The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an have successfully raised over AED15 million ($4 million) to support healthcare research and innovation initiatives in Abu Dhabi.
This follows the recognition received during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2024, emphasizing the strong collaboration between DoH, Ma’an, and key community stakeholders.
Commitment to healthcare transformation
This initiative aligns with DoH’s ongoing mission to revolutionize the regional healthcare landscape through the integration of science and technology. DoH has introduced a variety of programs designed to assist researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in addressing healthcare challenges. These initiatives further establish Abu Dhabi as a global center for life sciences and a nurturing ground for healthcare innovation, ensuring the health and well-being of community members both within the emirate and beyond.
Focus areas for preventive healthcare research
In its vision to transition from reactive to preventive healthcare, DoH has pinpointed several key research areas, including cell and gene therapy, precision medicine, neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions, cancer diagnosis and treatment, behavioral health for People of Determination, emergency preparedness for emerging infectious diseases, longevity studies, smart hospitals and clinics, telemedicine, and metabolic syndromes.
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Improving healthcare effectiveness
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of DoH, expressed the department’s commitment to collaborating with esteemed partners across the sector to further enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading global hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation. She noted the crucial role that research and innovation play in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the healthcare system, ensuring timely and high-quality care for all community members.
Addressing funding challenges in research
Acknowledging that funding can pose a challenge to healthcare research, the department remains dedicated to overcoming this hurdle by launching programs and initiatives in partnership with local and international collaborators. These efforts aim to foster a vibrant culture of research and innovation within the sector, supporting projects that tackle urgent healthcare issues. The department intends to strengthen connections between healthcare institutions, academia, and global partners engaged in clinical research and trials. Furthermore, it is committed to enhancing partnerships between UAE healthcare institutions and international collaborators involved in clinical trials, which would enable healthcare providers and professionals to advance their pre-clinical research into practical applications and initiate clinical trials.
Pioneering role in research and innovation
DoH is acknowledged both regionally and globally for its essential role in facilitating research and innovation across diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, medical devices, telemedicine, digital platforms, big data, assistive technologies, wearable devices, and augmented virtual reality. Moreover, the department has successfully incubated over 85 startups, working with local and global partners to advance Abu Dhabi’s growing health-tech ecosystem.
Supporting research through grants
Furthermore, DoH frequently offers specialized research grants to support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs within Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. Additionally, these grants present an opportunity for institutions and individuals to secure funding of up to AED2 million for their projects, helping to generate knowledge and address critical challenges that will shape the future of healthcare for generations to come.
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