Latest news with #NationalGenomeProject
Daily Tribune
17-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Health Sector Celebrates Major Achievements and International Recognition
Bahrain's Minister of Health, Dr. Jalila bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan, highlighted the remarkable achievements made by Bahrainis across various sectors, especially in healthcare. She emphasized that these successes reflect a strong, ongoing commitment to development that strengthens the kingdom's position and supports its comprehensive progress under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Dr. Jalila praised the dedicated efforts of healthcare and administrative teams, whose work has played a vital role in raising the quality of services for both citizens and residents. The minister made these remarks during a meeting attended by Dr. Asad Hafeez, Acting WHO Representative in Bahrain, along with public health officials and teams that recently received local and international awards for leading healthcare projects. Among the honored were the National Genome Project team and the Organ Donation Platform team, recognized locally, as well as the National Influenza Center and the National Measles and Rubella Elimination Program, which received international awards. Dr. Jalila expressed great pride in these accomplishments, noting they are the result of ongoing guidance from the Supreme Council of Health and strong partnerships with international organizations, especially the World Health Organization. Recently, the Ministry of Health won two awards at the Bahrain Digital Content Awards 2025 for the Organ Donation Platform "Min Man Ahyaha" and the registration of participants in the National Genome Project under the 'Health and Wellness' category. These initiatives were praised for their positive impact on improving health prevention and providing advanced digital health services. The minister also commended the National Influenza Center at the Public Health Laboratories for receiving its 12th consecutive World Health Organization external quality assessment certification in influenza and COVID-19 virus detection, showcasing Bahrain's high laboratory standards. Additionally, she praised the National Program to Eliminate Measles and Rubella for renewing its international certification from the WHO, confirming the kingdom's ongoing success in eradicating these diseases through effective vaccination programs and advanced epidemiological surveillance. During the meeting, Dr. Jalila stressed the importance of building on these achievements by continuing to embrace innovation, digital transformation, and the development of national talents to ensure the sustainability of Bahrain's healthcare excellence. The honored teams expressed their gratitude to the minister and health officials for their support, pledging to maintain a united effort to serve the community's health and achieve even greater national and international successes.
Biz Bahrain
13-07-2025
- Health
- Biz Bahrain
Health Ministry launches advanced clinical training programme on genomic result return in collaboration with Harvard Medical School
The Ministry of Health has launched an advanced clinical training programme on the return of genomic results, in collaboration with the International Centre for Genetic Diseases (iCGD) at Harvard Medical School. The programme involves the participation of various medical specialities and healthcare institutions across the Kingdom of Bahrain, aiming to build national medical capacities and equip them with the latest information and global best practices in support of the National Genome Project. Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hassan, Minister of Health, emphasised Bahrain's commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector and improving service quality by continuing to develop diagnostic and therapeutic services in precision medicine and genomics. She noted that the initiative is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. She emphasised the importance of specialised training in the return of genomic results and its impact on enhancing the skills of the national health workforce, enabling the effective use of genomic medicine to improve healthcare outcomes. Dr. Lulwa Showaiter, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Health, said that the project is a key step toward implementing precision medicine in Bahrain. She noted the ongoing development of physicians' skills in analysing and delivering genomic results with clarity and professionalism, contributing to the core objectives of the Bahrain Genome Project and establishing a future oriented medical practice. Professor Alireza Haghighi, Chief Executive and Founding Director of the iCGD at Harvard