Latest news with #DepartmentofHealth–AbuDhabi


Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi launches Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme, recognising excellence by healthcare providers
30 July 2025 16:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has launched a new value-based healthcare initiative under its Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme, aimed at incentivising healthcare providers based on the quality of care they programme will initially focus on fertility services and is set to expand to other clinical areas in subsequent phases, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a world-class healthcare initiative is part of Abu Dhabi's continued commitment to elevating the standard of care across the emirate, where the department will monitor the performance of healthcare facilities based on specific models and facilities will be rewarded with additional incentives for achieving set performance goals within a specified timeframe, such as improving patient outcomes, utilising best medical practices, boosting patient safety, and enhancing the patient Excellency Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi, said, 'At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, we are committed to raising the bar for healthcare quality in Abu Dhabi. The launch of the Rewarding Exceptional Quality programme reflects our ambition to drive meaningful improvements in clinical performance while rewarding providers that go above and beyond in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centred care.''Fertility services were chosen as the starting point given their strategic importance to public health and the profound impact they have on families. Abu Dhabi has already made tremendous strides in advancing reproductive medicine, and this programme will help accelerate progress even further.'Abu Dhabi has become a leading destination for fertility care, driven by innovation in treatments such as egg freezing, in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and embryo 2025, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi reported that IVF success rates in the emirate exceeded 51 percent, among the highest globally, with more than 6,180 IVF cycles performed in 2024 emirate is home to 14 advanced fertility centres and more than 2,800 healthcare professionals in obstetrics and gynaecology. This includes 700 specialists and consultants, 375 midwives, and 45 facilities dedicated to women's health.


Al Etihad
14-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi launches Integrated Postnatal Care Programme to enhance maternal and infant health
14 July 2025 16:04 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has launched the Integrated Postnatal Care Programme under the Women's and Children's Health Strategy. This initiative aims to advance maternal and child health outcomes by ensuring timely, high-quality and accessible postnatal programme highlights the importance of comprehensive postnatal care and reflects DoH's ongoing dedication to advancing the health and well-being of all community postnatal care programme will integrate home visit services, telemedicine, and outpatient care, ensuring that mothers receive continuous and personalised support throughout the postpartum telemedicine session will be offered within the initial days after discharge to monitor the health and wellbeing of mothers and their ensures early detection of potential concerns, provides expert guidance and addresses any immediate postnatal questions, offering peace of mind to mothers. Mothers can also schedule visits to their nearest hospital or primary care clinic at seven to 14 days and again six weeks further support mothers with complications during pregnancies, childbirth complications, or those caring for infants with special needs, the program includes two home visits by nurses or midwives. The first visit occurs within the initial days after discharge, and the second between seven and 14 days Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) said: 'The postpartum period is one of the most physically and emotionally challenging times in a woman's life – and yet, one of the most overlooked. With the launch of this programme, we prioritise mothers and newborns by providing a robust support system that extends beyond the hospital walls. "By integrating telemedicine, in-person follow-ups, and home-based care, we deliver proactive, personalised services that empower mothers and give every child a healthier start. This is more than just a healthcare programme – it's a commitment to ensuring that every mother and child receives the highest quality of care they deserve.' Abu Dhabi's healthcare ecosystem continues to set a global standard for accessibility, innovation and excellence.


CairoScene
11-07-2025
- Health
- CairoScene
Gulf's First Robotic Lung Transplant Performed in Abu Dhabi
Two patients with progressive conditions underwent successful robotic lung transplants at the hospital. Jul 11, 2025 In a historic breakthrough for regional healthcare, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has become the first medical institution in the Gulf to perform a robotic lung transplant—making it just the fifth centre worldwide to do so. The landmark procedure marks a major advancement in the region's surgical capabilities. Two patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and secondary pulmonary hypertension—both progressive conditions that severely scar the lungs—underwent successful robotic lung transplants at the hospital. Given the complexity of the cases, which included pulmonary hypertension placing additional strain on the heart and lungs, the surgical team employed Veno-Arterial ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). This technique temporarily takes over the function of both the heart and lungs, ensuring patients' safety during the transplant. The surgeries were made possible through the vital contributions of organ donor families, with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi extending its gratitude to the HAYAT National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), and the healthcare teams at donor hospitals. Since the relaunch of its lung transplant programme in 2022, the hospital has performed over 60 lung transplants—more than any other facility in the Gulf.


