MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the stage is set for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW), a landmark event poised to bring together health ministers, policymakers, innovators, researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Hosted by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, ADGHW will witness a true gathering of pioneering minds and a powerful network of 5,000 attendees, 1,000 delegates, 200 speakers, and 100 exhibitors.
Under the theme “Transforming the Global Health Ecosystem: From Healthcare to Health”, the event aims to galvanise global leaders to forge strategic partnerships, exchange groundbreaking ideas, and collectively envision a brighter future for the health ecosystem worldwide.
In a press briefing held on Wednesday, representatives from the DoH and ADGHW outlined the core objectives of the event scheduled to take place from May 13 to 15, 2024, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, said: “Under the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, we seek to proactively address current and future challenges, promote research and innovation, and spearhead global collaboration for a healthier tomorrow. Stemming from this commitment, we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s leading organisations, innovators, and disruptors. As part of the year-round, always-on platform for action and collaboration, this three-day event promises to fuel dialogue, anticipate future healthcare demands, and embrace the paradigm shift from reactive to proactive care with an ultimate goal of co-designing a healthcare system which is outcomes-focused and equipped with sustainable, innovative, and agile infrastructure.”
H.E. Dr. Al Ghaithi added: “We look forward to welcoming the global healthcare research, innovation, and investment communities in Abu Dhabi to create and together achieve a bold, collective vision for a brighter future of global health.”
During the press briefing, Dr. Al Ghaithi highlighted the universal nature of health challenges, stressing the need for collaboration.
“Health-related issues can affect each one of us, regardless of our age, gender, nationality, social background, or even profession. This is why collaborating and looking for ways to keep optimising solutions for the healthcare sector is both a personal and a professional priority,” she said.
“When it came to tackling the pandemic, which was one of the most significant global healthcare challenges at speed and scale, it was evident that years of research, innovations, and medical breakthroughs were critical to equip us with the right knowledge and remoteness to response. However, truly, it couldn’t happen without collaborating together and sharing a clear common goal and vision. This global approach reinforced the importance to keep finding and creating opportunities for continuous shared discussion and creative approaches to help us anticipate any healthcare future challenge,” Dr. Al Ghaithi added.
She also noted her conviction in the inevitable transition from “healthcare to health”, advocating for a paradigm shift towards proactive measures and holistic wellbeing. “Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week will play a crucial role in bringing together healthcare stakeholders to ensure the continuity of these global conversations and the smooth transition from healthcare to health,” she remarked. She stressed that ADGHW will serve as a perpetual platform for open, inclusive exchange and joint action in the healthcare domain, driving impactful solutions to tomorrow’s challenges today.
Salman Abou Hamzeh, Senior Vice President of dmg events, said: “As we prepare to welcome global healthcare visionaries to Abu Dhabi for Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week, we stand at the forefront of a transformative era in healthcare policy, regulation, and experiences. Our unwavering commitment to proactive collaboration, innovation, and global partnerships underscores Abu Dhabi’s steadfast dedication in welcoming all to address present-day challenges and enabling a healthier tomorrow. The upcoming edition is a testament to our shared mission in accelerating the future of global healthcare, driving substantial progress for tomorrow.”
During the press briefing, Abou Hamzeh provided insights into the scale and scope of ADGHW. With an expected attendance of 5,000 global participants, including delegates, exhibitors, and sponsors, the event is poised to be a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. The comprehensive agenda spans seven tracks of conferences, featuring sessions on precision and personalized health, digital health and data, policy and governance, new models of care, and innovation and technology.
Also speaking during the event, Rami Adwan, Office Director of Media Relations & Corporate Communications at the DoH, stressed the universality of health challenges and opportunities, transcending geographical boundaries. He further highlighted the transformative potential of leveraging technology, innovation, and global partnerships to shape the future of healthcare.
Matthew Miller, Senior Managing Director at Teneo, shed light on the “Health Leaders Forum”, a pivotal component of ADGHW. The forum, scheduled for the opening day, will facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues aimed at formulating actionable strategies to address pressing global health challenges. With over 60 speakers from diverse backgrounds, the forum promises to foster impactful discussions under the overarching theme of transforming the global health ecosystem.
As the world grapples with evolving health challenges, ADGHW promises to chart a course towards a future where health transcends boundaries and becomes a shared global priority, through fostering collaboration and innovation.
“Held with and for the world, ADGHW will facilitate conversations to find solutions to the most pressing global healthcare challenges, and to foster actionable strategies to address critical issues through cross-sector collaboration. In addition to sparking innovation, the curated sessions encourage the participation of those who positively influence humanitarian relief and promote or support philanthropic efforts,” the DoH – Abu Dhabi said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
On the inaugural day of ADGHW, the programme kicks off with the Health Leaders Forum, set to welcome approximately 200 VIP guests including ministers, public officials, CEOs, international investors, innovators, and heads of multilateral organisations. This gathering will convene leading experts from diverse fields such as science, health, and medicine to address the evolving landscape and challenges of global health. The insights gathered from these discussions will serve as the cornerstone for developing strategies and a comprehensive plan, encapsulating the pivotal takeaways and policy suggestions emanating from the Forum.
Spanning the three-day event, the Future Health Summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and dialogues revolving around pivotal themes central to the healthcare industry. These discussions aim to foster impact at individual, community, and global levels, covering a spectrum of topics from Artificial Intelligence (AI) to microbiomes, regenerative medicine, longevity, genomics, and the burgeoning realm of preventative and precision medicine, according to the DoH – Abu Dhabi.
The DoH is collaborating with key strategic partners within the healthcare ecosystem, including the event’s Foundation Partner M42 and other leading healthcare ecosystem sponsors, PureHealth, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Burjeel Holdings, GSK, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi,Novartis, Viatris, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and many more to bring the vision of better health to life.