Today's Edition
DUBAI (WAM)
The National Centre for Health Research (NCHR) has organised the UAE’s first Clinical Research Forum to enhance research and clinical trial capabilities across both government and private healthcare sectors.
Held as part of the Ministry of Health and Prevention's (MoHAP) ongoing efforts to reinforce the UAE’s leadership in health and medical research, the event was staged in collaboration with strategic partners from health authorities and academic institutions as well as the private sector.
Key participants included the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, SEHA - Abu Dhabi Health Services Co., Dubai Health Authority, and Dubai Health, Emirates Health Services, alongside academic institutions and several private sector companies, demonstrating a strong shared commitment to institutional integration and partnerships within the UAE’s health sector.
The forum brought together a group of medical and health science researchers, academics from higher education institutions, health research specialists from ministries and private entities, doctors in postgraduate training programmes, and graduate students in medical and health sciences.
The event comes a few months after MoHAP launched the first health research platform in the GCC and Arab world earlier this year to provide interactive, reliable data on published health research, supporting researchers and institutions in developing studies and advancing research and development plans.
The forum discussed current capabilities in interventional or observational clinical research, highlighting the expertise of researchers and the resources available in academic institutions, healthcare providers, and the private sector.
It showcased ongoing efforts by researchers to present and discuss their work, foster communication among the research community, and encourage collaborative research in specialised clinical fields.
Under-Secretary of the MoHaP, Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, stressed that the UAE is committed to creating a supportive environment for national talent capable of developing innovative solutions to diseases.
“We are also committed to boosting the competitiveness, adaptability, and efficiency of the health sector, in line with the nation's strategic priorities and goals for the UAE Centennial 2071, which envisions an effective and sustainable health system that meets global standards of innovation and leadership.”
Dr. Al Olama noted that the Ministry plays a vital role in empowering the National Center for Health Research to carry out strategic research and development objectives.
He noted that through coordination and collaboration, the National Center for Health Research seeks to foster integration between academic and scientific institutions, healthcare providers, and the private sector, adding that the Ministry is moving forward in line with the UAE’s ambition to strengthen its competitive position in global health research and innovation indicators.
Meanwhile and in his opening speech, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, said that through this forum, the Ministry seeks to boost health and medical research in the UAE by supporting health research, especially clinical ones, to contribute to the development of research, innovations and investment in medical technology, thereby enriching medical knowledge in the UAE community.
Al Amiri added that the rapid growth in health research across the UAE is a key driver for improving future health services.
This progress, he pointed out, supports an integrated system for early disease detection and prevention, built on the latest global standards for transparency.
This approach helps develop innovative, sustainable solutions that enhance the quality of life for everyone in the UAE.
Dr. Al Amiri highlighted that the forum offered a unique opportunity to explore future health capabilities, opportunities, and challenges, emphasising the importance of advancing clinical research through a cutting-edge system that keeps pace with the latest global developments.
He emphasised that the Ministry adopts a comprehensive strategy to advance medical and health research, prioritising precise and specialised treatments to achieve the best health outcomes for the community, in line with the UAE's vision to establish a world-class health system.
Director of the National Centre for Health Research at the Ministry, Dr. Khalil Qayed, said, “Through this forum, MoHAP looks forward to assessing the current state of clinical research and the capabilities of health and research institutions, as well as staying updated on the latest development in medical scientific research. We also aim to adopt best international practices to enhance scientific research strategies.”
He highlighted that the Center introduced the National Strategy for Health Research in 2021 and subsequently organised several key events, including the Strategic Directions Forum 2021, the first scientific conference for health and medical research in 2022.
It also launched a comprehensive report on the nation’s health research landscape in 2023.
Dr. Qayed added, “Earlier this year, the Center unveiled the Health Research Platform—the first of its kind in the GCC and Arab regions—providing data and insights from reliable sources on health research published by academic institutions, healthcare facilities, and the private sector across the UAE."
He emphasised that the forum provided an ideal platform for reviewing capabilities in the fields of research and clinical trials, enhancing cooperation and partnerships between public and private health sectors and academic institutions, and advancing the health research system in the country.
He also highlighted the importance of adhering to health research ethics, maintaining scientific integrity, transparency, and responsibility throughout all stages of health research, adding that such principles support the continuous development of a research-based health system, foster innovation and knowledge, and contribute to improving the quality of life in the country.
Dr. Qayed noted that the centre follows a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy to develop national capabilities in health research.
This strategy involves creating an environment that fosters innovation in clinical research within the country, supporting skill development, and building competencies.
It also focuses on enhancing the research culture to align with the best international practices, thereby strengthening the UAE's position as a dynamic participant in the global health research arena.
The research papers, presented by academics and researchers from academic institutions and both public and private healthcare services in the UAE, explored a broad spectrum of topics within clinical research.
These included studies on obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, infectious and environmental diseases, neuroscience, and mental health, as well as issues related to women’s and children’s health, innovative cancer treatments, and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
