Arab Health 2024

Arab Health 2024

Abu Dhabi's Latest Healthcare Projects

Oncology precision medicine Flagship

The oncology flagship program is an integration of precision medicine and the Emirati genome project as a tool for early detection and treatment optimization in cancer patients.

Premarital genetic screening flagship

Premarital genetic screening is becoming an integral part of mandatory premarital screening. The genetic test looks at 570 genes that are linked to more than 840 severe autosomal recessive diseases which are relatively common conditions in the UAE due to the high rate of consanguinity. Expected outcomes are a reduction in the incidence of births of children with autosomal recessive disorders each year.

Pharmacogenomics

Malaffi: Pharmacogenomics program (Implementation and prevention ) The program aims to revolutionize the way medications are prescribed and consumed. The program is for EGP participants and serves as a roadmap to more effective and safer medication management. The report explores the interplay between a person’s genetic makeup and their response to medications. Pharmacogenomics empowers providers to understand how unique genetic variants may influence drug metabolism and efficacy by delving into an individual’s genetic profile. Moreover, it can guide treatment decisions to improve patients overall health.

Emirati Reference Genome Platform

The Emirati Reference Genome Programme (ERGP), a project being conducted in collaboration with M42 and Khalifa University, is a single consensus-based genomic blueprint that represents the genetic diversity of the Emirati population. The platform would be publicly available and would be used to highlight genetic variants that are unique to the Emirati population.

UAEHFS – CRISPR

The UAE Heathy Future Study (UAEHFS) is the signature study of the Public Health Research Center (PRHC), New York Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), that has recruited approximately 15,000 Emirati Nationals with the goal of improving the health of the population of the UAE through research. A main goal of this study has been to collect data on health behaviors (e.g., socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle habits), biological samples (e.g., blood and saliva), and physical measurements, becoming an invaluable and unique resource to address health-related research questions tailored to the Emirati population.

DOH Health Emergency Management Model

Center of Emergency Preparedness & Response (CEPAR) Empowered by the DoH, CEPAR safeguards Abu Dhabi's healthcare against any medical event, from single cases to mass casualties. Established in 2021, they forge resilience through policies, strategies, and standards. Guided by five core values – Resilience, Integration, Excellence, Agility, and Unity of Effort – CEPAR holds supreme authority for emergencies. Their integrated model, encompassing Governance, Coordinated Command, Streamlined Emergency Services, Enhanced Hospital Preparedness, and Supportive Infrastructure, ensures swift and effective response. CEPAR stands vigilant, protecting Abu Dhabi's health, one emergency at a time.