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."

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.”

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.