All posts by Abdullah Zafar
Professor Mutairu Ezimikhai
Professor Yousef Mohamed Abdulrazzaq AlBastaki
Improving women’s health and happiness
According to World Health Organization depression affects 350 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability, affecting more women than men.
In the Arab world, it is estimated that 17.7 percent of the population suffers from depression. With these alarming statistics, mental health is a top priority on the UAE National Agenda and a focus for Al Jalila Foundation research.
One Al Jalila Foundation funded research project, led by Dr Wegdan Bani Issa from University of Sharjah, is an in-depth population-based study among healthy adult women living in the UAE. This research studies the relationship between stress levels, sleep quality, physical activity and dietary habits.
Mental health is related to mental and psychological well-being. It affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Women are at great risk for increased stress levels due to hormonal differences and pressure related to engaging in multiple roles in life.
Research like Dr Wegdan’s takes us a step closer to understanding how a woman’s stress relates to her lifestyle choices and will help develop evidence-based interventions geared toward improving her mental health, happiness level and productivity.
Pursuing a career to save lives
Growing up in an underprivileged community, Farah Ennab was inspired to pursue medicine as a profession to make a difference in people’s lives.
In 2016, based on excellent academic achievements, Farah was awarded an Al Jalila Foundation scholarship to follow her dream. Through the scholarship, Farah became the first person in her family to attend medical school and incidentally, was one of the first students enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
“Thanks to Al Jalila Foundation I have embarked on a journey of a lifetime. The scholarship has allowed me to explore the field of medicine and I am in awe of the diversity, complexity, and humanity that stems from such a noble profession. To have the trust of patients and the opportunity to change lives on a daily basis is an absolute privilege.”
Now in her fourth year, Farah is going through clinical rotations at various hospitals and was recently accepted as a student member of the American College of Surgeons. Upon graduation in 2022 Farah will be among the first MBBS graduates from MBRU and hopes to pursue a surgical specialty.
Running toward a life of freedom
Mohammed was diagnosed with Blount’s disease at a young age, a growth disorder characterised by lower limb deformity that slowly worsens over time. By the age of 11, the pain and deformity had become so severe that Mohammed was no longer able to stand, much less walk or play with his siblings causing a great deal of psychological distress along with the physical.
Surgery was needed to get Mohammed back on his feet; however, the solution seemed far out of reach for his mother who was raising three children alone. Desperate to improve his quality of life, Mohammed’s mother sought out help and was directed to Al Jalila Foundation who sponsored the corrective surgery at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital.
“It is with great joy that I share my gratitude to the incredible doctors at Al Jalila Children’s and the team at Al Jalila Foundation for their compassion. I cannot describe my happiness for the success of Mohammed’s operation and to be supported at a time of need.”
Since his operation in July, Mohammed is unstoppable and finds so much joy in sports at school and kicking the ball around with his friends. Everyday brings a new world free from pain and limitations.
Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed
Together, Let’s #MakeItHappen
March 2020
As the UAE looks toward the next 50 years we are inspired by the great strides we are taking in medical innovation and the advancement of science and research. Since the first organ transplant in the UAE, hundreds of lives have been saved through this breakthrough surgery. It is thanks to pioneering research that these medical wonders are possible and we have witnessed our young kidney transplant patients Bana, Adam and Kangana, make a full recovery and go on to lead happy, healthy lives. Nothing gives me greater joy than to see the lives…
Al Jalila Foundation launches Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed to advance local medical research
Al Jalila Foundation, a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, dedicated to transforming lives through medical innovation, today announced the launch of ‘Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed’ to advance local medical research in the UAE. Dedicated to the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum the campaign honours Sheikh Rashid’s philanthropic spirit and aims to continue his legacy to improve humanity. Bassmat, ‘fingerprint’ in Arabic, signifies the power donors have to leave their distinctive mark on the future of medicine through this unique fundraising campaign with the first-of-its-kind donor recognition wall.
Since inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has lead opportunities to increase innovative and impactful medical research investing AED 25 million to award 95 research grants and 8 international research fellowships to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health. In line with the vision to position the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation, the Foundation has established the first independent multi-disciplinary biomedical research institute with an investment of AED 200 million solely funded by philanthropic partners.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Trustees, said “Sheikh Rashid’s visionary leadership and philanthropic spirit brought to reality many of the great advancements that transformed Dubai into the modern city it is today. Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed pays tribute to the legacy of Sheikh Rashid and creates a path for future pioneers to advance medical breakthroughs that could save millions of lives.”
Al Jalila Foundation recently organised a panel discussion bringing together key industry leaders to share their perspectives on the importance of investing in the UAE’s medical research landscape.
Her Excellency Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Member of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “As a young Foundation with great ambitions our progress made to date reaffirms our commitment to becoming a leader in medical research. With the right support from philanthropists, corporates, the academic and research fraternity, and the wider community we are on the right track to cultivate an inspiring research eco-system to propel the UAE to the forefront of medical innovation.”
Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Provost and Dean of the College of Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “Scientific research is an integrated eco-system with key elements and requirements. In the UAE, several elements are available, such as universities that focus on scientific research, foundations that support research such as Al Jalila Foundation, the UAE Government’s strategic drive towards a knowledge-based economy, the appointment of a Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, and the establishment of the UAE Council of Scientists. These are all government initiatives that will enhance the UAE’s ability to establish a thriving research eco-system.”
Dr Rajen Kilachand a renowned philanthropist commented on the importance of leaving the world a better place and a legacy for generations: “Al Jalila Foundation has been visionary in establishing a research facility undertaking ground breaking research in the UAE. This will, in a few years’ time, undoubtedly become a world class medical complex which has developed from within the country and perhaps the entire MENA region. It is an organisation funded entirely by donors and the results of these philanthropic donations are without a doubt beyond calculation. To have my name associated with an institute in this field in the country I have made my home, gives me great pleasure and happiness.”
As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested in healthcare programs to transform patients’ lives. For more information on how to be a part of Bassmat Rashid Bin Saeed please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae/bassmat.