Medical School and the Principal Investigator (PI) and Director of the National Genome Project of Bahrain, highlighted the importance of the collaboration. He noted that returning genomic results is a central component of genomic medicine and expressed pride in partnering with the Ministry of Health to deliver specialised training for physicians in this field. Amjad Ghanem, Chief of Public Health Laboratories, said that the Bahrain Genome Project is a comprehensive national initiative led by the Ministry of Health. It encompasses several pillars, including mapping Bahrain's genetic landscape, clinical applications, policy development, capacity building, and the development of genomic infrastructure, ultimately aiming to establish personalised medicine and deliver measurable health outcomes at both individual and community levels. The training programme brought together professionals from various healthcare specialities in Bahrain and included a series of scientific sessions delivered by international experts in genomics. Key topics included the fundamentals of genetic testing and its integration into healthcare. The National Genome Project was launched in 2019 in two phases: the first focused on sample collection, while the second involved the analysis and study of genetic mutations in the Bahraini population, linking them to phenotypic traits and producing clinical genomic reports. To support capacity building, a national delegation from the National Genome Centre was sent to Harvard University in the United States to benefit from global expertise. The Bahraini team received specialised training in advanced genomic sequencing, biological data classification, clinical analysis, scientific data interpretation, and genomic data management. BNA (R)
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt launches ‘Sports Genome' phase of national DNA project
Egypt has launched the latest phase of its National Genome Project, turning its focus to athletes as part of a broader effort to harness genetic science for health improvement and sports development, officials announced Sunday. The announcement came during a high-level event marking the conclusion of the Sports Genome Project and the start of the 'Gene-Next' testing phase. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the initiative represents a leap forward in preventive healthcare and personalized athletic training. 'By decoding the genetic blueprint of Egyptians, we can not only enhance athletic performance but also improve public health and reduce the burden of disease,' Abdel Ghaffar said. He was joined by the ministers of youth and sports, higher education, and senior representatives from the presidency and armed forces. The Sports Genome Program, he added, marks a strategic shift in how Egypt approaches health and human development—leveraging DNA analysis to tailor training, nutrition, and recovery programs based on an individual's unique physiological traits. Youth and Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy said the 'NEXT GENE' initiative opens a new chapter in Egypt's athletic development. 'It allows for the creation of personalized training plans aligned with each athlete's genetic potential, helping to prevent injuries and optimize performance from an early age,' he said. Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour described the project as the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, with government funding of EGP 2 billion. He called it a milestone in Egypt's transition to a knowledge-based economy and a cornerstone of the country's Vision 2030 strategy. Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din emphasized the national genome project's broader scientific significance, especially in the fight against diseases such as cancer. 'We are conducting this work with precision in collaboration with Egypt's leading universities and research institutions,' he said. Major General Mohamed El-Gohary, Director of the Armed Forces Center for Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine, reaffirmed the military's support for the project and its ongoing role in the implementation phase of the sports genome initiative. The event was attended by former ministers, university leaders, senior military officials, and prominent sports divs, including the president of Egypt's Paralympic Committee and the former president of Zamalek SC. The Sports Genome Project forms a core component of Egypt's broader National Genome Initiative, which aims to build a comprehensive genetic database to support early disease detection, personalized healthcare, and performance optimization. Officials say the initiative reflects a growing shift toward data-driven, individualized approaches in both medicine and elite sport.
