The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, have raised more than AED15 million to fund healthcare research and innovation initiatives in Abu Dhabi.

The accomplishment follows the recognition garnered during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2024, highlighting the close partnership between DoH, Ma’an and key community supporters.

The initiative is part of DoH’s ongoing commitment to transforming the regional healthcare landscape by leveraging science and technology. DoH has launched numerous programmes to support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in solving healthcare challenges. These efforts continue to solidify Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for life sciences and an incubator for healthcare innovation, ensuring the health and well-being of community members in the emirate and beyond.

As part of its vision to shift from reactive to preventive healthcare, DoH has identified several priority research areas including cell and gene research, precision medicine, neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases, cancer diagnosis and treatment, behavioural health for People of Determination, emergency preparedness in emerging infectious diseases, longevity and life extension studies, smart hospitals and clinics, telemedicine and metabolic syndromes.

Her Excellency Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, said: “DoH remains dedicated to working with its distinguished partners across the sector to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global life sciences hub and incubator for healthcare innovation. We recognise the vital role that research and innovation play in enhancing the healthcare systems’s effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring best-in-class and timely care for all community members.

Acknowledging funding as a potential challenge to healthcare research, the department remains committed to addressing this obstacle through the launch of programmes and initiatives in collaboration with local and global partners. These efforts aim to create a robust culture of research and innovation within the sector, supporting projects that address pressing healthcare issues. We will continue to strengthen ties between healthcare institutions, academia and global collaborators engaged in clinical research and trials. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to enhance partnerships between healthcare institutions in the UAE and international collaborators engaged in clinical trials. These collaborations will empower healthcare providers and professionals to transition their pre-clinical research into practical applications and initiate clinical trials.”

DoH is recognised regionally and globally for its pivotal role in enabling research and innovation across various fields such as artificial intelligence, medical devices, telemedicine, digital platforms, big data, assistive technologies, wearable devices, and augmented virtual reality.  DoH has successfully incubated over 85 startups, collaborating with local and global partners to further develop Abu Dhabi’s thriving health-tech hub ecosystem.

DoH regularly launches dedicated research grants to support researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. These grants provide an opportunity for institutions and individuals to secure funding of up to AED2 million for their projects, helping to generate knowledge and address critical challenges that will shape the future of healthcare for generations to come.