Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Becomes First UAE Hospital To Earn AAHRPP Accreditation For Research Integrity

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first research hospital in the UAE to receive full accreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). This recognition, symbolised by the "gold seal," underscores the hospital's commitment to ethical and high-quality research practices.

The AAHRPP accreditation is a testament to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's adherence to international best practices in research. It ensures that all research activities, including protocol review and participant engagement, are conducted with utmost ethical standards. This achievement highlights the hospital's dedication to protecting research participants' rights and wellbeing.

Since initiating its research programme, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has enrolled over 5,000 patients in more than 600 studies. In 2024 alone, they completed 40 studies out of a total of 256. Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, expressed pride in this recognition, stating it reaffirms their commitment to advancing patient care through ethical research.

In 2024, the Ministry of Health and Prevention named Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi as the UAE’s top research hospital for the second year running. The hospital is currently conducting 226 active research studies with support from over 200 caregivers involved in research. These efforts have attracted more than AED12 million in funding from various regulators and partners.

Dr Sawsan Abdel-Razig, Chief Academic Officer, emphasised that this accreditation makes Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi the first institution in the UAE to receive AAHRPP accreditation for its Research Ethics Committee. She highlighted that ethical research prioritises participant safety while fostering innovation.

Global Recognition and Future Prospects

The rigorous evaluation process for AAHRPP accreditation included site visits and team interviews. This process reflects the dedication of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s research teams who are shaping healthcare's future in the region. The hospital recorded the highest number of indexed publications in 2023, reinforcing its leadership in medical research.

Institutions accredited by AAHRPP span across countries like the United States, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and now include the UAE. This accreditation confirms that Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's research protections surpass internationally required safeguards.

As Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues expanding its research capabilities, this accreditation solidifies its position as a leader in ethical medical research both regionally and globally.

With inputs from WAM