University Of Sharjah Establishes Centre Of Excellence For Public Health To Tackle Health Challenges

The University of Sharjah (UoS) has introduced the Centre of Excellence for Public Health, a part of its Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences. This centre is designed to conduct research that aligns with national priorities and fosters collaboration among academic, health, and industrial sectors both locally and internationally. It also aims to translate research findings into practical health policies and services.

Dr. Hussein Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, highlighted the centre's crucial role in tackling current health challenges. These include non-communicable diseases and global health crisis preparedness. He spoke about this during the launch event attended by Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy, Chancellor of UoS, along with officials from the Ministry of Health and local institutions.

Dr. Al Rand stated that the centre will be a strategic partner in shaping a healthier future by supporting health policies that cater to community needs. He commended the researchers, faculty members at UoS, and partners who played a significant role in establishing this facility.

Basema Saddik, Director of the Centre, explained that it addresses public health challenges through diverse multidisciplinary research teams. These teams consist of nine groups with 40 researchers working across various fields related to public health. Their efforts focus on promoting research, education, and innovation within this sector.

Dr. Hamzah Alzubaidi, coordinator of one research team, launched an initiative called "National Campaign to Address Diabetes Stigma." This initiative marks the first step towards addressing specific public health issues through targeted campaigns.

The Centre aims to build effective partnerships between the university, government bodies, private sector, and regional organisations. It focuses on translating research into policies and practical initiatives to tackle community health issues while emphasising capacity building and community empowerment.

With inputs from WAM