Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Health Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, reinforced its commitment to collaborative philanthropy by signing strategic partnerships with five UAE-based charitable organizations during its annual donor recognition ceremony.

The partnerships aim to unify efforts in delivering healthcare services to those in need, while supporting medical education and scientific research.

This effort demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to fostering collaboration, facilitating knowledge exchange, and supporting joint initiatives that deliver essential medical support to communities in need.

Strategic partnerships for greater impact

The MoUs were signed by Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, and representatives of the partner charities:

– Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation
– H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al-Falasi, CEO and Managing Director of Dar Al Ber Society
– H.E. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Dubai Charity Association
– H.E. Dr. Ahmed Tahlek, General Director of the Tarahum Charity Foundation
– Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi, Director General of Beit Al Khair Society

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation affirmed the partnerships’ role in unifying the charitable sector, stating: “By joining forces with these mission-driven UAE organizations, we ensure life-saving medical care reaches the most vulnerable. These collaborations not only strengthen our healthcare ecosystem but further solidifies Dubai’s position as a global beacon of philanthropic leadership.”

H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al-Falasi stated, “The collaboration with Al Jalila Foundation is a vital step in supporting advanced medical care. This partnership reflects the UAE’s ongoing social responsible approach, which prioritizes philanthropy and healthcare to enhance quality of life and uphold the values of compassion and social solidarity.”

Building on this sentiment, H.E. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Suwaidi added: “We are pleased to collaborate and partner with Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health. This partnership aligns with the core pillars of the Dubai Charity Strategy, which is committed to expanding partnerships and enhancing humanitarian work. We are confident that this memorandum, which reflects our shared commitment to noble human values and our sincere desire to serve the community, will result in inspiring success stories and leave a lasting positive impact on various segments of society, opening doors of hope in line with the UAE’s vision to enhance quality of life.’’

Echoing this commitment to community wellbeing, H.E Dr. Ahmed Tahlek noted, “We are pleased with this agreement, which is part of our ongoing efforts to develop community support tools. This collaboration opens new horizons for launching humanitarian projects focused on health, and it contributes to the implementation of initiatives and programs that address the needs of deserving families, especially those suffering from life-threatening illnesses.”

Reinforcing the collective vision, Abdeen Taher Al Awadhi emphasized, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to making a tangible impact in the healthcare sector by joining forces with Al Jalila Foundation to build a more sustainable, health-conscious society. It supports patients and meets their treatment needs, embodying the UAE’s direction in making human health a top priority and reflecting the deep-rooted values of compassion and solidarity within our community.”

The strategic partnerships will jointly fund vital programs like A’awen, The Child Fund, and community initiatives like Wellness of Wheels, Ta’alouf, and Majlis Al Amal, pooling resources to transform lives.

In a landmark medical breakthrough for the emirate of Dubai and in a testament to the synergy between the public and private healthcare sectors, a medical team at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai has successfully performed the city’s first liver transplant on a 13-month-old child, with the support of Al Jalila Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health.

The successful transplant marks another remarkable milestone in Dubai’s relentless quest for healthcare excellence, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to develop a more efficient, high-quality healthcare system in line with the highest global standards.

The complex and delicate surgery was led by Professor Mohamed Rela, one of the world’s foremost liver transplant surgeons, and was carried out by a multidisciplinary team at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai. Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital played a vital role in preparing for the transplant by providing specialised medical care to both the infant and his father, who donated a portion of his liver. The hospital also performed cardiac surgery to repair a hole in the child’s heart – a key step that paved the way for the successful liver transplant.

The child, named Malek, was born with a rare condition known as biliary atresia, which caused his health to deteriorate despite an earlier surgical procedure to connect his liver to his intestines. He was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect). He was referred to King’s College Hospital in Dubai by Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, following the cardiac repair procedure, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting critical humanitarian cases and providing advanced treatment options for children within the UAE.

The collaborative medical intervention by Al Jalila Children’s and King’s College Hospital London in Dubai and the successful transplantgave the child a renewed chance at life. The surgery was completed successfully, and the patient was discharged in good health.