Daily News Egypt
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt launches ‘Sports Genome' phase of national DNA project
Egypt has launched the latest phase of its National Genome Project, turning its focus to athletes as part of a broader effort to harness genetic science for health improvement and sports development, officials announced Sunday. The announcement came during a high-level event marking the conclusion of the Sports Genome Project and the start of the 'Gene-Next' testing phase. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said the initiative represents a leap forward in preventive healthcare and personalized athletic training. 'By decoding the genetic blueprint of Egyptians, we can not only enhance athletic performance but also improve public health and reduce the burden of disease,' Abdel Ghaffar said. He was joined by the ministers of youth and sports, higher education, and senior representatives from the presidency and armed forces. The Sports Genome Program, he added, marks a strategic shift in how Egypt approaches health and human development—leveraging DNA analysis to tailor training, nutrition, and recovery programs based on an individual's unique physiological traits. Youth and Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy said the 'NEXT GENE' initiative opens a new chapter in Egypt's athletic development. 'It allows for the creation of personalized training plans aligned with each athlete's genetic potential, helping to prevent injuries and optimize performance from an early age,' he said. Higher Education Minister Ayman Ashour described the project as the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, with government funding of EGP 2 billion. He called it a milestone in Egypt's transition to a knowledge-based economy and a cornerstone of the country's Vision 2030 strategy. Presidential Health Advisor Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din emphasized the national genome project's broader scientific significance, especially in the fight against diseases such as cancer. 'We are conducting this work with precision in collaboration with Egypt's leading universities and research institutions,' he said. Major General Mohamed El-Gohary, Director of the Armed Forces Center for Medical Research and Regenerative Medicine, reaffirmed the military's support for the project and its ongoing role in the implementation phase of the sports genome initiative. The event was attended by former ministers, university leaders, senior military officials, and prominent sports figures, including the president of Egypt's Paralympic Committee and the former president of Zamalek SC. The Sports Genome Project forms a core component of Egypt's broader National Genome Initiative, which aims to build a comprehensive genetic database to support early disease detection, personalized healthcare, and performance optimization. Officials say the initiative reflects a growing shift toward data-driven, individualized approaches in both medicine and elite sport.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Analysis: How the UAE sees AI
No country has embraced the potential of artificial intelligence as fully or intentionally as the UAE, incorporating the technology into its identity as part of a broader effort to create the 'algorithmic state.' The UAE's approach is rooted in something deeper than innovation. With only 1.5 million citizens, it is challenging for the Emirates to compete directly with most developed states, but it can outmaneuver them. And AI is the solution. The UAE has been working on an AI policy for eight years. Abu Dhabi appointed an AI minister and developed a national strategy in 2017. The government and private sector have poured tens of billions of dollars into data centers, AI startups, and large language models. This technology is embedded in everything from government services and lawmaking to public health. The National Genome Project has already sequenced more than half of the citizen population, and AI is being used to personalize care. In education, AI has now become part of the K–12 curriculum. These days, one of the US's most powerful geopolitical bargaining chips is access to its advanced microchips. The US is leveraging its lead to show the world that countries aligned with Washington's thinking can benefit from this technology. In a region rife with security challenges, the fact that technology is at the forefront of US President Donald Trump's agenda during his visit to Abu Dhabi signals the UAE's priorities and ambitions. The US is expected to change the Biden administration's chip policy and begin negotiating with trusted partners on a bilateral basis. This move will be welcomed by industry giants like Nvidia, which have advocated for greater access to the UAE. Concessions are likely to be made to firms such as Abu Dhabi's MGX, which is investing in US AI infrastructure. In addition to improving its native capabilities, the UAE is looking to deepen its partnership with the US, where it has committed to $1.4 trillion in investments over the next decade. Abu Dhabi is already collaborating with US tech companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI, all of which are eager to expand in the region. Artificial intelligence complements the fast-paced and business-forward government in the UAE. The technology can accelerate returns from Abu Dhabi's existing investments in space, nuclear, financial services, and blockchain. Like all bets, committing to AI involves considerable uncertainty and risk. However, states cannot afford to be cautious. Access to hardware alone is not the challenge — states must keep up in a rapidly developing sector. AI is exponential: the more you have, the faster you can develop. Once states reach a critical threshold where AI assists in designing better AI, those that lead in the race will be nearly impossible to catch. The UAE understands this. If a future arrives where AI fuels geopolitical power, small states that adopt it early may find themselves punching far above their weight. The stakes are high. While most countries view AI as a sector to regulate, fund, or attract talent to, the UAE treats it as infrastructure. In the Emirati model, AI is not just a set of technologies — it serves as a foundational layer underpinning governance, economic development, public services, and geopolitical influence. Just as oil once built the UAE's physical infrastructure, AI is now being used to prepare the UAE for the next phase of its development. The UAE is fully committed to artificial intelligence as it transforms into an algorithmic state, marking the first step in Abu Dhabi's goal of becoming a leading AI superpower.
