Dubai Health and Dubai Future District Fund Join Forces to Build a Global HealthTech Launchpad in Dubai

In line with the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 ..Dubai Academic Health Corporation and Dubai Sports Council sign MoU to boost the sports sector's support for humanitarian and charitable causes

Al Jalila Foundation, a global healthcare philanthropic organization dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) aimed at enhancing the contributions of the sports sector towards humanitarian programs and charitable initiatives.

The signing of the agreement aligns with the UAE National Sports Strategy 2031 which was recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote community well-being through sports. The Strategy seeks to foster a culture of physical activity, improve the capabilities of sports professionals, identify promising athletes in educational institutions, and modernize sports education methods and regulations.

During the ceremony, the ‘Champions of Hope’ tribute wall, dedicated to recognizing extraordinary sports personalities who have made significant contributions to Al Jalila Foundation, was inaugurated.

The inauguration of the tribute wall and the MoU signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC; Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of DSC; Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Academic Health Corporation (DAHC); Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, and representatives of DSC and DAHC.

Al Jalila Foundation has been officially designated as the charity partner of the Dubai Sports Council, marking a significant collaboration between the two entities. Together, they will embark on a series of initiatives aimed at promoting sports philanthropy and fostering a culture of sports, physical activity and inclusive participation across all segments of society.

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of the Al Jalila Foundation, said “Philanthropy possesses an extraordinary capacity to create lasting change. United by the common language of sport, the collaboration between Al Jalila Foundation and the DSC symbolizes DAHC’s unwavering dedication to elevate the overall health and well-being of people in the UAE.”

He added: “Sports provide an incredible platform to reach hundreds of thousands of individuals, promoting healthy lifestyles and generating funds for charitable endeavors. We take immense pride in the support we receive from numerous sporting legends, and it is truly inspiring to witness globally recognized athletes utilizing their influence to bring about positive change in people's lives. The Champions of Hope tribute wall will stand as a lasting testament to compassion, generosity and empowerment, leaving a legacy for future generations."

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, expressed his delight in signing the agreement with Al Jalila Foundation and conveyed his deep admiration for the remarkable societal and humanitarian accomplishments made thus far. “The role of sports has proven to be instrumental in supporting philanthropic initiatives and advancing medical research, ultimately making significant contributions to patient recovery. Sports stars play crucial roles, not only in terms of achieving outstanding results and bringing happiness to their fans, but also in actively supporting community, sports and humanitarian initiatives. Their involvement highlights the tireless efforts of national institutions, with Al Jalila Foundation being at the forefront, in making a positive impact on society.”

His Excellency added: “We have witnessed successful collaborations between DSC and Al Jalila Foundation in the past, always uniting our shared objectives of national sports, humanitarian endeavours and community service to benefit humanity.”

Champions of Hope Tribute Wall

Symbolic of the remarkable strength of community within the realm of sports, the Champions of Hope tribute wall serves as a showcase for sports memorabilia, including two Guinness World Records that were achieved through items sold at the Al Jalila Foundation charity auction in 2015. Notably, among these record-breaking items is a race helmet worn by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during his triumphant victory at the FEI World Endurance Championship in 2012, which fetched an astounding AED24 million. Additionally, the display features the exceptional AED2.4 million Al Yamamah saddle generously donated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which he rode to victory at the 2014 Altech FEI World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France.

Since its establishment, Al Jalila Foundation has been harnessing the power of sports to support its healthcare philanthropic programmes. Over the years, the Foundation has been part of iconic sporting events to help raise awareness around a number of causes. Through its engagement in these iconic sporting occasions, the Foundation has generated substantial funds to support its various programs including 7 Emirates Run, Beat Diabetes Walk, Pink is Punk.

Overall, Al Jalila Foundation has held a total of 300 sporting events and raised almost AED10 million. The latest partnership with DSC will further contribute to realizing the Foundation’s objective to transform lives through sports.

As the official Sports Ambassador for Al Jalila Foundation, the esteemed former Real Madrid footballer Michel Salgado has made significant contributions by donating his customized boots to the Foundation and fostering fruitful collaborations with renowned footballer and former Real Madrid goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, as well as esteemed corporate fundraising partners. In close partnership with Clarence Seedorf, a four-time UEFA Champions League winner, the Foundation strives to amplify awareness regarding the importance of cultivating a healthy lifestyle, especially among the younger generation.

Notably, MMA coach Javier Mendez, alongside an impressive line-up of top-tier fighters including the current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, UAE Warriors fighter Emirati Hadi Al Husseini, and the UAE's pioneering Emirati female boxer Fahima Falaknaz, have generously contributed signed items and are actively engaged in multiple initiatives in collaboration with the Foundation.

Dubai Academic Health Corporation’s vision is to advance health for humanity through the integration of care, learning, discovery and giving. Al Jalila Foundation advances DAHC’s giving mission to impact lives and shape the future of health through philanthropy.

For more information about Al Jalila Foundation please visit: www.aljalilafoundation.ae

Dubai Health has announced that its Ambulatory Health Centers, encompassing primary healthcare centers and outpatient specialized centers, as well as its hospitals have received accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) during a celebration held at the Dubai Health stand at WHX Dubai.

