Dubai Health continues to build on its "Patients First" promise with the launch of Blue Café, an initiative to improve autism care for children. Leveraging the expertise and resources within Dubai Health, the platform offers learning resources and funds research initiatives dedicated to improving autism care. Designed to be a ‘living lab’ within the community, the Blue Café is also an interactive space and supportive environment where parents and caregivers can connect, share experiences, and learn from each other.

Introduced initially as a parent support program at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, it is understood that a recent diagnosis can be overwhelming for families, often leaving them feeling uncertain and isolated. Now, under Dubai Health, the initiative aims to elevate autism care for children through active participation in the community and harnessing the inherent benefits of the academic health system. Learning experts within Dubai Health have developed concise, research-informed content on a wide range of autism care topics, delivered in a user-friendly microlearning format. These bite-sized pieces of knowledge make it easy for families to fit learning into their busy schedules. The website will also host webinars, translating the latest research insights on autism into practical care strategies for families. Beyond information, the platform also provides a safe and supportive online community forum – a virtual space for families to connect, ask questions, and share valuable insights with one another.

Connecting families, Sharing Knowledge, Transforming Care

Looking ahead, Blue Cafe is brewing something special. In the coming months, a physical café in Dubai will open its doors, offering a welcoming space for families and caregivers to gather. All proceeds from this cafe will directly fund research initiatives dedicated to improving autism care.

Speaking on the initiative, Professor Nabil Zary, Senior Director of the Institute of Learning (IOL) at Dubai Health, said, “Blue Cafe was born from a desire to support the well-being of children with autism. We are proud to launch this first-of-its-kind living lab, combining the power of research with real-world experiences from the community. Thanks to generous donor support, we can establish a physical cafe, ensuring the project's financial sustainability and continued impact.”

Visit the Blue Cafe website to explore the online learning resources and join the Blue Café community forum.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, has announced the inauguration of the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics, supported by Al Tayer Group. Located at Latifa Hospital, the new Center will manage high-risk pregnancies and deliver specialized care and monitoring for expecting mothers.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors and Dubai Health Board Member, H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer at Dubai Health and CEO of Latifa Hospital, and Mr. Ahmed Al Tayer, Director of Al Tayer Group, alongside several senior officials of both entities.

Al Tayer Group has generously contributed 4 million dirhams through Al Jalila Foundation, which leads the giving mission of Dubai Health to establish the Center in honor of Shaikha Abdula bin Kalban. This contribution aims to bolster Dubai Health's commitment to delivering patient-centered care through its integrated academic health system.

The new Center is equipped with advanced, high-precision technology to ensure comprehensive care for the most complex and sensitive cases. From pregnancy to childbirth, a multidisciplinary team of pediatric and obstetrics specialists provides continuous care and monitoring for both mother and child, aiming to minimize future health issues.

H.E. Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors and Dubai Health Board Member, commended the inauguration of the Center, stating, "We are pleased to collaborate with Al Tayer Group, whose generous donations have been fundamental in opening the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics. Through this partnership, we aim to enhance the well-being of families and contribute to the overall health of the community, in alignment with Dubai Health’s commitment to elevate the standard of care advancing health for humanity.”

Ahmed Al Tayer, Director of Al Tayer Group, said: “As a family, we are privileged to have the opportunity to give back to the UAE, a nation that continues to invest significantly in its people. Prioritizing the wellbeing of future generations, world-class healthcare is a focal point for both Dubai and the UAE. We take pride in furthering the legacy outlined by the country’s visionary leadership.”

“In line with Al Tayer’s Philanthropic philosophy to focus and support initiatives related to medical advancement and children, we are happy to support this project by Latifa Hospital and Al Jalila Foundation. The inauguration of the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics at Latifa Hospital signifies an innovative new milestone in healthcare, redefining the benchmarks of pediatric and prenatal expertise in the region. We feel confident that under the Dubai Health leadership team, the Center will not only give the patients unparalleled care but will also set the platform of future collaborative research and development in the field of prenatal pediatrics”.

Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer at Dubai Health and CEO of Latifa Hospital, said, "Equipped with the latest technology and expertise, the Center for Prenatal Pediatrics serves as a proactive response to the escalating demand for advanced prenatal care. The Center is a valuable addition to our academic health system, providing specialized care for expectant mothers and their children facing critical conditions. Moreover, the Center holds tremendous potential to emerge as a hub for discovery, fostering research and innovation specifically focused on advancing prenatal care and managing these challenging cases."

The Center for Prenatal Pediatrics will begin receiving cases on 12 February 2024.

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, held an industry briefing session on Day 1 of the 49th Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, taking place this week at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

At the session, H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, presented a comprehensive overview of Dubai's first integrated academic health system model to over 150 industry thought leaders and officials from the UAE and abroad. Drawing parallels with globally renowned institutions adopting similar models, Dr. Amer shared exclusive insights on the work being undertaken by Dubai Health. Dubai aligns with leading academic health systems worldwide, enhancing patient outcomes and promoting accessibility and sustainability within its healthcare sector.

During the session, Dr. Amer highlighted Dubai Health’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes by building local talent and fostering research and innovation. He also shed light on working collaboratively by integrating knowledge, people, and capabilities to deliver patient-centric, evidence-based care that sets new benchmarks in healthcare excellence.

Dr. Amer Sharif said: “Through a unified commitment to patient-centered care, we are not just shaping the present healthcare landscape, but also laying the foundation for a transformative future anchored in our primary value of 'Patient First.’ This commitment extends beyond the present, as we strive to create a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of our community for generations to come.”

“Central to our goals are partnerships and collaborations that amplify our efforts and catalyze innovation. By cultivating strong alliances with stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, we harness collective expertise and resources to address the present health challenges and drive meaningful change, ensuring that together we advance health for humanity.” H.E. Amer added.

Dubai Health was established to elevate the standard of care and to advance health for humanity. Dubai Health comprises six hospitals, 26 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 the first time in the UAE, the Emirates Society of Haematology (ESH), supported by Dubai Health, joined forces with the George Washington University to present the Emirates Hematology Best Practices Updates. The event was held last month and offered a thorough review course covering a wide range of topics in both benign and malignant hematology.

Distinguished speakers from top institutions delivered a series of engaging lectures and posed review board questions covering a wide spectrum of topics, including platelet and bleeding disorders, hematologic complications during pregnancy, bone marrow transplants and more. Each day, participants engaged in audience response questions and dynamic case discussions across various domains of hematology-oncology, fostering interactive and enriching learning experiences.

Dr. Asma Sultan Alolama, Program Director of the Adult Hematology Fellowship program at Dubai Health, President of ESH and Consultant Hematologist at Dubai Hospital, expressed her pride in achieving the establishment of this Best Practice Update for the UAE within an impressive timeframe of just three months. “Drawing more than 100 participants not only from the UAE but also from other GCC countries, this event stands as a significant milestone for the country and the wider region, representing the first instance of George Washington University convening course outside the USA.”

As Dubai’s first integrated academic health system, Dubai Health aims to contribute towards Dubai's pursuit of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy, supporting the growth and performance of the health sector.

Al Jalila Foundation, Emarat Al Youm newspaper, and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) Department in Dubai, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch Your Donation Saves Lives, the second edition of an initiative to support patients in need of kidney transplantation in Dubai. The fundraising campaign urges businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members to embrace the initiative and offer essential support to those in need.

The MoU was signed by Executive Director of the Charitable Sector, Mohamed Musabih

of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai; Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of  Al Jalila Foundation; and Saud Al Darbi, Head of the News and Publishing Centre at Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). The signing took place in the presence of Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health.

