Emirati Genome Programme Announces Strategic Collaboration With Saudi German Health

The Emirati Genome Programme, a pivotal national initiative designed to construct a comprehensive genetic map for UAE citizens, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Saudi German Health. This collaboration aims to broaden the scope of sample collection sites across Dubai, enhancing the programme's capacity to develop advanced preventive and personalised healthcare solutions. UAE nationals are now invited to contribute to this endeavour by visiting Saudi German Hospital locations in Dubai, Ajman, and Sharjah.

This initiative stands as a cornerstone of the National Genome Strategy, marking its place as one of the world's most extensive population genome projects. A notable achievement of this programme is the collection of 500,000 samples, a testament to its scale and ambition. The project leverages cutting-edge genetic sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence, facilitated by M42 through its Omics Centre of Excellence. This centre is not only the largest but also the most technologically sophisticated omics facility in the region, aimed at bolstering the medical database and fostering scientific research and healthcare innovation in the UAE and beyond.

Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, President of Saudi German Health, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. He stated that as a leading hospital in the UAE, they are dedicated to positively impacting public health. Their full cooperation with the project management is set to drive public awareness and enhance sample collection efforts across the Emirates.

The ultimate goal of the Emirati Genome Programme is to decode the complete genome of UAE citizens. This will enable researchers and medical professionals to uncover the causes of genetic diseases, identify various genetic mutations, and predict susceptibility to certain diseases. Such insights are crucial for developing more effective treatment and preventive strategies.

Dr. Ahmad Al Awadhi, Senior Community Outreach Director at Emirati Genome Programme, M42, expressed pride in this partnership. He noted that as they aim to collect 1 million samples and expand across the UAE, collaborating with Saudi German Hospitals will significantly improve programme awareness, outreach, and participation at convenient locations for citizens.

The programme is focused on precision medicine initiatives that promise to elevate public health standards in the UAE. It also aims to solidify the country's leading position in global genomic research and innovation. Through such collaborative efforts and technological advancements, the Emirati Genome Programme is set to make substantial contributions to healthcare in the UAE and beyond.

With inputs from WAM