Latest news with #GlobalHealthWeek
Al Etihad
08-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Investment Office to expand San Francisco office to attract further US investment into the emirate's health sector
8 May 2025 16:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced plans to expand the operations of its office in San Francisco to support the global expansion of Abu Dhabi's economic clusters. At an epicentre of health tech, biotech, and venture capital, the expansion of the San Francisco office will promote Abu Dhabi's fast-track clinical validation and regulatory pathways to serve as a launchpad for global innovation in healthcare, as well as other priority Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine cluster (HELM), launched in April 2025 by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, is projected to contribute $25.6 billion to Abu Dhabi's GDP, unlock 30,000 new jobs, and attract $11.5 billion in investment by Cluster, tapping growth opportunities in the global healthcare market, which is projected to reach $25.3 trillion by 2045, will be a key area of focus for the San Francisco office. One of the largest global health innovation initiatives of its kind, HELM leverages Abu Dhabi's strengths in genomics, population health intelligence, AI in healthcare, and regulatory agility. ADIO office will enable US-based startups and scaleups to join other leading US healthcare firms, such as Insilico Medicine and Innovaccer, in expanding to Abu announcement was made as part of a high-level delegation visit to San Francisco, led by the Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, to strengthen strategic partnerships and hold meetings with decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and representatives of leading institutions in the health technology and innovation sector in the of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, said, 'ADIO's office in San Francisco is more than a presence, it's a platform for investment matching, market entry, and long-term growth. By expanding our operations in San Francisco, we're not only opening new doors to Abu Dhabi's business ecosystem, we're building two-way bridges for capital, innovation, and impact across multiple innovation-driven sectors.'His Excellency Al Mansoori said, 'The future of health cannot be built in isolation; it must be co-created. The expansion of ADIO's office in San Francisco will give health innovators, and entrepreneurs the opportunity to build, test, and scale solutions with Abu Dhabi, for the world. As a Living Lab for real-world health innovation, backed by agile, innovation-focused regulations, capital and infrastructure, we offer a platform where global ideas can scale and create impact.' Announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025, the HELM cluster serves as a launchpad for health and life sciences companies seeking to tap into strategic capital with partners in Abu Dhabi, fast-track market validation through Abu Dhabi's digitally integrated clinical trial and regulatory infrastructure, simultaneously access and expand across two high-value markets—the US and the Middle East, collaborate with leading UAE-based research institutions and healthcare providers and scale globally with bespoke advisory and partnership support.
Al Etihad
06-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
AI will not replace healthcare professionals, it will ‘amplify their impact'
7 May 2025 00:59 TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)Burjeel Holdings has emphasised that artificial intelligence (AI) is there to 'amplify the impact of healthcare professionals, not replace them,' with the goal of streamlining operations and enhancing the patient proliferation of AI has seen the transformation of industries and economies — with the automation of tasks, functions and jobs previously performed manually by healthcare sector is no exception. At the recent Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, leading UAE healthcare group Burjeel announced an innovative partnership with pioneering US-based firm Hippocratic AI, aimed at revolutionising healthcare by employing generative AI 'agents'.Generative AI is a category of AI techniques in which algorithms are trained on data sets that can be used to generate new content, such as text, audio or 'agents' will be able to engage in 'natural, safety-focused, human-like conversations' through the integration of 'multilingual, empathy-driven' AI, Burjeel said. Functions of AI AgentsThe AI would perform clinical and administrative functions, delivering 'real-time, culturally aware support across a wide range of patient touchpoints, including appointment scheduling, patient education, health risk assessments, and follow-up check-ins.' Hippocratic AI's agents are versed in over 15 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese, as well as localised dialects like Emirati AI will be deployed across key specialities, such as oncology, cardiology, neurology, and said the capabilities of the agents extended beyond mere chatbot conversations.'The technology goes far beyond basic chatbot interactions, supporting a wide range of functions. Examples include conversational outreach on care gap closure for underserved communities, ongoing check-ins and patient education for chronic conditions, medication adherence support, including refill reminders and education. 'In many cases, this outreach would not have been possible before due to clinician shortages. Hippocratic AI helps augment clinicians where and when it's needed most,' said Michelle Machon, Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Professional Development at Burjeel. Empathetic AI Agents The vision for the collaboration is to harness cutting-edge technology to deliver 'hyper-personalised, compassionate' care, according to John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings. But is it possible for tech to be empathetic? Munjal Shah, Co-Founder and CEO of Hippocratic AI, added: 'Our empathic genAI agents are designed to create a more compassionate and effective patient experience.'But how do you train AI to be 'sensitive' when interacting with human clients? 'Hippocratic AI's generative AI agents have unlimited patience,' explained Machon. 