On the occasion of Zayed Humanitarian Day, Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, today inaugurated 'The Clinic of Hope' at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. The charitable multi-specialty pediatric clinic is dedicated to providing essential healthcare services to children who lack access to adequate medical care.

Driven by Dubai Health’s ‘Patient First’ promise, the Clinic is committed to ensuring that every child receives the high-quality healthcare they deserve, regardless of their socio-economic background. With a steadfast focus on compassion and excellence, a team of dedicated pediatric healthcare professionals stands ready to serve those in need.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health said: “We are both proud and humbled to inaugurate ‘The Clinic of Hope’ on Zayed Humanitarian Day, as we reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose visionary leadership and compassion have left an indelible mark on the world. At Dubai Health, we reaffirm our dedication to carrying forward his legacy by providing care to all and by extending our support to those in need. The launch of this new clinic aligns with our mission to impact lives through a ‘Patient First’ promise, ensuring that accessible and quality healthcare is provided across the continuum of care.”

Dr. Mohamed Alawadhi, Deputy CEO of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and Latifa Hospital said: “The inauguration of ‘The Clinic of Hope’ represents a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to serving the healthcare needs of all children in our community. We believe that every child deserves access to essential healthcare services, and ‘The Clinic of Hope’ will play a vital role in ensuring that this vision becomes a reality. Through collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, we will create a healthier and more inclusive community for all children in Dubai.”

The inauguration event received support from the Community Development Authority and Awqaf Dubai, which played a pivotal role in identifying vulnerable children within the community. This collaboration further strengthened Dubai Health's collective efforts to reach those in need. During the event, the Clinic provided a range of essential health services, including medical examinations, diagnoses, as well as nutritional and dental education tailored specifically for children. To enrich the experience of young patients, the Emirates Literature Foundation organized several reading activities.

Established to enhance the standard of care and advance health for humanity, Dubai Health is the first integrated academic health system in Dubai. It encompasses six hospitals, 26 ambulatory health centers, 20 medical fitness centers, the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Al Jalila Foundation. With a focus on integrating care, learning, discovery, and philanthropy, 11,000 employees collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to prioritize patient care.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, has partnered with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation to establish the GCC’s first dedicated clinic at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. This is the first-of-its-kind clinic in the region and aims to improve care for patients with Angelman Syndrome and raise awareness of this rare neurological disorder. The clinic will provide a supportive community hub where patients, families and caregivers can connect with experts and receive the best evidence-based care, bridging a gap in healthcare for those living with this condition.  

In line with Dubai Health’s Patient First promise, the partnership with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation represents new hope for individuals and families living with this rare neuro-genetic disorder. Affecting approximately one in 500,000 people worldwide, the early symptoms of Angelman Syndrome include a significant delay in obtaining developmental milestones such as walking within the first 12 months. Other clinical findings include speech delay, movement or balance disorder and often present with an apparent happy demeanor with frequent laughter and excitability.

The clinic will provide families in the UAE access to specialist healthcare professionals and evidence-based care while also enhancing future treatment through the power of Dubai Health’s integrated academic health system. Through harnessing the education and research that takes place within Dubai Health, this partnership aims to significantly improve the lives of patients and their families.

Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, said: “We are delighted to partner with The Angelman Syndrome Foundation to bring this specialized clinic to Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, part of Dubai Health care network. This crucial partnership is a beacon of hope for patients and families affected by this rare condition. By ensuring that we deliver the highest standard of care and driven by our Patient First promise, we hope to empower Angelman Syndrome patients and their families to lead fulfilling lives.”

Also commenting on the partnership, Amanda Moore, CEO of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, said: "We are deeply honored to join forces with Dubai Health and Al Jalila Children's Hospital in this transformative initiative. This clinic will offer families in the UAE access to professionals with deep knowledge of Angelman Syndrome, expertise that has traditionally been challenging to locate. Raising awareness of rare conditions like Angelman Syndrome is crucial for early diagnosis and better patient outcomes. This initiative is part of our LADDER Learning Network, designed to bridge critical gaps in the healthcare landscape for families dealing with this rare disorder. We look forward to working closely with the team at Dubai Health to making a significant difference to the lives of patients and their families.”

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), which leads the Learning and Discovery missions of Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, joined forces with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to host the joint conference: Research and Public Health Priorities in the MENA Region: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic and Future Preparedness.

Held at MBRU, the event brought together regional experts and stakeholders from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), alongside counterparts from the U.S. and other regions to exchange insights and foster collaboration in addressing pressing public health challenges.

