ABU DHABI, 27th May, 2022 (WAM) — A delegation of Abu Dhabi healthcare led by Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, has explored collaboration opportunities during its participation at the 20th edition of the Biomed Israel Conference and Exhibition held recently in Tel Aviv.
The delegation met with a number of Israeli officials, companies, scientists, investors and entrepreneurs. The meetings sought to examine means of enhancing cooperation between both countries in healthcare research and innovation, emergency resilience, digital health application, life sciences manufacturing and development and regulatory alignment.
The discussions aligned with Abu Dhabi’s ongoing efforts to cement its regional and global positioning as a life sciences and health-tech hub.
The delegation included representatives from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Abu Dhabi Investment Office: G42 healthcare and the National Health Insurance Company – Daman.
Al Hamed and his accompanying delegation met with Israeli Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, and discussed means of bolstering cooperation in research and innovation; health education, alignment of health regulation, training exchange programmes and other initiatives. They shed light on the promising potential of the healthcare systems in both countries, as well as the efforts made to promote the health of communities locally and globally.
Al Hamed said, “Under the directives of our wise leadership, the UAE seeks to maximise global efforts to improve the health and well-being of communities everywhere. This visit was important to meet our colleagues in Israeli healthcare and discuss key areas of cooperation between two of the world’s leading systems. We learned more about Israel’s innovative healthcare ecosystem and presented Abu Dhabi’s achievements in the various fields to unify efforts and explore opportunities of mutual and the wider world benefits.”
Al Hamed noted that both nations enjoy advanced healthcare, innovative culture and digital technology infrastructure. Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s focus is to intensify joint cooperation efforts between the two countries, and expand means of communication and exchange of experiences for the benefit of societies of the UAE, Israel and the world, he added.
Al Hamed and the Abu Dhabi delegation accompanied by the Conference Chairman toured the exhibition’s sections, explored new technologies and learned about the entrepreneurial friendly Israeli ecosystem. He also met with officials of a number of leading Israeli companies in the fields of healthcare and biotechnology, including Amon, Day Two and Curesponse. The delegation visited the Peres Centre for Peace & Innovation and RM Global, the global life science investment banking and advisory.
Furthermore, the delegation met with the Chairman and representatives from Clalit Health Services, the largest provider of healthcare services in Israel and the world’s second-largest healthcare provider. During the meeting, the delegation reviewed the latest developments in the joint cooperation between both parties in areas of bilateral knowledge exchange, digital health applications, visiting doctors’ programme, professional education, international patient care referrals, research and clinical trials.
Al Hamed also met with a number of Israeli officials to discuss means of developing and strengthening cooperation ties between the two countries in the fields of innovation, healthcare, research, data, and knowledge, among others. Furthermore, the Emirati delegation visited Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem, where they toured the various departments of the hospital and previewed the latest technologies and innovative tools used.
Department of Health – Abu Dhabi signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements with a number of leading Israeli institutions, including the Israel Innovation Authority, Clalit Health Services, and Sheba Medical Centre, to enhance cooperation in the areas of health technology, crisis management, digital health, telemedicine and other areas of common interest.
During the visit, the Abu Dhabi delegation received many accolades for the high-quality and world-class healthcare system transformation that was achieved over the past few years.