The event was attended by H.E. Bryony Hilless, Consul General of Australia in Dubai and Northern Emirates; Mr. Mounir Sankary, Deputy Consul General and Trade and Investment Commissioner; H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health, and Provost of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr. Muna Tahlak, Chief Medical Officer of Dubai Health; Dr. Tarek Fathey, Chief Clinical Officer of Dubai Health; and Dr. Entesar Al Hammadi, Chief of Patient Safety and Quality at Dubai Health.

This achievement reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to implementing the highest global standards in healthcare services through initiatives designed to elevate both patient and employee experience. The ACHSI assessment leveraged results from the Press Ganey Patient Survey Program, alongside the “Dubai Health Majalis: Voice of the Community” initiative, which encouraged active community participation in shaping healthcare services. Feedback was also gathered through the 04 Platform, a unified communications channel that enables customers to submit suggestions, comments, and complaints.

Dr. Amer Sharif said: “Receiving accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International represents a significant step forward in our efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as a global healthcare destination. It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, in line with our broader vision to advance health for humanity.”

He added: “This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our teams, whose efforts continue to strengthen our integrated academic health system, guided by global best practices.”

Dr. Entesar AlHammadi, commented on this achievement saying: “Securing ACHSI accreditation is a key part of Dubai Health’s strategy to pursue international endorsements. It enables us to benchmark our centers against leading global healthcare systems, which supports the continuous advancement of our services, through initiatives that prioritize both patient and employee experience.”

Dr. AlHammadi confirmed that the accreditation encompasses Dubai Health’s Ambulatory Health Centers, including primary healthcare centers and outpatient specialized centers, as well as its hospitals, all of which met comprehensive standards covering patient and employee experience, clinical service quality, education and training, support services, infrastructure, and accessibility for people of determination.

She added: “Our centers are the first in the world to receive this accreditation within an integrated academic health system, demonstrating excellence across clinical care, education, research, and patient safety.”

A History of International Accreditation
The ACHSI accreditation adds to Dubai Health’s Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, reflecting continued alignment with global best practices.
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International is one of the world’s foremost healthcare accreditation bodies. It is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the quality and safety of healthcare services worldwide.

Dubai Health and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), in collaboration with Siemens Healthineers and ArmHub, have successfully concluded “Healthcare Innovation and Sustainability Week”, bringing together healthcare professionals, academics, students, and industry leaders from Brisbane and Dubai, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing sustainability in academic health systems through applied innovation and international knowledge exchange.

Over two weeks, participants explored how technology-enabled care models, digital health, design thinking, and sustainability principles can be embedded into clinical practice.
The first week in Brisbane immersed Dubai Health professionals in Australia's academic healthcare ecosystem through symposium sessions and site visits to leading innovation facilities, including the Translational Research Institute (TRI), the Wesley Hospital, and the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct. As the industry partner for the Australia component, the ARM Hub demonstrated how robotics, automation, AI, and advanced manufacturing capabilities can support more sustainable healthcare delivery models.

The second week in Dubai shifted focus to collaborative solution development through two parallel streams. As program co-designers, Siemens Healthineers co-led the workshops, contributing specialist expertise in healthcare technology and sustainability leveraging both local and global expetise. The co-designed program between Dubai Health and Siemens Healthineers guided teams through hands-on prototyping and refinement, ensuring that ideas were grounded in practical, scalable applications.

Professor Cori Stewart, Founder and CEO of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub, Queensland University of Technology, said, “With Dubai Health, we shared how we’re getting science out of the lab and into hospitals—using robotics, automation and AI to improve care and reduce bed pressure. Brisbane company “Microbio” was a great example showcased: by integrating data and AI, they’ve cut sepsis detection time from 24 hours to just 3.”

Healthcare professionals worked on advancing sustainable approaches within academic health systems using design-led methodologies. Simultaneously, students from four UAE universities; Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, American University of Sharjah, and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, took part in the Design4Change Bootcamp to develop sustainable, patient-centered solutions.

Dr. Yacine Hadjiat, Director of The Center for Innovation and Technology at Dubai Health, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration: "We are extremely grateful to Queensland University of Technology, ARM Hub, and our program co-designer Siemens Healthineers for their partnership and commitment throughout this program. By connecting clinicians, academics, students, and industry around shared priorities, we create a stronger pathway for innovations to be refined, tested, and scaled. This program demonstrates the value of international academic health system collaboration in creating a pipeline of sustainably focused solutions that strengthen care quality and deliver meaningful impact for patients and their families."

Eng. Razan Daoud, Enterprise Services Europe, Middle East and Africa, Business Development Manager at Siemens Healthineers, reflected on the company's deep engagement: "As an end to end healthcare solutions company, innovation is at the heart of Siemens Healthineers, and it is grounded in our purpose: 'We pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.' 
She added: “This bootcamp is a powerful example of what becomes possible when an Integrated Academic Health System, a leading university, and industry come together to co-create. We are proud to support the growth of Dubai Health by helping turn bold ideas into practical, scalable solutions advancing technology-enabled care models, strengthening sustainability, and ultimately improving outcomes and experiences for patients and healthcare professionals. Most importantly, our participation reflects a long-term commitment: to keep building, with Dubai Health, a pipeline of breakthrough innovation that benefits communities today and strengthens healthcare for generations to come."