Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, is making a substantial contribution to healthcare in Dubai with an AED 15 million contribution to Al Jalila Foundation, which leads the Giving mission of Dubai Health. The investment will support the development of Dubai Health’s Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, the first integrated and comprehensive cancer care hospital in Dubai, underscoring their commitment to the community’s well-being and advancing healthcare infrastructure.

DIB's contribution enables Dubai Health to launch an integrated model of cancer care at Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital. Scheduled to open in 2026, the comprehensive care hospital will provide primary care services alongside advanced cancer treatment. This innovative approach will enable earlier detection and intervention, which is proven to optimize outcomes for patients in their cancer journey. The hospital will house multidisciplinary teams, including specialized cancer nurses, offering a full spectrum of services in one location – from diagnosis to treatment to supportive care. Select treatments and services will be made available to patients in the comfort of their homes.

DIB's support for the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital aligns with Dubai Health's mission to enhance patient outcomes through an integrated model of care. By conducting on-site research and clinical trials, the hospital aims to continuously improve patient outcomes by discovering new treatments and therapies founded in evidence-based medicine. Dubai Health’s mission to connect patient care, research, medical education, and giving at Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital will set a new standard for excellence in cancer care.

Nawaf Al Rayssi, Head of Community Support Services at Dubai  Islmic Bank, said: “We are proud to partner with Al Jalila Foundation to empower Dubai Health on this transformative project. DIB’s responsible investment in the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our community. This world-class facility will undoubtedly set a new benchmark for cancer care in the region and beyond, providing hope and advanced treatment options for countless individuals. As a responsible financial institution, Dubai Islamic Bank remains committed to the transformational journey of this nation, shaping the future of the healthcare not only in the UAE, but the entire region.”

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, expressed his gratitude for DIB’s significant contribution. “Dubai Islamic Bank's generous contribution to the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital is a true testament to the power of community partnerships. This contribution to Al Jalila Foundation empowers Dubai Health to transform cancer care, putting patient care at the forefront of everything we do.  Together, we are one step closer to realizing this transformative, integrated healthcare facility, ultimately improving the health and well-being of our entire community.”

A delegation from UMass Chan Medical School, Massachusetts’s first and only public academic health sciences center, recently visited Dubai Health, solidifying a new chapter in healthcare collaboration between the two organizations. The visit, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), granted the delegation the opportunity to gain insight into Dubai’s first integrated academic health system, laying the groundwork for a productive partnership.

Inspired by UMass Chan’s reputation for impact through collaborative endeavour and aspiration to change the course of the history of disease, the partnership reflects a shared vision between the two academic health systems to advance health. Under the agreement, UMass Chan and Dubai Health will establish mutually beneficial research projects to improve patient care, create an exchange framework for learners between the two academic institutions, and drive transformative advancements for public health, both locally and globally.

Led by Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor at UMass Chan, the visit also included an opportunity for Dubai Health learners to gain insight into elective and residency program opportunities at UMass Chan.

Commenting on the partnership, Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health, and Provost of MBRU, stated, “This collaboration presents an exciting opportunity to combine the strengths of two academic health organizations. By pooling our resources, capabilities, and expertise, we are well-positioned to advance the frontier of medical knowledge that better serves our communities. The visit has been incredibly productive, laying the foundation for meaningful collaboration anchored in our shared purpose of advancing health for humanity.”

Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor of UMass Chan commented “It is a privilege, along with a group of senior colleagues, to learn more about the breadth and depth of activity taking place at Dubai Health and to forge closer relationships with its leadership. The signing of an MOU between our respective institutions is an exciting development and provides UMass Chan and Dubai Health with a framework from which to pursue meaningful collaborations and exchanges, by partnering, we do hope to advance together on behalf of the communities that we serve.”

