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Dubai Health’s Genomic Medicine Center Earns CAP Accreditation
20 Dec 2025
Dubai Health announced that its Genomic Medicine Center (GMC) has earned accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the globally-recognized authority in laboratory quality assurance, marking a significant milestone that reflects its commitment to the highest global standards of quality, accuracy, and safety.
This accreditation is awarded following a precise evaluation conducted by a panel of experts to verify laboratories’ compliance with internationally recognized standards in the field. It is considered one of the world’s leading medical laboratory quality assurance programs, aimed at achieving the highest levels of excellence in laboratory practices.
Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Director of the Genomic Medicine Center at Dubai Health, expressed his profound pride in the center’s achievement in obtaining accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP), a milestone that reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to the highest internationally recognized quality standards and its dedication to providing high-quality services to patients and physicians. He added that this recognition further strengthens the center’s position as a leading hub for genomic medicine and advanced research.
Dr. Abou Tayoun further explained that Dubai Health’s Genomic Medicine Center supports the overall healthcare system, from analyzing genomic data to providing consultation and follow-up for individuals and families. This approach enables medical professionals to make precise, evidence-based treatment decisions. The center also provides a comprehensive range of genetic tests and analyses through its molecular genetics, genomics, and cytogenetics laboratories, including genetic diagnosis of heredity conditions and rare diseases and the premarital genetic screening program. The center contributes to supporting public health programs in the UAE.”
The Genomic Medicine Center also supports Dubai Health’s integrated academic health system model, as it is consisted of a team of physicians and researchers alongside students from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the arm of learning and discovery of Dubai Health. This collaboration aims to transform biomedical discoveries into practical solutions that contribute to advancing healthcare services.
Dubai Health Genomic Medicine’s Study Published in Nature Communications
In a step that further strengthens Dubai’s global standing in advanced scientific research, a research team at Dubai Health has published a new scientific study in the international medical journal Nature Communications, revealing innovative techniques for the detection and diagnosis of rare diseases using genomic medicine.
The study, titled "Long Read Sequencing Enhances Pathogenic and Novel Variation Discovery in Patients with Rare Diseases," provides a scientific framework to improve the diagnostic accuracy of rare diseases. It demonstrates how advances in clinical genetic testing can increase precision and lead to more effective medical tools, directly supporting the healthcare system and Dubai Health’s Patient First commitment.
Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Dean of the College of Medicine and Graduate Medical Education at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, said: “This success reflects our commitment to fostering scientific research within Dubai Health and our strategic partnership between academic inquiry and clinical practice. It is a purposeful step toward developing medical practices that enhance wellbeing and elevate the quality of patient care."
She added: “Fatma’s achievement demonstrates the strength of our graduate programs and the vibrant research culture across our academic health system. Through our Master’s and PhD programs in Biomedical Sciences, MBRU is dedicated to preparing research professionals equipped with rigorous scientific thinking and advanced research skills, fostering a discovery-based learning environment that supports sustainable development in healthcare. These research-intensive programs combine rigorous academic training with hands-on experience across Dubai Health’s clinical and research facilities. Students benefit from competitive financial support, including full scholarships for PhD candidates and substantial aid for Master’s students, enabling them to pursue high-impact research.”
Diagnostic Accuracy
Fatma Rabea, Emirati PhD student at MBRU, and spokesperson for the research team, explained that the study plays a key role in enhancing the accuracy of diagnosing rare diseases by using modern techniques to uncover their genetic origins. This approach supports evidence-based treatment decisions and helps elevate the standard of care for these patients, empowering them through precise diagnosis.
Fatma noted that the study analyzed clinical samples, demonstrating that long-read genomic sequencing techniques significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for rare diseases by identifying genetic variants missed by traditional methods. This led to new diagnoses for approximately 10% of the cases studied, providing essential treatments and enhancing wellbeing.
The Hamdan Medical Research Award
The study was honored with the prestigious Arab Award for Research in Healthcare, as part of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences 2025 Medical Awards. This honor recognizes the meaningful contributions MBRU students make in advancing discovery and contributing to globally relevant research. This accolade recognizes the study's substantial scientific contribution to improving diagnostic precision for rare diseases, which directly enhances overall patient care.
To access the study, visit https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57695-9.
Dubai Health Receives Accreditation from Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI)
Dubai Health has announced that its Ambulatory Health Centers, encompassing primary healthcare centers and outpatient specialized centers, as well as its hospitals have received accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) during a celebration held at the Dubai Health stand at WHX Dubai.
The event was attended by H.E. Bryony Hilless, Consul General of Australia in Dubai and Northern Emirates; Mr. Mounir Sankary, Deputy Consul General and Trade and Investment Commissioner; H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; 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; Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer of Dubai Health; Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Clinical Officer of Dubai Health; and Dr. Entesar Al Hammadi, Chief of Patient Safety and Quality at Dubai Health.
This achievement reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to implementing the highest global standards in healthcare services through initiatives designed to elevate both patient and employee experience. The ACHSI assessment leveraged results from the Press Ganey Patient Survey Program, alongside the “Dubai Health Majalis: Voice of the Community” initiative, which encouraged active community participation in shaping healthcare services. Feedback was also gathered through the 04 Platform, a unified communications channel that enables customers to submit suggestions, comments, and complaints.
Dr. Amer Sharif said: “Receiving accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International represents a significant step forward in our efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global healthcare destination. It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, in line with our broader vision to advance health for humanity.”
He added: “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our teams, whose efforts continue to strengthen our integrated academic health system, guided by global best practices.”
Dr. Entesar AlHammadi, commented on this achievement saying: “Securing ACHSI accreditation is a key part of Dubai Health’s strategy to pursue international endorsements. It enables us to benchmark our centers against leading global healthcare systems, which supports the continuous advancement of our services, through initiatives that prioritize both patient and employee experience.”
Dr. AlHammadi confirmed that the accreditation encompasses Dubai Health’s Ambulatory Health Centers, including primary healthcare centers and outpatient specialized centers, as well as its hospitals, all of which met comprehensive standards covering patient and employee experience, clinical service quality, education and training, support services, infrastructure, and accessibility for people of determination.
She added: “Our centers are the first in the world to receive this accreditation within an integrated academic health system, demonstrating excellence across clinical care, education, research, and patient safety.”
A History of International Accreditation
The ACHSI accreditation adds to Dubai Health’s Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, reflecting continued alignment with global best practices.
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International is one of the world’s foremost healthcare accreditation bodies. It is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the quality and safety of healthcare services worldwide.