DoH and ADQ unite efforts to advance life sciences and research in Abu Dhabi

11 Oct, 2022:

On the side-lines of its participation at GITEX Global Week 2022, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, signed an agreement with ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, to support Abu Dhabi’s vision in becoming a global leader in healthcare and life-sciences research and innovation.

In the presence of HE Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the MoU was signed by HE Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH and Fahad Al Qassim, Executive Director of Healthcare & Lifesciences at ADQ.

As part of the MoU, both entities will establish a steering committee to manage and monitor all projects that will fruit from this collaboration in clinical research, evidence generation and innovation by leveraging both parties’ assets and capabilities with an aim to improve synergies across the research and innovation value chain. The committee will lead the governance regime and roadmap headed by representatives from each party to work on individual workstreams in an efficient and agile manner. Furthermore, DoH and ADQ seek to elevate synergy between UAE based start-ups to improve the healthcare outcomes and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s globally competitive knowledge-based economy. DoH supports start-ups throughout the different development phases, from ideation to introduction and scaling to international markets. The Department is currently extending support to over 60 licensed start-ups and in communication with over 300 start-up companies worldwide covering healthcare digital, diagnostics, devices and drugs.

HE Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH, said: “Under the directives of our wise leadership, our collaborations with leading entities such as ADQ echo Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a leading life science destination as well as an incubator and accelerator for innovation. Through this agreement, we aim to further elevate our research capabilities to improve the resilience and sustainability of the sector which reflects on the quality of healthcare services provided to the Abu Dhabi community.”

Fahad Al Qassim, Executive Director Healthcare & Lifesciences, said: “As part of its transformation strategy that aims to further enhance the quality of the healthcare sector’s outcomes, ADQ continues to demonstrate support to renowned events such as GITEX to explore opportunities and work in unison with global strategic partners to set the stage for a future driven by healthcare technology, innovation and artificial intelligence.” 

This participation is led by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), as part of its efforts to implement a governance framework across the Abu Dhabi Government and make a fundamental change in the concept of government services, moving towards a digital future. 

GITEX Global Week is an annual event that converges the most advanced companies and best minds to deep dive into the making of the Web3 economy. The tech show will feature 5,000 companies spanning 26 halls and two million sq. ft of exhibition space. The event presents the most empowering curation ever with seven multi-tech themes experimenting in the metaverse, a decentralised future of the internet, and a sustainable global digital economy. 

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) is inviting guests to visit its stand and view the latest healthcare technologies and innovations of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector. The DoH stand is under the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) pavilion, located in Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum Hall, Stand No. 28.