The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the healthcare regulator of Abu Dhabi, has formed the first Emirati Advisory Doctors Committee comprising DoH executive leaders and 14 renowned Emirati clinicians and researchers from leading healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi.

The committee, chaired by His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH, aims to create an ongoing platform for dialogue between DoH and on-ground practitioners to collectively evaluate the dynamic healthcare landscape and identify opportunities for improvement in key medical disciplines. The medical disciplines include oncology, diabetes, primary care, gynaecology, infant health, mental health, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, orthopaedic surgery, emergency medicine, internal medicine, genetic and genomic medicine and cosmetic surgery. Also serving on the board of the committee as Deputy Chairman is Her Excellency Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH.

By fostering a two-way communication channel, the committee enables DoH to gain valuable insights into the challenges faced by healthcare providers and allows practitioners to provide feedback on new standards and guidelines. As researchers and experts in their fields, committee members will provide strategic insights on research, innovation and industry trends that aim to shape the future of healthcare in the emirate, raise the standard of care and treatment for patients, and further position Abu Dhabi as a global healthcare research and innovation hub.

His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH, said: "The establishment of the Advisory Doctors Committee marks a significant step forward in our mission to create a healthier Abu Dhabi and to raise the profile of the emirate’s healthcare sector on a global level. By regularly convening with some of the brightest minds from our world-class healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi, we ensure that our guidelines and standards are meticulously informed by the latest research and invaluable on-ground insights to facilitate more seamless and effective implementation. The collaborative endeavour is ultimately poised to significantly enhance patient outcomes, elevate the standard of care, and ensure a superior healthcare experience for all Abu Dhabi residents and visitors."

The committee held its first meeting and set the stage for quarterly gatherings to highlight industry trends and challenges and seek feedback on how new guidelines and standards can help enhance the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi. Committee members, carefully selected to represent diverse healthcare specialties from leading facilities in Abu Dhabi, are as follows: Dr Ghadeera Saeed Al Mansoori, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) Abu Dhabi; Dr Khaled Al Dahmani, Medicine Endocrinology, Chair of Department at Tawam Hospital; Dr Abdulla Alhmoudi, Emergency Medicine Physician at SSMC; Dr Ahmed Abdul Karim Al Hamadi, Consultant Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Tawam Hospital; Dr Fayez Ibrahim Al Shamsi, Consultant Internal Medicine and Critical Care at Tawam Hospital; Dr Ahmed AlMaazmi, Consultant - Paediatric and Neonatology at SSMC; Dr Humaid Obaid Bin Harmal Al Shamsi, Consultant and Director of Oncology services at Burjeel Holdings; Dr Amal Mohamed Al Tenaiji, Metabolic Genetics Consultant at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Dr Mohamed Yahya Alseiari, Consultant Nephrology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Dr Muqdad Al Hammadi, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Elyzee Hospital, Abu Dhabi; Dr Yaaqoub Al Hammadi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer/Chief of Orthopaedics Department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City; Dr Ali Alshamsi, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Head of Cardiology and Chair of Internal Medicine Department at Tawam Hospital; Dr Shamsa Abdul Mannan Al Awar, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Tawam Hospital; and Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at Sakina Mental Health and Well-being Services.

In collaboration with healthcare specialists across Abu Dhabi, DoH aims to further strengthen its regulatory framework while empowering healthcare professionals to actively participate in shaping the future of healthcare in Abu Dhabi. The initiative aligns with DoH's overarching goal of maintaining the physical and mental well-being of the community through comprehensive and agile healthcare services.