Beyond the inaugural event in May, Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW) will serve as a year-round platform for open, inclusive exchange and joint action for a healthier world. It will also serve as a platform for an ongoing, borderless partnership aimed at fostering cross-sector collaboration.
We will keep working on and applying the health improvement strategies discussed during ADGHW, aiming for long-term results and impact. This is just the beginning of a journey, and we believe that together we can build a community where open, inclusive exchange and joint action are focused on a healthier world for all.
We believe that public-private partnerships will be pivotal to our success, uniting diverse groups—from researchers, policymakers, investors, or philanthropists to foster advancement. We’ve already seen the benefit of that work throughout the healthcare system in Abu Dhabi, and we are encouraged at the prospect of further success.
At the core of our development, we see that—especially through the use of data and AI—technology will serve as the catalyst for further change, redefining patient care and disease management, and improving global health outcomes.
Beyond improving health outcomes for our local communities, addressing global health equity is one of our key objectives. Globally, we know there’s a long way to go to improve and ensure success in this area, but the department will continue to lead on this agenda. ADGHW will allow us to lead those conversations on an increasingly global platform.
H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Q2: EconomicTimes.com: How did ADGHW contribute to the advancement of healthcare infrastructure and technology adoption, particularly in the context of emerging economies and underserved regions?
By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and innovators from around the world, ADGHW facilitated discussions on best practices, emerging trends, and the latest trends in healthcare technology. However, to achieve the change we seek, we must work together across diverse specialties, geographies, and even sectors. We can transform lives and ensure a healthier world for future generations through collaboration.ADGHW creates the foundation for collaboration, enabling participants to share their ideas and experiences, identifying opportunities to improve healthcare infrastructure, and accelerating technology adoption in emerging economies and underserved regions.We are building a space where partners can discuss, challenge, and align to deliver new projects that beyond addressing specific health needs, could also assist emerging economies and underserved regions. In one example of how bringing together experts to provide solutions to healthcare challenges is crucial for advancing healthcare capabilities, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi was pleased to sign an MoU with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Core42 to establish a Global AI Healthcare Academy. This academy will develop an AI-trained workforce that can enhance diagnostic and operational efficiency, significantly improve patient care, and streamline healthcare processes.
Additionally, we signed an MoU with GSK, one of the world’s leading biopharma companies, to establish a regional vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration leverages our strategic geographic position, together with the skills and knowledge that have been developed here following the Covid pandemic, ensuring that we successfully exchange knowledge, and build capabilities through joint efforts, particularly in public health prevention strategies. As we saw during the pandemic, Abu Dhabi helped to connect healthcare systems across the Indian sub-continent and Africa and ensured access to medicines and professionals to significantly hit areas, a role that we are committed to strengthening in the future.
Q3: EconomicTimes.com: What opportunities did ADGHW present for healthcare startups and entrepreneurs, and how were innovative solutions showcased or supported to address the pressing health challenges worldwide?
ADGHW showcased healthcare startups and entrepreneurs to help them gain visibility, access resources, and accelerate their growth in the global healthcare market. Abu Dhabi has much to offer firms who are looking to grow their operations and access investors at the same time. There are already firms looking to base themselves in this region, and we want them to choose Abu Dhabi. The department is actively seeking to promote the various support mechanisms available to businesses operating in the healthcare space.
Immersive sessions at ADGHW showcased cutting-edge advancements at the forefront of med-tech. Among the 300-plus healthcare companies in attendance were examples such as AppliedVR, which develops immersive VR for therapeutic pain management, and OTSAW which is leading in the development of autonomous service robots. There are many other examples such as Fava Health, which is a deep-learning, clinical learning language model (LLM) app that uses genomic data to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Companies like this are at the forefront of the next wave of critical developments in healthcare technology and we are keen for ADGHW to be an opportunity for them to engage with experts, investors, and other startups in an environment that is keen to support responsible innovation.