Al Etihad
08-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi leads high-level delegation to US, showcasing emirate's global leadership in healthcare innovation
8 July 2025 13:10 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has led a high-level delegation on a strategic mission to the US to strengthen partnerships and showcase Abu Dhabi's excellence in life sciences and precision visit reflected the emirate's global leadership in healthcare innovation and its commitment to international cooperation to advance scientific research, innovation, and ethical medical delegation visited key US cities including Boston, Washington DC, and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world's foremost biotechnology visit spotlighted the emirate's achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research, and showcased Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, said: 'This mission demonstrated Abu Dhabi's ongoing efforts to cement its position as a global centre of excellence in health and life sciences. We are committed to fostering partnerships that advance healthcare innovation and enhance quality of life, both in the UAE and globally.'The delegation conducted more than 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the US, aimed at enhancing knowledge exchange and investment opportunities, and marked the signing of new agreements that will accelerate the adoption of advanced health mission facilitated joint actions between DoH and global organisations set to shape the future of healthcare. These alliances reinforce the Emirate's steadfast dedication to advancing health outcomes through impactful global collaborations, pioneering research and a robust infrastructure that fosters innovation, talent and investment. Key agreements and partnerships were formed with prestigious US-based peers and partners, including the University of California, San Francisco, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Abbott, Aetna International, GEMMABio and Children's National Hospital. These collaborations focus on establishing genome surgery centres, advancing vaccine development and manufacturing, integrating innovative research platforms and localising pharmaceutical production, while also expanding access to US healthcare networks, developing genomics and biotechnology research centres and launching advanced cell and gene therapy programmes for the side-lines of Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention in Boston, USA, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a flagship hospital in the UAE for serious and complex care and a subsidiary of the PureHealth group, have successfully enabled expedited access to Tremfya®, a next-generation biologic medication for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This strategic partnership marks the first availability of the treatment outside the United States, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a as a pioneering destination for healthcare innovation and advanced, patient-focused Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem, the delegation included key stakeholders such as Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD Group, PureHealth, StartAD, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and Etihad Dhabi continues to lead the region in genomics through the Emirati Genome Programme, which has successfully sequenced more than 800,000 samples, creating one of the most advanced national genomic databases. The emirate is also home to more than 90 licensed research centres and over 30 ongoing clinical trials in areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and chronic data platforms such as Malaffi, which securely store over 5 million patient records—enable AI-powered insights and real-world evidence, while national initiatives like the Golden Visa have enabled more than 2,000 long-term visas for researchers and healthcare professionals from around the world. This strategic visit reflected Abu Dhabi's broader vision for healthcare transformation—driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration.


Al Etihad
05-07-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi to partner with GEMMABio Therapeutics, advance gene therapies for children with spinal muscular atrophy
5 July 2025 19:52 ABU DHABI (WAM)The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has announced its plans to partner with GEMMABio Therapeutics (GEMMABio), a pioneering global biotechnology company dedicated to advancing global access to gene therapies for rare diseases, in collaboration with M42, a global health champion powered by AI, technology and genomics, and PureHealth, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East. The announcement follows a high-level meeting, during the BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston, between senior leaders from GEMMABio and key stakeholders from Abu Dhabi's health and life sciences ecosystem. Through this strategic partnership, the entities will jointly establish dedicated manufacturing and research centres within Abu Dhabi's academic health institutions, enabling patients from across the MENA region to access cutting-edge clinical trials and, eventually, approved gene collaboration will kick off with a clinical trial evaluating a next-generation gene therapy product in children with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), setting a precedent for expanding access to life-saving therapies Mohamed Alameri, Acting Director of Genome and Biobank Division at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said, 'Our partnership with GEMMABio marks a pivotal step in Abu Dhabi's journey to become a global leader in developing gene therapies for rare diseases leveraging the Emirati Genome Programme. At DoH, we are committed to reshaping innovation, early detection and personalised care by strengthening the Emirate's capacity to develop, test and scale innovative therapeutics. Through these efforts, we are advancing life sciences applications while offering real hope to patients and families across the region and beyond.'The collaboration will unite the shared vision and technology to further strengthen Abu Dhabi's gene therapy R&D ecosystem, and see the emirate serving as a regional hub for GEMMABio's translational and clinical research activities.A best-in-class gene therapy contract development and research manufacturing organisation will be established in Abu Dhabi as a joint venture between M42 and GEMMABio. Additionally, regional access to GEMMABio's commercialised gene products will be coordinated through Abu Dhabi's gene therapy research and treatment by the emirate's state-of-the-art infrastructure, forward-looking policies and the Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Life Sciences Cluster, Abu Dhabi is offering streamlined licensing and co-commercialisation processes, alongside co-investment schemes and tax relief for biotech startups. Together, these enablers position Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for life sciences Jim Wilson, Founder, President, and CEO of GEMMABio, said, 'This is a transformational partnership—one that will play a pivotal role in unlocking global access to life-saving treatments for patients with rare diseases. The stakeholders in Abu Dhabi are building a globally recognised gene therapy ecosystem whose impact on the future of life sciences will be both profound and far-reaching. Together, we are aligning scientific innovation with bold ambition to accelerate progress where it's needed most.'Dimitris Moulavasilis, Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, said, 'This partnership helps Abu Dhabi usher in another frontier in the future of health. With our integrated AI- and data-led ecosystem and advancements in precision, prevention, and prediction, this collaboration extends the impact of the Emirati Genome Programme into gene therapeutics targeting rare diseases."M42 is focused on developing genomic insights, fighting against rare diseases and saving lives. Our partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and GEMMABio will accelerate this effort, ensuring people in the UAE and beyond get the gene therapies they need for longer, healthier lives.'This strategic partnership reinforces Abu Dhabi's recent strides in rare disease gene therapies and precision medicine. The emirate has significantly expanded its genomics capabilities through the Emirati Genome Programme, with over 800,000 genome samples sequenced, marking one of the world's most advanced national genomic Dhabi continues to pioneer the administration of cutting-edge gene therapies, expanding access to life-saving treatments that were previously unavailable in the region. With sustained investment in research, talent, and infrastructure, the emirate is reinforcing its position as a regional leader in life sciences and medical Saif Al Qubaisi, Group Chief Operating Officer of PureHealth, said, 'This collaboration is a powerful reflection of Abu Dhabi's growing influence as a global centre for health innovation. By joining forces with GEMMABio and our strategic partners, we are not only expanding access to advanced gene therapies, but also reinforcing the Emirate's long-term commitment to solving some of the world's most complex health challenges. PureHealth is proud to contribute through its integrated research capabilities and commitment to clinical excellence, aligned with the Department of Health's vision to deliver life-changing outcomes for patients across the region and beyond.'Led by DoH, a high-level delegation embarked on a strategic mission to the US from June 15 to 21, 2025. This visit focused on knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced health solutions. Representing Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem, the delegation included key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Khalifa University, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and startAD.