The newly established Dubai Academic Health Corporation held its first Board of Directors meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in the presence of Vice Chairman His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed thanked HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the trust he has placed in each member of the Board. He stressed the importance of working as a team to achieve the Corporation’s goal of advancing health in the emirate through an integrated academic health system. As part of the leadership’s vision to make Dubai the world’s best city to live in, the Corporation will map out a strategy to establish a new globally-benchmarked healthcare model that synergises clinical care, medical education and scientific research, he added.

HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening Dubai’s healthcare services. He also outlined how partnerships and collaborations have allowed Dubai to become a global benchmark in its response to the pandemic, stressing the pivotal role of integration between health services and scientific research. The establishment of the Corporation will improve outcomes of the health system through a human-centred evidence-based approach.

The Board appointed Dr. Amer Sharif to lead the transition to an integrated academic health system. The members also endorsed a road map and an operational framework for the Corporation over the next six months, which requires joint efforts and alignment of strategic goals to create a positive shift in the healthcare ecosystem in line with the Corporation’s objectives to further enhance the quality and efficiency of health services.

Dr. Sharif expressed his immense gratitude to HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed and HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed for entrusting him with the new role. He said that he will work closely with the Board and all relevant stakeholders with one team spirit to ensure the successful implementation of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s directives, which puts the health of individuals first.

The Corporation is tasked with enhancing patient access to health services in the emirate and ensuring a sustainable sector in accordance with the highest standards and best practices. The new body also seeks to develop, attract and retain exceptional medical and research talent, promote Emiratisation in various healthcare fields, and provide a supportive environment for scientific and clinical research that improves health outcomes for individuals and communities. Furthermore, the Corporation will work on attracting strategic investments in life sciences, promoting research and innovation in health and biomedical sciences, and supporting Dubai’s knowledge-based economy.

The Corporation will support and develop healthcare services and raise the level of readiness and competitiveness of Dubai’s health sector in the prevention and treatment of diseases and epidemics in line with the world’s best health systems. It will also enhance the emirate’s position as a global hub for medical and life sciences, a destination for health and medical tourism, and a leading centre for medical education, research and scientific innovation. Members also discussed the goals of the Corporation stipulated in Law No. (13) of 2021, establishing the Dubai Academic Health Corporation.

The Dubai Academic Health Corporation Board members include HE Awad Seghayer Al Ketbi; Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg; Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani; Dr. Amer Sharif; Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali; Professor Ian Andrew Greer, Mohammed Hassan Al Shehhi; and Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi.