Abu Dhabi Strengthens Healthcare with Activation of Rare Diseases Centre of Excellence in Partnership with AstraZeneca and PureHealth
Abu Dhabi has taken a significant step in enhancing its healthcare landscape by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Rare Diseases Centre of Excellence. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in collaboration with AstraZeneca and PureHealth, formalized this initiative during the BIO International Convention held in San Diego, USA.
Focus on Rare Diseases
The newly activated center will serve as a pivotal hub for the diagnosis, treatment, research, and lifelong care of patients suffering from rare diseases. It will specifically target rare metabolic, nephrological, and hematologic disorders. By uniting clinicians, researchers, and various ecosystem partners, the center aims to set a new standard for rare disease care throughout the region.
The establishment of this center is not merely a healthcare initiative; it addresses the socio-economic challenges posed by rare diseases on healthcare systems, communities, and families. This initiative exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s intelligent life sciences model, which seeks to translate scientific advancements into tangible patient outcomes.
Collaborative Efforts
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. She noted that AstraZeneca and PureHealth have been long-standing partners of the DoH. The partnership aims to leverage Abu Dhabi’s integrated healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, enhancing innovation in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of rare diseases.
The center will facilitate collaboration among key stakeholders to improve the lives of community members, thereby further strengthening the Emirate’s life sciences ecosystem.
Addressing the Impact of Rare Diseases
Sameh El Fangary, Gulf Country President at AstraZeneca, highlighted the often-overlooked nature of rare diseases, which affect a relatively small number of individuals but have a devastating impact on patients and their families. He emphasized the importance of this partnership in combining transformative science and global expertise with Abu Dhabi’s world-class healthcare system. The shared objective is to ensure that no patient is left behind, guaranteeing timely and appropriate care for all.
This agreement builds on a previous MoU signed by DoH and AstraZeneca at BIO 2024, aimed at leveraging the Emirate’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, including the Emirati Genome Program, alongside AstraZeneca’s global expertise in rare disease management. The inclusion of PureHealth as a partner marks a significant advancement in operationalizing the center.
Enhancing Patient Care
Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer at PureHealth, remarked on the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases and their families. She noted that the journey to diagnosis and treatment can be long and fraught with uncertainty. Transforming this experience requires not just clinical excellence but also a unified approach among organizations with a shared mission.
PureHealth is committed to collaborating with DoH and AstraZeneca to activate a Centre of Excellence that integrates expertise, innovation, and collaboration to enhance rare disease care in the UAE. The partnership aims to build the necessary capabilities and integrated care models to improve the lives of those affected by rare diseases while shaping the future of specialized healthcare.
Strategic Collaboration Framework
Under the MoU, DoH, PureHealth, and AstraZeneca will focus on several key areas: establishing the center as a hub for rare disease care; creating an integrated model for diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong care; ensuring equitable and uninterrupted access to specialized services; advancing research, clinical trials, and real-world evidence generation; and enhancing education and training to strengthen local clinical expertise. A joint governance framework will oversee the collaboration, ensuring accountability and effective delivery.
This partnership combines AstraZeneca’s scientific capabilities and global reach with PureHealth’s operational expertise within the UAE’s healthcare system, alongside DoH’s regulatory leadership and vision for Abu Dhabi as a global hub for life sciences and medical innovation. Together, these three entities aim to redefine the care pathway for rare diseases in the emirate, creating a model that could benefit patients across the region and beyond.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-07-08 18:33:00 • By the Editorial Desk
