Dubai Health announced a strategic partnership between Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., aiming to bring about a significant shift in pediatric healthcare.

The announcement follows a series of mutual visits. In the latest such visit, Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, led a delegation to the headquarters of Children’s National Hospital. The visit included a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and the Children’s National Research Institute, during which both sides discussed ways to further strengthen their strategic collaboration.

Partnership of 8 years

For over eight years, the partnership has focused on technology, specialized pediatric training, and improving healthcare quality for children. The expanded collaboration will now include several key areas, such as advanced systems development, data management, and increased access to pediatric care through innovations such as remote patient monitoring. Additionally, comprehensive and specialized training programs will be launched for healthcare professionals at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital. Starting next year, a cohort of medical professionals will receive advanced training, integrating best practices and innovative care models from Children’s National Hospital to further elevate pediatric care standards.

“Together, we are deepening our shared commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, President and CEO of Children's National Hospital. “This collaboration is about more than just exchanging knowledge – it's about building sustainable, innovative solutions that will improve health outcomes for children, both in the UAE and globally. We want to ensure every child receives the highest quality of treatment, no matter where they live.”

Leadership’s support highlighted

Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, said: “We are honored to visit the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, affiliated with the hospital, where the support of our wise leadership in fostering innovation and scientific research is evident both locally and internationally. I extend my deepest gratitude to the government of the UAE for providing us the opportunity to strengthen ties with the most prestigious health and scientific institutions in the world. This has opened new avenues for collaboration and created new opportunities for effective, impactful partnerships.

“Strengthening our partnership with Children’s National Hospital, one of the world’s leading pediatric institutions, underscores our commitment to advancing children’s health through our integrated academic health system. The collaboration aligns with the Dubai Social Agenda 33 and is aimed at building an efficient healthcare ecosystem that meets the highest global standards. It also reinforces Dubai’s position as a global leader in healthcare, medical education, and scientific research.

“We extend our gratitude to Children’s National Hospital for their invaluable collaboration in strengthening this partnership. Through this alliance, we aim to enhance children’s care with an evidence-based approach, aligning with Dubai Health’s core value of putting the patient first throughout the healthcare journey,” he added.

Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi, Deputy CEO of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and Latifa Hospital, added: “The strengthening of our partnership with Children’s National Hospital will continue our work to elevate the standard of care for children in Dubai and beyond. Specifically, it will enable us to enhance operational efficiency, particularly in pediatric subspecialties, ensuring the best possible care for every child.

“We will also work closely with the Children’s National Hospital on leadership training, quality improvement, intensive care practices, and other areas to enhance the efficiency of pediatric care at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital.”

In 2018, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital signed a health information technology (IT) agreement with Children's National Hospital. Leveraging its extensive expertise and resources, Children’s National Hospital served as a strategic advisor, helping Al Jalila Children’s Hospital expand its health IT capabilities to deliver the highest quality of care for children. Building on this collaboration, another agreement in 2022 focused on education and consulting services, resulting in Children’s National Hospital conducting specialized training for cardiac ICU nurses, significantly enhancing Al Jalila Children’s Hospital’s clinical capabilities.

In celebration of World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29, Dubai Health has announced the launch of the 2024 edition of the ‘Nabadat’ campaign. This long-standing campaign is dedicated to providing life-saving heart treatments for patients with congenital heart defects, reflecting Dubai Health’s commitment to putting patients first in all its endeavors.

Now under Dubai Health, the campaign has expanded to include adults, reaffirming its commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare for all. Driven by the Al Jalila Foundation, which leads Dubai Health’s giving mission, and in partnership with The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, the 2024This year, the campaign aims to provide life-saving treatment for 50 patients in need of cardiac care. Specialized medical teams in Dubai Health Hospitals will perform critical cardiac surgeries and catheterizations for children and adults who cannot afford treatment for congenital heart defects.  By delivering comprehensive care, including surgeries and post-surgical support, Nabadat continues to transform lives and bring hope to families in need.

Since the campaign's inception, Nabadat has delivered over 2,500 free surgeries, 6,000 medical tests, [AA1] and compassionate care across 45 treatment campaigns in nine countries with the support of over 300 healthcare professionals.

Salih Zahir Al Mazrouei, Director General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, said, “This campaign is a practical embodiment of our wise leadership's directives in providing essential treatment for children suffering from congenital heart defects worldwide. Nabadat was launched in Dubai as a charitable and compassionate campaign to treat children's hearts, both domestically and internationally. We aspire to treat the maximum number of children and adults across various regions globally to fulfil this ambitious humanitarian vision.”

Al Mazrouei emphasized that the foundation covers all costs associated with the operations conducted during campaigns held within and outside the country, providing the necessary logistical support to cover treatments for as many children as possible. He explained that since its inception, the Nabadat campaign has expanded and carried out 45 campaigns in nine countries. The campaign has performed free surgeries for children both within the UAE and abroad, focussing on the areas with the greatest need.

, Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of the Al Jalila Foundation, said, “We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment for their continuous support of this campaign, whose long-standing partnership over the years reinforces the values of patient care and community service. At Al Jalila Foundation, we take great pride in leading Dubai Health’s giving mission which is centered around transforming lives. This year's Nabadat campaign, launched under Dubai Health for the first time, stands out as it has expanded to include both adults and children in need, ensuring that no one is left behind in receiving essential cardiac care. It reflects our broader commitment to making healthcare accessible to all, reinforcing our 'Patient First' promise.”

Speaking on World Heart Day, Salem bin Lahij, Director of Patient Care Programs at Dubai Health, said, “The Nabadat campaign represents hope and opportunity for families in need. Under Dubai Health, critical cardiac surgeries and catheterizations have been performed at Dubai Hospital and Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, delivering comprehensive, compassionate care that transforms lives and creates brighter futures. Each year, we strive to expand our reach, and by extending the campaign this year, we have underwent surgeries to 25 more children and adults, aiming to treat a total of 50 patients by the end of the year. We are proud of what this campaign has achieved so far, and we will continue our commitment to utilizing all resources within our healthcare system to provide the highest levels of care."

A high-level delegation from Dubai Courts visited Dubai Health to gain insights into Dubai’s first integrated academic health system and discuss opportunities for cooperation.

Led by H.E. Professor Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director General of Dubai Courts, the delegation included senior officials from Dubai Courts. They were warmly received by Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), along with other senior representatives in Dubai Health.

The visit, held at MBRU, featured a briefing about the evolution of Dubai’s healthcare sector from 1970 to the establishment of Dubai Health. The delegation also toured several research centers and attended part of MBRU’s Cancer Research Conference.

Commenting on the visit, H.E. Professor Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi said: “Our visit to Dubai Health offered valuable insights into how Dubai Health is advancing healthcare, enriching medical education, and developing specialized medical professionals. At Dubai Courts, we firmly believe in collaborating with institutions to promote sustainable development across all sectors, ultimately improving the quality of community services and enhancing well-being.”

“The strategic partnership between government and academic entities is critical to achieving Dubai’s developmental goals. This visit reinforces our commitment to working with organizations that benefit our communities. We are confident that such efforts will enhance Dubai’s status as a global hub for innovation, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Dubai Health and other key stakeholders.”

Dr. Amer Sharif said, “We were honored to welcome H.E. Dr. Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi and the delegation from Dubai Courts. We thank them for their visit, which underscores the importance of collaboration between Dubai Health and various government entities. This visit provided an opportunity to showcase Dubai Health’s journey as an integrated academic health system. By working collaboratively across sectors, we aim to achieve shared goals that benefit the community and enhance the quality of life in Dubai, ultimately upholding our ‘Patient First’ promise.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, welcomed the international crew of Expedition 69, the 69th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), during their UAE tour.

The event took place at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and was attended by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) team led by His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of MBRSC, besides the Dubai Health team, including students and scientists who had been working closely with the MBRSC and Emirati astronaut Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi on research projects aboard the ISS. Dr. Hanan Alsuwaidi, Chief Business Officer of Dubai Health and the UAE’s first flight surgeon, was reunited with the crew.

Expedition 69 showcased the collaborative benefits of space exploration, bringing together seasoned astronauts from around the globe including Roscosmos’s Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitri Petelin and Andrey Fedyaev, NASA’s Frank Rubio, Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, along with Dr. Al Neyadi, who undertook the longest Arab space mission in history, and Hazza Al Mansoori, the UAE's first astronaut and the Increment Lead of Expedition 69.

His Excellency Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of MBRU, expressed immense delight in welcoming the astronauts. “We are proud to host the distinguished crew of Expedition 69 that includes Emirati astronauts Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori. This historic gathering of all eight astronauts in the UAE is a grand moment for our nation and today’s visit highlights our longstanding relationship with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in our commitment to advancements in science and fostering a knowledge-based economy.

“We are proud of the groundbreaking work and the impact of Emirati astronauts Sultan Al Neyadi and Hazzaa Al Mansoori, who have inspired our young generation to dream big and believe that the sky is no longer the limit. Their remarkable efforts will shape the future of space exploration,” HE Dr. Sharif said.

His Excellency Al Marri said: “We thank Dubai Health for hosting the crew of Expedition 69 and our astronauts for this event. The collaboration with MBRU and the invaluable contributions of Dr. Hanan Alsuwaidi, the UAE's first flight surgeon, have been fundamental in ensuring the health and safety of our astronauts. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to pioneering medical advancements that not only benefit space exploration but also enhance healthcare on Earth. We hope today’s session inspired the younger generation to pursue space exploration and also instills in them the spirit of human curiosity and resilience that propels us towards a brighter future."

The event offered a unique meet-and-greet opportunity with all eight astronauts of Expedition 69, who returned to earth after a historic space exploration recently. The crew shared anecdotes about their experiences, discoveries, and the bond that developed during the course of their mission. The astronauts also toured MBRU upon the conclusion of the event, spending time at the Simulation Center and the Space Lab and interacting with students from the Space Medicine Club.