The UMass Chan delegation included Michael F. Collins, MD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Chancellor; Terence R. Flotte, MD, Provost, Dean, and Executive Deputy Chancellor; David D. McManus, MD, Chair, Department of Medicine; Anne Larkin, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Vice Provost, and Senior Associate Dean for Educational Affairs; Lisa Colombo, DNP, MHA, RN, Executive Vice Chancellor and CEO, ForHealth Consulting; Rebekah Diamond, JD, Executive Director, Business Strategy & Operational Excellence, ForHealth Consulting; Brendan Chisholm, Vice Chancellor of Management, Chief of Staff, Office of the Chancellor.

Al Jalila Foundation, which leads the giving mission of Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, announced that Meem Foundation, a Dubai-based philanthropic organization, has generously donated AED 3 million to support medical education and treatment programs to empower women and girls.

Aligned with Meem Foundation's values of creating pathways for women and girls to achieve economic empowerment and access to healthcare, the donation is earmarked for medical scholarships for aspiring female students, providing them with the opportunity to pursue careers in healthcare and medical treatments tailored for women, including mothers and children, ensuring access to essential healthcare services.

Muna Easa Al Gurg, Emirati businesswoman, philanthropist, and founder of Meem Foundation, said: "We invest in strategic philanthropic initiatives in the MENA region to address issues impacting the lives of women and girls while helping to bridge the gender gap. Our partnership with Al Jalila Foundation is a testament to our commitment. Together, we aim to empower aspiring young women to pursue their educational goals and accelerate their medical careers. Our partnership will also support patient treatment programs for women and girls, ensuring that health is never a barrier to achieving their dreams. At Meem Foundation, we envision a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive, irrespective of the challenges they face."

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “For over a decade, Al Jalila Foundation has made a significant impact on lives through its patient treatment programs, medical scholarships and research grants. Our collaboration with Meem Foundation exemplifies the collective effort needed to deliver life-transforming health programs. The funds received will enable us to support women and girls, empowering them to step into a more promising tomorrow.”

Meem Foundation is a Dubai-based organization committed to finding innovative entrepreneurial solutions to gender inequality, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5. It is committed to creating sustainable solutions that uplift women and girls, empowering them to thrive in all aspects of life.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, was established to elevate the standard of care and to advance health for humanity. Dubai Health comprises six hospitals, 27 ambulatory health centers, 20 medical fitness centers, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Al Jalila Foundation. Through the integration of care, learning, discovery, and giving, eleven thousand employees collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to put the patient first.

For more information on Al Jalila Foundation and its programs, please visit:
https://www.aljalilafoundation.ae

Dubai Health is thrilled to announce that more than 10% of faculty members at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences have been recognized and placed on the World’s Top 2% of Scientists list by Stanford University in the subfields of Dentistry, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, Genetics & Heredity, and Gastroenterology & Hepatology. This list represents the top 2 percent of the most-cited researchers worldwide.

Moreover, MBRU takes immense pride in highlighting that Professor Momen Atieh, the Chair - Oral Diagnostics and Surgical Sciences at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine, has earned the top national position in Dentistry in the United Arab Emirates.

• Cardiovascular System & Hematology: Professor Nandu Goswami
• Dentistry: Professor Momen Atieh, Professor Keyvan Moharamzadeh, the late Professor Dimitrius Tziafas,
• Gastroenterology & Hepatology: Professor Samuel Ho, Professor Thomas Adrian
• General & Internal Medicine: Professor Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan
• Genetics and Hereditary: Dr. Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Dr. Mohammed Uddin
• Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine: Professor Stefan Du Plessis

These faculty members have demonstrated unparalleled dedication to research, education, and clinical practice, contributing significantly to the global advancement of medical knowledge. Their recognition in the Stanford University scientist rankings is a testament to the caliber of talent fostered at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

About World’s Top 2% Scientist Rankings by Stanford University
The World’s Top 2% Scientist Rankings by Stanford University is a prestigious index that recognizes the top scientists across various disciplines worldwide. Researchers are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields based on Science-Metrix's established classification, drawing from Scopus data provided by Elsevier through ICSR Lab.