Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health, the United Arab Emirates’ healthcare regulator and Israel’s Kahn Sagol Maccabi Research and Innovation Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding to increase cooperation in technological innovation and healthcare research in Abu Dhabi.
“In Abu Dhabi, we strongly believe in the power of collaboration across all levels, especially in an industry such as healthcare where partnerships birth breakthrough treatments and innovations,” Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, undersecretary of the Department of Health—Abu Dhabi, said in a statement on Jan. 31.
“We are confident that the newly signed MoU will yield fruitful results within the field of technological innovation—setting the stage for a future driven by healthcare technology, innovation, and artificial intelligence.”
The Department of Health hopes the agreement will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a life sciences hub by enhancing innovation, healthcare services, and treatments available to patients in the Emirates, according to the statement.
The deal establishes a research ecosystem and a framework to promote the latest innovations. It will also support innovators in conducting proof-of-concept projects and implementing their solutions in both the UAE and Israel.
“I find this collaboration to be a step forward in accomplishing our goal to build a health innovation ecosystem and to promote the health and wellbeing of all community members around the world,” said Dr. Tal Patalon, head of Maccabi Healthcare Services’ Kahn Sagol Maccabi Research and Innovation Center.
“This is a historical opportunity to leverage cutting-edge knowledge and technological innovation to create a better future,” she added.
Also at the signing ceremony were Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Amir Hayek, Israeli Ambassador to the UAE, and Liron Zalansky, consul general of Israel in Dubai.
The MoU was signed by Patalon and Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, executive director of the Research and Innovation Center at the Department of Health.