A new government-led conference and event with a mission to enhance healthcare practices in the United Arab Emirates and beyond is set to debut later this month. Bringing together leaders, researchers, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from across the global healthcare and life sciences ecosystems, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW) is an initiative created by the Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi to explore just what the public needs to improve their own health.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the three-day event, from May 13-15, promises to explore “cross-collaboration, future healthcare demands, and embracing the paradigm shift from reactive to proactive care”.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH Abu Dhabi, said that the city is keen on attracting leading policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs who will make a difference to the population. “Our ultimate goal is to co-design a healthcare system which is outcomes-focused and equipped with sustainable, innovative, and agile infrastructure,” Dr. Al Ghaithi said. “We are very keen to deliver the outcomes of ADGHW to the public, because our discussions [will] impact the population globally, not just in Abu Dhabi or the UAE. We are confident we have much to contribute,” she continued, citing how the population can take ownership of their health through personalized medicine-based on genetic screenings or wearables data. “We need to show how wearables are linked to their health and demonstrate the benefits they derive from a healthcare perspective.”
Citing the ongoing Emirati Genome Programme, a study which aims to explore the genetic makeup of Emirati nationals using DNA sequencing and artificial intelligence, Dr. Al Ghaithi explained how a future where every individual had their genetic information on their medical record would make a difference for how they receive treatment. An individual’s genetic makeup can affect how they respond to a medication, for example.
“When it comes to genomics, it may be entirely new to many,” she continued. “What is DNA? What is the genome? How can it predict diseases like cancer in the future? It’s crucial for policymakers and investors who support affordable, accessible care to engage in these discussions.”