'They never rush a conversation no matter how many questions are asked or how long a response takes. They are non-judgmental. These agents strive to understand the individual, not just the condition. Their empathy shines in sensitive, high-impact moments — whether it's checking in during recovery or offering support during a heat wave or cold snap.' Ethics and Limitations of AI AgentsA report published by the World Health Organisation, titled 'Ethics and governance of artificial intelligence for health: Guidance on large multi-modal models', outlined the consensus on ethical principles for the use of AI in health. These included: • Protecting autonomy: Humans should remain in control of healthcare systems and medical decisions. Data privacy and confidentiality to be protected by valid, informed consent through appropriate legal frameworks for data protection. • Promoting human wellbeing, human safety and the public interest: Designers of AI to satisfy regulatory requirements for safety, accuracy and efficacy for well-defined uses or indications. Measures of quality control in the use of AI over time should be available.• Ensuring transparency, 'explainability' and intelligibility: AI technologies should be intelligible or understandable to developers, medical professionals, patients, users, and regulators. • Fostering responsibility and accountability to ensure that AI is used under appropriate conditions and by appropriately trained people. • Ensuring inclusiveness and equity: AI is designed and shared to encourage the widest possible, appropriate, equitable use and access, irrespective of age, sex, income, race, ethnicity, ability or other characteristics. AI to be available for use not only in high-income settings but also in low- and middle-income countries. • Promote AI that is responsive and sustainable: AI technologies to be consistent with the wider promotion of the sustainability of health systems, the environment and said Burjeel adopted a safety-first approach in the design of their AI system. And while their health services have seen a marked increase in AI integration, the expertise and accountability of their qualified healthcare professionals remained indispensable and of paramount importance.'Hippocratic AI is deeply committed to safety and clinical appropriateness, in line with the 'Do no harm' value. They do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. These are complex, high-stakes decisions that require the expertise and accountability of licensed clinicians. 'Generative AI is a force multiplier, augmenting workflows, improving patient adherence, and providing outreach, while respecting the irreplaceable judgment of human caregivers. Hippocratic AI generative AI agents cover patient-facing, non-diagnostic tasks,' she added.
Al Etihad
27-04-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City signs agreements for multi-sector collaboration in education, sustainability and clinical advancements
27 Apr 2025 17:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) has signed four strategic agreements during its participation at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. The coming together of multi-sector initiatives – from both the public and private sectors – demonstrates a leadership approach to forming robust integrated ecosystems that advance patient agreements were signed with local and global entities, including the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Cedars-Sinai, Northwestern Memorial Healthcare (NMH), and AstraZeneca. Each agreement signals SSMC's proactive approach to combining the unique attributes they bring, uniting efforts for a more comprehensive advancement strategy for the healthcare creating healthcare collaborations from a diverse range of governmental and private sector entities, SSMC's series of coordinated agreements will align to form the platform for an ever-growing ecosystem that, ultimately, advances excellence in all aspects of nature of the agreements with MoFA, Cedars-Sinai, and NMH serve to enhance multiple operational aspects of healthcare delivery, covering collaborations in medical education and training, employee health and wellness, and the development of clinical programmes and these alliances, SSMC's contribution to medical education initiatives will ensure healthcare professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills necessary for the delivery of high-quality patient care. Comprehensive employee health and wellness collaborations will also foster a culture of wellbeing and preventative care, while the enhancement of clinical programmes and services will significantly expand treatment options, introducing new therapies and specialised interventions that address a broad spectrum of health challenges. This proactive approach will also facilitate visiting consultants from international institutions, enriching the expertise available to contrast, AstraZeneca's initiative focuses on sustainability, marking the UAE's inaugural programme dedicated to the recycling of asthma inhalers. Advancing sustainability efforts reinforces SSMC's ongoing pledge to environmental stewardship, integrating eco-friendly practices that not only improve healthcare delivery but contribute to the well-being of the local communities it Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at SSMC, said: 'Signing these four MoUs is not just fundamental element of our international strategy, it is a strategic step to create a planned holistic ecosystem of healthcare-related collaborations.'Working with esteemed organisations such as MoFA, AstraZeneca, Cedars-Sinai, and NMH are central to our mission of delivering exceptional healthcare to our patients. They also empower us to respond effectively to the evolving and future needs of our patients and enhance the overall patient experience while they are on their wellness journey, at SSMC.' The announcements build upon the hospital's existing collaborations, such as its recent agreement with Abu Dhabi University to shape and develop education for future healthcare leaders. Such alliances further enable SSMC to expand its services and capabilities, adopting an environment of shared knowledge and expertise that drives innovation across all facets of its healthcare offering.
