UAE’s First Clinical Research Forum Organised By MoHAP To Strengthen Health Research And Innovation

The UAE's inaugural Clinical Research Forum, organised by the National Centre for Health Research (NCHR), aimed to bolster research and clinical trial capabilities in both government and private healthcare sectors. This event was part of the Ministry of Health and Prevention's (MoHAP) ongoing efforts to enhance the UAE’s leadership in health and medical research.

Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Under-Secretary of MoHAP, highlighted the UAE's commitment to fostering a supportive environment for national talent. "We are also committed to boosting the competitiveness, adaptability, and efficiency of the health sector," he stated, aligning with the nation's strategic priorities for the UAE Centennial 2071.

The forum saw participation from key entities like the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, SEHA - Abu Dhabi Health Services Co., Dubai Health Authority, and Emirates Health Services. Academic institutions and private sector companies also joined, showcasing a unified commitment to institutional integration within the UAE’s health sector.

Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulation Sector, emphasised that this forum aims to enhance health and medical research in the UAE. He noted that supporting clinical research contributes significantly to developing innovations and investments in medical technology.

The event provided a platform for medical researchers, academics, health specialists from ministries and private entities, doctors in postgraduate training programs, and graduate students to discuss current capabilities in clinical research. It highlighted expertise available in academic institutions and healthcare providers.

Dr. Khalil Qayed, Director of NCHR at MoHAP, remarked on assessing current clinical research capabilities through this forum. "We also aim to adopt best international practices to enhance scientific research strategies," he added.

Focus on Innovation

The forum showcased ongoing efforts by researchers to present their work and foster communication among the research community. It encouraged collaborative research in specialised clinical fields such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, infectious diseases, neuroscience, mental health, women's and children's health issues.

Dr. Qayed highlighted that earlier this year, NCHR launched the first health research platform in the GCC and Arab world. This platform provides interactive data on published health research to support researchers in developing studies.

Commitment to Ethical Standards

The forum underscored adhering to health research ethics while maintaining scientific integrity throughout all stages of research. Dr. Qayed noted that such principles support continuous development within a research-based health system.

This approach aligns with global standards for transparency and helps develop innovative solutions that improve quality of life across the UAE.

Advancing Clinical Research

Dr. Al Amiri stressed advancing clinical research through a cutting-edge system aligned with global developments. The Ministry adopts a comprehensive strategy prioritising precise treatments for optimal community health outcomes.

The rapid growth in UAE's health research is seen as crucial for improving future services by supporting an integrated system for early disease detection based on global standards.

Building National Capabilities

NCHR follows a multi-pronged strategy focusing on developing national capabilities in health research by fostering innovation within clinical studies across various fields including innovative cancer treatments using artificial intelligence applications within healthcare settings.

This strategy involves creating an environment conducive to skill development while enhancing cultural alignment with international best practices strengthening UAE's position globally within this arena.

With inputs from WAM