The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an collaborate to launch an initiative to fund healthcare research and development in the Emirate

30 Jan, 2024:

During Arab Health 2024, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, and the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an, the government of Abu Dhabi’s official channel to receive social contributions, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an initiative to raise funds for healthcare research and development in the Emirate. With the aim of advancing the research infrastructure, the partnership seeks to finance research and innovation projects and conduct clinical trials aimed at enhancing the safety and well-being of Abu Dhabi’s community and beyond. In the presence of H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and H.E. Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, the strategic agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and H.E. Salama Al Ameemi, Director General of the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an.

The initiative is the first collaborative effort between Ma’an and DoH which is considered the region’s first to collect contributions and create a sustainable funding system for innovation within the healthcare sector. It will mobilise the private sector and the community’s contributions supporting various health issues. Additionally, the funds will be directed to research and scientific projects led by DoH and its partners in the field of research and development.

The project seeks to attract the biggest number of participants, enhance research and innovation partnerships between the private sector and academic institutions, directing contributions towards supporting scientific research aimed at creating solutions that address arising health challenges, as well as enhancing scientific research and innovation in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in terms of quantity and quality. The initiative will focus on supporting a group of priority research and innovation efforts from various fields, which include, cancer, rare diseases, infectious diseases, nervous system diseases, drug discoveries, and research based on big medical data and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) said: “Following the directives of our wise leadership, we continue to work with our partners to cement Abu Dhabi’s position as an incubator for innovation. We appreciate the Authority for Social Contribution (Ma'an)’s eagerness to share our goals and enable us to establish an innovative system in the healthcare sector. By enhancing our research and innovation efforts, expanding our clinical research, and developing intellectual property innovations in Abu Dhabi, we aim to enhance the health and well-being of community members in Abu Dhabi and beyond while continuing to improve the healthcare system and the quality and availability of its services. We look forward to working side by side with the partners in Ma’an to achieve these goals.”

On this occasion, H.E. Salama Al Ameemi, the Director General of the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma'an, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to launch this partnership aimed at supporting the development of sustainable solutions to health priorities that concern the community – a key component of Ma’an’s objectives. As Abu Dhabi’s official channel to receive social contributions, Ma'an is fully committed to sustaining Abu Dhabi's healthcare sector and actively participating in the betterment of community well-being and prosperity. Furthermore, we look forward to providing innovative opportunities to promote scientific research and solidify Abu Dhabi's global standing in this domain."

The Authority of Social Contribution Ma’an will provide an integrated platform to showcase the project’s stages, and the distribution of roles and responsibilities, and collect financial contributions in coordination with DoH. Additionally, it will work on finding appropriate means to allocate and direct those contributions to serve the project objectives.

The agreement falls within Ma’an’s framework and endeavors to enhance the accessibility of healthcare services to members of the community, through a set of initiatives that promote health and wellness, aligned with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 that seeks to elevate healthcare services in the Emirate. The efforts translate the Authority's keenness to address the priorities that concern members of the community within the areas of health, environment, infrastructure, and education in Abu Dhabi, by enabling third sector institutions, including non-profit organisations, social enterprises, and volunteers, to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that meet these priorities, most notably the areas of scientific research and the healthcare sector development.

As the official channel to collect the project’s contributions, the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an is committed to launching the fundraising campaign, managing it, and easing the necessary requirements to ensure its success, while coordinating with the stakeholders. The Authority works according to a strategy that seeks to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as an ideal place to do business, invest, live, and work, by accelerating the pace of development in the Emirate and supporting the economic development. In addition to creating a positive social impact that enhances the quality of life for citizens and residents by enabling social institutions and private enterprises to participate in building a cohesive and cooperative community.

Arab Health is the largest medical exhibition in the Middle East and is taking place this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 29 January to 1 February 2024. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) is inviting guests to visit its stand and view the latest healthcare technologies and innovations in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector. The DoH stand is under the “Emirates Health” Pavilion, located in Hall 5, Stand B10. To learn more about DoH’s participation in Arab Health 2024, please visit: https://www.doh.gov.ae/en/Arab-Health-2024 Donations can be easily made through https://fundraise.maan.gov.ae/en or Ma’an’s mobile app operation on iOS and Android.