Al Jalila Foundation, which leads Dubai Health's giving mission, will be responsible for identifying patients within Dubai Health’s healthcare facilities, including Dubai Hospital, Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, and Mediclinic City Hospital. Al Jalila Foundation will provide the healthcare facilities with comprehensive details about the patients, their medical conditions, and the funds required for transplants and post-operative care. Furthermore, they will take measures to ensure that these cases receive timely support from the initiative.

As a strategic partner, Emarat Al Youm newspaper will be responsible for transferring donations and contributions received through a hotline service. IACAD has pledged to collaborate with all parties and distribute donations to Dubai Health patients, identified by Al Jalila Foundation.

His Excellency Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai, confirmed that signing the MoU with Al Jalila Foundation and Emarat Al Youm newspaper supports the national agenda for achieving a better life for citizens and residents of the UAE, helping to empower and further humanitarian work in line with the vision of the wise leadership for supporting the spirit of giving in humanitarian work locally, regionally, and internationally. He explained that it also encourages community members to save lives and improve the quality of life of patients with organ failure, helping them return to being productive members of society.

Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health, said, “We are grateful to our partners in this campaign, as it marks another significant step towards providing support to patients in need. Through this collaboration, we combine expertise and resources to positively impact individuals and society, advancing health for humanity. At Dubai Health, we’re guided by our primary value of ‘Patient First,’ and are dedicated to providing our communities the highest quality healthcare and treatment.”

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said, “We at the Al Jalila Foundation are pleased to launch the second edition of the ‘Your Donation Saves Lives’ campaign, aimed at raising funds for kidney transplant operations. By providing critical support for life-saving surgeries and therapeutic services, we are building on the success of the campaign’s first edition, which treated over 38 kidney failure patients and significantly reduced the financial burden on their families. This ongoing collaboration is a testament to our commitment to advancing humanitarian efforts, underscored by Dubai Health’s spirit of giving.

Saud Al Darbi, Head of the News and Publishing Centre at Dubai Media Incorporated, said that Emarat Al Youm has a history of participating in important initiatives such as Your Donations Save Lives, so deciding to participate was natural. These include a strong legacy of partnerships with governmental and semi-governmental entities to deliver community initiatives.“Based on prior experiences, the newspaper has confidence that philanthropic businessmen and community members will react to the initiative so that these patients can be treated.”

New fellowship programs in Pediatric Nephrology and Vascular Neurology 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 15 JAN 2025: Dubai Health announced the opening of registration for its graduate medical education programs, including internship, residency, and fellowship training, at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU). For the first time, fellowship programs in Pediatric Nephrology and Vascular Neurology will be offered, aiming to develop highly skilled specialists and enhance healthcare education.

Professor Sulaiman AlEmran, Dean of Graduate Medical Education at MBRU, commented: “At Dubai Health, we are committed to delivering exceptional programs that enhance the expertise and capabilities of healthcare professionals. These initiatives reflect our dedication to preparing the next generation of leaders who will contribute to the advancement of the healthcare sector, and the addition of new programs reinforces our focus on delivering world-class medical education aligned with the highest international standards.”

Currently, MBRU offers 39 graduate medical education programs, including 20 residencies, 17 fellowships, and two internships. All are accredited by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), the National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS) in the UAE, and the Arab Board of Health Specializations.

Dr. Rasha Buhumaid, Vice Dean of Graduate Medical Education at MBRU, commented: “The new fellowship programs in Pediatric Nephrology and Vascular Neurology are valuable additions to our programs offerings, reflecting Dubai Health’s commitment to an integrated educational and research environment. With plans to offer over 100 training seats annually in graduate medical education programs across various specialties, these programs align with our ‘Patient First’ promise, drive innovation in healthcare education while strengthening Dubai’s position as a global center for healthcare excellence.”

Applications for all programs are now open, as of 14 January. Interested candidates both from within the UAE and abroad can register online at www.mbru.ac.ae/graduate-medical-education.
The application deadline for residency programs is March 27, while internship and fellowship programs remain open until May 15.