Khaleej Times
21-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE doctor who went viral for brave stance during Covid returns after 20 years
An Emirati oncologist who went viral in 2020 for deciding to stay in the US to treat Covid patients and not leave has returned to his homeland after 20 years of living abroad. And he has two key missions: Reduce the cost of one of the most expensive cancer treatments and remove misconceptions around the scary 'C word. ' The first thing Dr Ajlan Al Zaki noticed in his patients here in the UAE was an instilled fear of cancer. 'It's okay to say the C word. A lot of patients come in and they hear the word cancer and that brings in fear. There are concerns, and understandably so. They just want to make sure that they're okay. That sort of awareness needs to be spread out where cancer is not necessarily a bad word,' he told Khaleej Times. Another thing he noticed in patients here was how everything was taken at face value. 'We tend to use Dr Google or AI,' Al Zaki said. 'I need to tell my patients don't believe everything you read online. Please don't do it. You can Google a little bit, but don't believe everything you read online.' Dr Al Zaki, a triple board-certified haematologist and oncologist previously based out of the US, went viral during the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020 after the UAE government called on its citizens abroad to return home, but he decided not to leave and to stay in order to perform his duty as a doctor and treat infected patients. Currently, he is director of Burjeel Haematology Oncology and Cellular Therapy Centre and a specialist in CAR-T cell and Advanced immunotherapies. 'The UAE has supported me during this whole time. I was going through my personal journey of developing experience and getting that experience where I felt like I would be comfortable enough to bring everything back,' Al Zaki said. More affordable CAR-T cell therapy Today, the haematologist-oncologist is continuing his path of helping cancer patients by reducing the costs of one of the most personalised and expensive cancer treatments–chimeric antigen receptor CAR-T cell therapy. This type of treatment involves genetically engineering a patient's T-cells and training them to recognise a specific marker on a cancer cell and then fighting those off once given back to the patient. Because this treatment is so personalised, the costs of treatment are significantly higher. One single infusion could cost a whopping $1 million. During the first day of the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week event, which ran from April15-17, Burjeel Holdings announced its partnership with Caring Cross, a US-based non-profit, to reduce the costs of CAR T cell therapy treatment by up to 90% compared to international costs. 'It could be up to 90%, where that bar is going to be in the UAE, we don't know. But I know for sure that we can provide it at a lower cost than what's commercially approved,' Al Zaki said. Al Zaki explained that the reason why costs may be reduced by that much is due to the technology offered by Caring Cross to locally manufacture the cells. 'When you're making the CAR-T cells, when you're programming the CAR-T cells, think of it as downloading software on your iPhone. So, you have your iPhone, which is your T cells, and you want to upgrade your iPhone, you have to download software,' he said. Al Zaki continued: 'It's the software sometimes which can be really expensive. And so, what Caring Cross does is they make the software, and they provide it at a significantly reduced cost. And we use that software to then upgrade the T cells.' 'I want people to have access to these kinds of therapies anywhere in the world. That's why we went into medicine,' he said. From engineering to medicine After starting his academic journey as a chemical engineer, Al Zaki came across a professor who suggested that he tries to do some research. At the time, Al Zaki had plans to work for one of the oil companies in the UAE. However, that eye-opening conversation prompted him to switch course and turn to research as a career path. 'The idea of cancer always intrigued me at that time. How do we diagnose it? How do we treat it? What are new ways that we are using to prevent it from occurring in the beginning?' he said. Six years and a PhD in research later, Al Zaki decided that medicine was his true calling and pursued medical school. In 2012, when his grandfather was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, Al Zaki grew inspired to help people when they are at their worst, whether it be medical or emotional support. He said that despite the condition his grandfather was in, he knew how important it was to just be present. 'I read once that sometimes the best therapy that you can give to a patient that's not administered by way of mouth or way of the vein, is really through the way of the ear. Sometimes [words of comfort are] the strongest therapy you can give to someone.'
Al Arabiya
17-04-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
US plans to cut billions in healthcare funding present an 'opportunity' for UAE, says CEO
Trump administration plans to scale back billions in government funding for healthcare, research, and disease control and prevention, represent both a challenge and opportunity for the UAE, says the CEO of Abu Dhabi's M42. 'Whatever is not being done in the US, we will do it here in Abu Dhabi,' Hasan Jasem al-Nowais told Al Arabiya's Hadley Gamble on Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. The message comes as the Trump administration looks to enact sweeping reforms of US government-backed health agencies. Moves that have already caused concern amongst global health experts who fear downsizing could impact the fight against disease and the prevention of future pandemics. According to reports, $40 billion, or one-third of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discretionary budget, National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding would be cut by $20 billion in 2026, a 40 percent reduction overall, with 27 current divisions absorbed into 8, and 4 eliminated completely. But even while acknowledging the cuts, the CEO and President of Cleveland Clinic, USA, pushed back on claims that the President is defunding the NIH. 'It's not defunding the NIH,' Dr. Tom Mihaljevic told Gamble. '[Right now], for every dollar used for research areas, there's 60 percent of overhead. And this has been in place for such a long time that nobody ever questioned it.' he said. Speaking alongside al-Nowais in Abu Dhabi, Mihaljevic sought to downplay the real world impact the administration's proposals might have, framing the move as an attempt by the White House to cut out wasteful spending. 'I think there is a reasonable case to be made about how… we allocate the research dollars, and can we use them more efficiently. Do we really need to use 60 percent overhead for every dollar that is issued? I think that's a legitimate question.'