ADGHW also saw the launch of HealthX, a startup programme in partnership with DoH, and startAD, a startup accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). The programme aims to position Abu Dhabi as a hub for biotech and life sciences by supporting 30 global life science startups over two years. The programme provides intensive training, personalised support, and opportunities to secure customers in the UAE, fostering the development of innovative healthcare solutions which will be central to Abu Dhabi’s future.
All of this work helps foster a new spirit of innovation and places the capital at the centre of health transformation. Across the world, medical facilities and healthcare systems are undergoing rapid transformation, and we must ensure that they are ready to deal with the health challenges that our societies will face.
We are pleased that our startup and entrepreneur-friendly regulatory ecosystem, anonymised data, outstanding infrastructure, and opportunities for collaboration with leading academic institutions, are easily accessible to companies looking to Abu Dhabi to begin or expand their operations. Additionally, these areas of support are pivotal to further scale innovations to benefit underserved populations across the globe.
Q4: EconomicTimes.com: Millions of dollars of investment are expected to flow between the UAE and India over the next few years and major Indian healthcare providers were taking part in the event as speakers and delegates. Where are we most likely to see further investment in the Indian healthcare system from Abu Dhabi following this event?
The UAE and India have signed several Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), outlining frameworks for the expansion of bilateral investment cooperation across various sectors, including healthcare. With substantial investments expected to flow between both countries in the upcoming years, several areas within the Indian healthcare system are likely to attract further attention and investment from Abu Dhabi, aligning with India’s healthcare priorities.
Abu Dhabi has the ability to channel investments into the development of healthcare infrastructure in India, including the establishment of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, and specialty care facilities. Upgrading existing infrastructure and building new healthcare facilities can help address the growing demand for quality healthcare services in India. There are many examples of large organisations from the UAE working in India including Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, which announced its plans to invest in India’s Manipal Health Enterprises earlier this year, as part of its continued expansion in Asia.
With a focus on advancing technology adoption in healthcare, Indian companies specialising in research, digital health solutions, telemedicine platforms and health information systems can look to Abu Dhabi for collaboration and investment. These investments can enhance healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and patient outcomes by leveraging digital tools and platforms.
Investments in medical education and training programmes can also help address the shortage of skilled healthcare professionals in India, and we are keen to see investment in training healthcare workers, enhancing medical curricula, and fostering research collaborations between Indian and Emirati institutions.
Q5: EconomicTimes.com: AI and technology were central themes of the event and many Indian healthcare providers are looking to advance their knowledge in this area to improve the systems they’re operating at local and national level in India. Where is the next healthcare unicorn expected to appear from in this space?
New technologies or new application uses are consistently pushing the boundaries in global health outcomes, whether through digitalisation, AI and VR, or other advancements.
Abu Dhabi is currently leveraging AI use cases that inform us about risk to the population on a variety of health conditions and allow us to better plan our disease management approaches and healthcare policies. This exemplifies our commitment to an integrated approach in healthcare, where responsible innovation meets the evolving needs of our population. For example, Malaffi, the region’s first Health Information Exchange platform, safely and securely connects public and private healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the Sahatna app, developed by the department, provides convenient and secure access to a suite of health and wellness services, including the ability to access medical records.
India is also acting to leverage technology in the delivery of healthcare services to its population, launching ‘The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)’ aimed to create a seamless and integrated digital health ecosystem across the country for patients to easily access and manage their health records and healthcare providers to securely share medical information.
Predicting the location of the next healthcare unicorn is challenging, as it depends on various factors such as technological advancements, market dynamics, regulatory environment, and entrepreneurial innovation. However, both India and the UAE present a promising landscape for the emergence of the next tech or digital company who seeks to address a much-needed solution to advance individual or public health.
I’m excited by these developments in healthcare, and they demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available to us in the future as we seek to bring about the kind of responsible innovation today for those who need it. As we continue to look for new opportunities to improve the health of our communities—in the UAE, in India, and around the world—I’m confident that we can work together for the benefit of both of our populations, and hope that the next unicorn is a result of the work we’re leading on together.
