSaeedi affirmed that robotic surgeries have proven highly effective, reducing blood loss by over 90%, shortening recovery times, and significantly lowering complications and pain. This approach offers a safer and more precise treatment option, improving the patient’s experience and enabling a faster return to normal life.

Dr. AlSaeedi added that all specialised surgeries performed over the past three years have demonstrated strong clinical outcomes, including a reduction in hospital stays from two weeks to less than three days. He emphasised that training medical staff in robotic surgical systems remains essential to ensuring procedures are performed safely and effectively. The training combines both theory and hands-on practice and equips practitioners with the necessary skills to become licensed in this advanced technology, supporting its safe and regulated use.

Robotic surgical systems at Dubai Health
Robotic surgeries at Dubai Health span multiple specialties, including urology, general surgery, and gynaecology. These procedures utilise robotic systems that provide surgeons with high-precision, 3D visualisation. The surgeon operates a control unit with a magnified viewing screen, guiding the robotic arms inside the body with precise, real-time movements. This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions instead of a single large one, helping surgeons perform complex procedures with greater accuracy and control. It also reduces the need to move surrounding tissue, muscles, and organs, lowering the risk of infection and pain during recovery, and ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Dubai Health has announced its participation in GITEX Global 2025, where it will showcase its latest digital initiatives, highlighting its role in enhancing healthcare outcomes and improving the patient experience.

Dubai Health will participate within the Dubai Government Pavilion at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 13 to 17 October. The exhibition, which brings together leading public and private entities, focuses this year on the latest developments in biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

Atif Al Braiki, Chief Digital and AI Officer at Dubai Health, said: "Dubai Health’s participation in GITEX Global 2025 reflects our commitment to leveraging modern technologies and artificial intelligence solutions to advance healthcare services and redefine the patient journey. The exhibition provides a global platform to explore the latest digital innovations and apply them toward building an integrated healthcare system that meets future needs."

He added: "Our digital transformation continues to pave the way for an integrated, advanced healthcare ecosystem supported by artificial intelligence, one that enables faster, more precise, and more accessible care for every individual. Through these efforts, we aim to elevate quality of life and realize our vision of Advancing Health for Humanity."

Digital Projects

During the exhibition, Dubai Health will showcase three digital projects as part of its efforts to harness AI to improve the quality of healthcare services.

Among them is Virufy, an AI-powered smartphone application designed for rapid and accessible prescreening of infectious respiratory diseases through the analysis of users’ cough sounds. The initiative stems from a partnership with Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity. Under this collaboration, a clinical research study will be conducted to validate the accuracy of Virufy’s AI algorithm. Once validated, this technology has the potential to strengthen public health preparedness, offering a convenient screening tool directly accessible via smartphones.

Another initiative is “Virtual ICU”, a digital system focused on improving pediatric care and ensuring continuous monitoring in a secure, technology-driven environment. It enables specialists to remotely monitor critical cases through smart surveillance tools and real-time clinical data analysis, ensuring early intervention, reducing complications, and supporting recovery. The system also connects intensive care units through a unified virtual network, allowing medical teams to share knowledge and provide consultations across facilities.

Also highlighted is “Agentic AI for MBRU Admissions,” a generative AI-powered virtual assistant designed to provide round-the-clock support for students and applicants. It responds to inquiries about admission programs, registration requirements, and scholarships at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health.

The intelligent system interacts through phone calls and text-based chats, delivering accurate and reliable information that simplifies the admissions process and creates a smoother experience.

Dubai Health’s participation in GITEX Global 2025 aligns with both the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Digital Strategy, reflecting its commitment to deploying AI across its system to serve the community  and improve quality of life.

Athlete Ghani Souleymane has reached the halfway mark of his Guinness World Record attempt, having completed over 50 triathlons in support of Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health.

The challenge supports the efforts of Al Jalila Foundation’s sports philanthropy program, which is dedicated to transforming athletic achievement into meaningful humanitarian impact. To date, and with the support of community partners, the program has raised nearly AED 15 million through more than 450 events, with every donation going directly toward patient care.

The Dubai T100 Triathlon is one of the flagship events in the global T100 series, bringing together athletes and endurance enthusiasts of all ages. Souleymane’s “T100x100” challenge is an attempt to complete 100 triathlons in 100 consecutive days, with each day requiring a 2 km swim, 80 km cycle, and 18 km run.

The Child Fund
Proceeds from Souleymane’s challenge will go directly toward providing treatment for children with cancer through Al Jalila Foundation’s The Child Fund, offering hope to young patients and their families.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: "We believe that sport plays a vital role in strengthening the connection between health and community, and in inspiring individuals to become active partners in the journey of giving. Souleymane's experience is a powerful example of how personal dedication can be directed to serve noble humanitarian causes, reinforcing the values of solidarity and compassion, and contributing to improving the quality of life for children while restoring hope to their families.”

He added: "We are confident in Souleymane’s ability to complete the challenge and reach a milestone worthy of recognition in the Guinness World Records. His achievement will serve as a powerful source of inspiration, reflecting Dubai Health’s mission to advance health for humanity."

Highlighting the significance of the challenge, Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisation, said: “Ghani’s T100 challenge captures the true spirit of our sport – using triathlon as a platform to inspire, unite communities and drive meaningful change. The T100 World Tour is built on stories like these, where professional racing and grassroots passion combine to leave a lasting impact well beyond the finish line. We are proud to see Dubai and the UAE leading the way with such an extraordinary effort.”

Sharing his motivation, Ghani Souleymane said: "I’m proud to support Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to use sport as a force for positive change, improving lives, promoting better health, and strengthening the values of compassion and solidarity that define the UAE community. Through this challenge, I carry a humanitarian message to stand with children battling cancer. With every step I take, I hope to turn effort into hope, and give those in need a real chance at life." 

Having reached the halfway point, Souleymane’s physical strength and determination have become a powerful source of inspiration and a wide-reaching community rallying call to support Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to fund cancer treatment for children. The challenge is set to conclude at the Dubai T100 Triathlon on November 16, 2025.

Dubai Health will showcase career opportunities, training programs, and academic pathways for Emirati talents at Ru’ya Careers UAE 2025, held from September 23 to 25 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Across three days, Dubai Health will highlight employment opportunities and host expert-led discussions showcasing training and academic programs for graduates and professionals.

Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “Our participation at Ru’ya Careers UAE 2025 underscores our commitment to cultivating national talents in healthcare, scientific, and academic fields. By showcasing career and training pathways, we are enabling Emirati professionals to play a central role in advancing the nation’s healthcare sector.”

He added: “Across our missions of care, learning, discovery, and giving, we have equipped Emirati professionals to lead in specialized fields and drive progress across medicine and health sciences. This reflects our mission to nurture and develop a pipeline of national talent, achieving the goals of Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to build a more efficient healthcare system.”

Khalifa Baqer, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Health, said: “Ru’ya Careers UAE 2025 is a strategic platform to showcase the career paths and competitive advantages we offer in healthcare, scientific, and academic fields. It is also a unique opportunity to forge new partnerships that strengthen collaboration in education, research, and employment.”

He added: “Dubai Health will present roles that reflect the diversity of opportunities across our system. In doing so, we are strengthening Emiratization and preparing the next generation to lead the nation’s healthcare sector.”