On the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week,

• The entities will collaborate to develop the UAE’s first Breast Cancer Quality Improvement Programme (QiP) and Research Platform, accelerating progress in the fight against breast cancer
• Through this initiative, Abu Dhabi will be the first in the region to offer a dedicated National Quality Improvement tool for long-term breast cancer care

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 14 May 2024: During Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the Emirate’s healthcare sector, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M42’s Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a premier digital healthcare solutions company and AstraZeneca, a global science-led biopharmaceutical company. The entities will collaborate to develop the UAE’s first Breast Cancer Quality Improvement Programme (QiP) and Research Platform, accelerating progress in the fight against breast cancer. The Breast Cancer QIP and Research Platform seeks to significantly improve breast cancer, diagnosis and treatment strategies through innovative research using clinical analysis.

In the presence of H.E. Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – DoH (DoH), Michel Demare, Chair of the Board at AstraZeneca, Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director, and Group Chief Executive Officer of M42, the MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, Kareem Shahin, CEO of M42’s Abu Dhabi Health Data Services and Sameh ElFangary, Cluster President - GCC and Pakistan at AstraZeneca.

H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH said: "Launching the Breast Cancer Quality Improvement Programme and Research Platform at Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week, further solidifies the Department’s ongoing efforts to raise public awareness on the most pressing healthcare topics and ensure the population’s health and longevity within the Emirate and beyond. This MoU reflects our dedication to implementing comprehensive programmes focused on prevention, early detection, and advanced treatments. Through collaborating with our strategic partners, AstraZeneca and Abu Dhabi Health Data Services, we aim to alleviate the impact of breast cancer and make good health and quality care a universal standard.”

Highlighting the strategic objectives of the MoU, Kareem Shahin, CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Data Services said: “We are excited to join forces with AstraZeneca under the leadership of the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi to kick-off this important project that aims to transform breast cancer care globally. The Breast Cancer Research Platform will enable the development of personalised care through innovation in the pursuit of better patient outcomes.”

Sameh ElFangary, AstraZeneca Cluster President, GCC and Pakistan said: “We are proud to work with Abu Dhabi Health Data Services to unlock what the power of science can do. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women worldwide and as the burden of disease continues to mount, identifying and treating cancer early remains key to improving patient outcomes. Our ambition, alongside ADHDS is to collaboratively redefine treatment pathways to someday eliminate cancer as a cause of death.”

Breast cancer poses a significant health challenge for women globally, and the UAE is no exception. Through this MoU, the Department alongside its strategic partners are committed to harnessing clinical research to improve breast cancer care and research in the UAE. In order to enhance patient care and research outcomesthe parties will leverage the Emirate’s world-leading healthcare infrastructure to address fragmented breast cancer data, limited real-time care quality tracking, and insufficient research infrastructure. Malaffi, the first Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform in the MENA region, will play a pivotal role in this groundbreaking initiative through clinical research.

With an expected increase in population growth and high rates of people infected in cancer, the agreement highlights the urgency for collaborative efforts and resource allocation to address this pressing matter. The QiP and Research Platform aims to directly combat this challenge by enhancing breast cancer care and providing insights for the healthcare community to recognise trends, leading to improved treatment outcomes.

The platform serves as a testament to DoH’s commitment in positioning the Emirate as a global life sciences hub and an incubator for responsible healthcare innovation. Through this initiative, Abu Dhabi will be the first in the region to offer a dedicated National Quality Improvement tool for long-term breast cancer care, providing researchers, academia and healthcare professionals the opportunity to generate a comprehensive list of publications in the field.

Since its launch in 2019, Malaffi has significantly benefited healthcare providers across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Through its widespread adoption, the healthcare sector in the Emirate continues on a path of innovation and excellence in patient care.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week is a major government initiative taking place between 13 May and 15 May 2024 which seeks to accelerate collaboration, innovation, and investment, and bring together researchers, policymakers, healthcare specialists, investors, and entrepreneurs across the global healthcare and life-science ecosystem. The always-on platform is witnessing a true gathering of pioneering minds and a powerful network of 5,000 attendees, 1,000 delegates, 200 speakers, and 100 exhibitors.

The Department is collaborating with key strategic partners within the healthcare ecosystem, including the event’s Foundation Partner M42 and other leading healthcare ecosystem sponsors, PureHealth, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Burjeel Holdings, GSK, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD), Novartis, Viatris, AstraZeneca, Sanofi and many more to bring the vision of better health to life.

For more information please visit: https://www.adghw.com/