The National Center of Health Research at Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has organized a participatory workshop at its premises in Dubai, collaborating with strategic partners from various health authorities and academic institutions across the UAE, and an advisory team from the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) in the United States. The workshop aimed to enhance the discussion for the development of the national strategy for the future of health research.
The event, inaugurated by HE Dr. Salem Al Darmaki, Advisor to the Minister of Health and Prevention, brought together experts and representatives from both the government and private health sectors, along with professors and researchers from numerous academic institutions in the country. Discussions touched on assessing the current state of health research, its alignment with strategic goals, and forecasting future challenges and trends in this crucial sector.
The panel discussions delved into the future foresight strategy of health research, which includes setting research priorities and reviewing related policies and regulatory procedures. Discussions also involved analyzing the current situation in the country, evaluating scenarios related to the strategy, and prioritizing them with the end goal of updating the strategy to reflect the latest scientific and technological advances and to meet the long-term needs of society.
Ambitious strategy
HE Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health and Prevention, emphasized that MoHAP is committed to continuously consulta with its strategic partners from health and academic sectors. “We firmly believe that teamwork and constructive dialogue are the way forward to develop an ambitious health research strategy, which would bring about significant outcomes that can help advance the national healthcare system to meet the latest international standards.”
Al Olama noted that the new health research strategy focuses on future research approaches and incorporates benchmark comparisons with leading countries in the field. We are seeking to enhance effective health policies across a broad spectrum of critical health issues, from research targeting chronic diseases and epidemics to studies on technology applications and modern medical innovations.
He reaffirmed that the UAE is committed to refining research strategies in the health sector and boosting cooperation and knowledge exchange with academic and health institutions, as well as the private sector, both regionally and globally.
Comprehensive research framework
For his part, Dr. Khalil Qayed, Director of the National Centre for Health Research at the Ministry, stated that the workshops discussing the Future Foresight Strategy of health research aimed to consolidate efforts and align perspectives across the UAE to foster and enhance the culture of health research. We also seek to create a scientifically stimulating environment that upholds the highest international standards and bolsters the capabilities of scientists and researchers.
Dr. Qayed added that the Ministry, together with its partners from the health and academic sectors, operates within a cohesive and integrated framework not only to promote collaborative efforts, share experiences in research, and provide a nurturing environment for medical scientific research but also to devise sustainable solutions to health challenges in society. “We will therefore extend all forms of support for existing health research centers and develop policies and research ethics guidelines.”
It is worth noting that the Ministry of Health and Prevention has recently published a report on the state of health research in the UAE from 2017 to 2022. The report highlighted that the growth rate of health research in the UAE during the period surpassed the global average, with research outputs increasing by 25.2%. Furthermore, the report emphasized that 80% of the UAE's published health research was conducted in collaboration with international institutions, ranking it among the top in the GCC for joint health research endeavors.