"Department of Health – Abu Dhabi" Launches the Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases
SAN DIEGO, 8 July / WAM / The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the “Pure Health” group and “AstraZeneca”, announced the launch of the Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases in the emirate, according to a memorandum of understanding signed by the three parties during their participation in the World Conference of the Organization for Innovation in Biotechnology 2026, held in the American city of San Diego.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the partners will work to implement a number of main axes, including activating the center as a focal point for rare disease care, developing an integrated model for diagnosis, treatment and lifelong care, and ensuring that patients have access to specialized services in a comprehensive and sustainable manner without interruption.
The cooperation includes enhancing scientific research, clinical trials and the production of evidence based on real-world practice, in addition to education, training and capacity building to enhance local medical expertise, and establishing a common governance framework for oversight and sharing of responsibilities throughout the cooperation period.
The center constitutes a pioneering platform for diagnosis, treatment, follow-up, scientific research, education and patient care, with a special focus on rare disorders related to metabolism, kidney and blood diseases, which enhances the integration of efforts between doctors, researchers and partners of the health system to set a new standard for the care of rare diseases in the region, and reduce the social and economic burdens of these diseases on families, communities and health care systems, in a way that embodies the smart life sciences system in Abu Dhabi by accelerating the transformation of scientific discoveries into tangible health results for patients.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, confirmed that the strategic partnership with “AstraZeneca” and “Pure Health” and activating the Center of Excellence for Rare Diseases will contribute to accelerating innovation in the areas of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases, by taking advantage of the Abu Dhabi integrated health care and life sciences system and the scientific and operational capabilities of the partners, in a way that improves patient care, improves their quality of life, enhances the smart life sciences system, and consolidates the position of Abu Dhabi is a leading global center for innovation in life sciences.
Sameh Al-Fanjari, President of AstraZeneca for the Gulf Region, said that rare diseases, although they affect relatively limited numbers of individuals, leave severe impacts on patients and their families, and impose major repercussions on societies, stressing that unifying efforts with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and “Pure Health” combines global science and expertise with the advanced health system in the emirate to make a real difference in the lives of patients, and ensure that they receive the correct diagnosis as soon as possible, and appropriate care for as long as they need it.
Shaista Asif, CEO of Pure Health Group, explained that rare diseases pose great challenges represented by the length and ambiguity of the diagnosis journey, stressing that confronting these challenges requires unifying the efforts of institutions in addition to clinical excellence.
She pointed out that the partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and AstraZeneca will contribute to activating a center that brings together expertise, innovation and cooperation, thus enhancing the effectiveness of rare disease care in the UAE, and establishing an integrated model of care that contributes to improving the lives of patients and creating the future of specialized health care.
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