The U.S. CDC established the MENA Regional Office in Muscat, Oman in 2020 to strengthen public health collaborations in the region and enhance global health security. In addition to the CDC personnel in Muscat, CDC will soon place a Regional Technical Advisor for Emerging Infections and Zoonotic Diseases in Abu Dhabi to support additional efforts in UAE and the region. This presence, along with the NIAID in the region, fosters scientific and public health collaborations with the U.S., and the MENA region, including sharing best practices and innovations, such as this conference.

The conference welcomed approximately 200 delegates, including academics, healthcare practitioners, and public health professionals from 16 countries, including an impressive lineup of nearly 40 speakers and chairs and 40 abstract presenters. Featuring sessions, panel discussions, and abstract presentations, conference topics ranged from reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic's impact and predictions for future outbreaks, to strategies for preparedness and response. The conference also afforded opportunities for networking and collaboration among the participants.

The conference also featured keynotes by notable figures, including Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gaudiosi, of the U.S. Mission to the UAE; H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health, and President of MBRU; H.E. Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO of MBRU; from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Henry Walke, Director of the Office of Readiness and Response, Dr. Kayla Laserson, Director for the Global Health Center, Heather Burke, Regional Director, U.S. CDC Middle East/North Africa Regional Office in Muscat, Oman, ; and from NIAID, Dr. Daniel Douek, Senior Investigator and Chief of the Human Immunology Section at the Vaccine Research Center, and Dr. Mohamed H. Sayegh, Senior Scientific Advisor to the Director.

In his opening keynote address, H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, highlighted Dubai's proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing upon his role as Chair of the Dubai COVID-19 Command and Control Center. He emphasized the significance of collaboration and working together in a coordinated approach toward advancing healthcare solutions.

He said, “We are proud to host healthcare leaders from all around the region and the U.S. for the Research and Public Health Priorities in the MENA Region conference here in Dubai. A new frontier of opportunities has been created since the COVID-19 pandemic, and now, more than ever, we stand at the cusp of a transformative era, where not only do we reflect upon lessons learned but also to chart new territories in a conducive environment that nurtures collaboration across the entire region and beyond. As Dubai’s first integrated academic health system, we believe that through uniting efforts, we advance health and shape a brighter future for all.”

In his opening remarks, DCM Gaudiosi stated, “Supported by the U.S. COVID-19 response supplemental funding and facilitated by the support of the U.A.E government and the U.S. diplomatic missions in the region, our gathering today focuses on health security, preparedness, and response—a testament to our shared priorities and our collective will to invest in healthier futures.”

Indeed, many of the participants were on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic – from clinicians, incident managers, and leaders in local, national, and global response. It was evident the importance of partnership, sharing of accurate information, forecasting and analytics to inform decision making, and health communications in protecting health not just in emergencies, but also in mass migration events and outbreak response. The conference concluded with energized participants with new and strengthened relationships and ideas for collaboration to predict, prepare, and be ready to respond to the next health threat.

Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) proudly celebrated its students’ successful participation in the international ‘Design for Change’ bootcamp organized by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia. Held in Malaysia and Singapore, this event brought together students from diverse disciplines, including engineering, medicine, and design, to collaboratively develop innovative and sustainable solutions to global healthcare challenges.

MBRU’s inaugural participation was marked by significant achievements, with two students earning awards for Best Pitch and Best Strategy. These accolades underscore the exceptional talent nurtured at MBRU and highlight the university’s commitment to fostering innovation in healthcare.

Dr Yacine Hadjiat, leading Innovation in Health Science and Digital Health at Dubai Health and Associate Professor at the College of Medicine at MBRU shared, “The international bootcamp provided an unparalleled opportunity for our talented MBRU students to experience global diversity in healthcare. At Dubai Health, we see the immense value of providing such opportunities to our students, as we believe that healthcare is a global and collaborative sector that greatly benefits from multidisciplinary innovation. Our participation reinforces Dubai Health’s commitment to elevating healthcare standards by exploring new technologies and approaches that put the planet and our patients first."

More than 100 students from nine universities across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and the UAE, were challenged to address critical issues in sustainability and healthcare. The students showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills by developing and pitching their own projects. They also had the opportunity to visit various healthcare facilities, learn from experts, and actively collaborate with peers.

Maryam Alabdullah, a medical student at MBRU said, "The Design for Change bootcamp opened my eyes to the possibilities of innovation and collaboration in healthcare. I learned a lot from the different speakers, mentors, and peers who shared their insights and experiences with us. One of the highlights was visiting Taylor's University in Malaysia, where we learned how they use virtual reality.”