Dr Younis Kazim, Acting CEO of the Health Regulation Sector at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA),said: “The successful liver transplant for a 13-month-old infant represents an unprecedented medical achievement for Dubai. It reflects the healthcare system’s readiness and ability to handle the most complex cases with efficiency and professionalism in a dynamic environment that fosters excellence and supports high-value healthcare investments.”

Spirit of partnership

Dr Kazim highlighted the Authority’s commitment to empowering and developing private healthcare facilities as key partners in delivering specialised services. He noted that the DHA enables this through advanced regulatory frameworks, flexible policies, and continued support to attract top global talent, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading regional and global healthcare hub.

He added that DHA’s efforts to establish comprehensive, internationally-aligned standards for organ transplant procedures in the UAE are rooted in global best practices. These efforts reflect Dubai’s model of excellence in service quality, transparency, and governance of medical procedures, ensuring patient safety, enhancing transplant outcomes, and strengthening trust in the city’s healthcare system.

Dr Kazim concluded by stating that the medical milestone and the integrated care provided to the young patient underscore Dubai’s steady and confident progress towards its strategic goal of becoming the world’s best city in terms of quality of life, wellbeing, and healthcare.

Dr Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, affirmed that the achievement marks a significant leap forward for Dubai’s healthcare sector and reflects the emirate’s unwavering commitment to delivering world-class medical services in line with the highest global standards.

Dr Al Zarooni expressed his appreciation to all partners involved in the success of the exceptional procedure, describing it as a model of collaboration between the public and private sectors and charitable organisations. He also praised the vital role of donors and their invaluable contributions to supporting organ transplant programmes backed by Al Jalila Foundation, highlighting their profound impact on the lives of patients with critical medical conditions.

He noted that Al Jalila Foundation covered the full medical costs for the infant Malek, including comprehensive pre- and post-operative care provided at Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital. This support reflects the Foundation’s ongoing pledge to provide holistic healthcare services to those in need, in line with its guiding principle: ‘The patient comes first.’

Strategic collaboration

It is worth noting that Al Jalila Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with King’s College Hospital London in Dubai during Arab Health 2025. The agreement aims to expand charitable healthcare initiatives in the UAE by supporting organ transplant programmes.

Meanwhile, Dr Hanan Ali Obaid, Director of Health Policies and Standards at the Dubai Health Authority, stated that the success of Dubai’s first paediatric liver transplant underscores DHA’s commitment to providing a comprehensive regulatory environment that meets the highest international standards of patient care and safety.

Dr Obaidemphasised the Authority’s focus on adopting advanced and flexible regulatory frameworks that empower healthcare institutions to achieve such complex and precise medical milestones locally. She explained that Dubai’s organ transplant standards have been developed in alignment with global best practices, conforming to all medical, ethical, and humanitarian considerations to ensure the efficacy and safety of the procedure aligned with the Authority’s vision, values, and principles, which place the individual at the heart of healthcare services. This achievement is part of an integrated system that bolsters patient confidence and reinforces Dubai’s status as a global hub for specialised healthcare.

Professor Mohamed Rela – who previously performed a liver transplant on a five-day-old infant, a case recorded in the Guinness World Records as the youngest liver transplant globally – explained that Malek’s condition was particularly complex due to his young age, low weight, and multiple health complications. He emphasised that the successful outcome highlights the competence of the multidisciplinary medical team and the robustness of the specialisedprogramme, which brings together elite consultants, surgeons, hepatologists, anaesthetists, and intensive care experts to deliver holistic, integrated care designed to save lives.

Rapid advancements

He added that the breakthrough also reflects the rapid advancements in the capabilities of Dubai’s healthcare sector and embodies the hospital’s commitment to realising the emirate’s vision of delivering the highest standards of comprehensive healthcare to all members of society, including children.

Dr. Rajeev Tomar, Consultant Paediatrician and Director of the Paediatric Liver Transplant Programme at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, stated that initial examinations for the infant, Malek, showed severe jaundice, liver and spleen enlargement, and severe malnutrition, indicating that a liver transplant was the only option to save his life. He explained that the case was one of the most challenging handled by the medical team, especially given the presence of a heart defect, which was successfully treated at Al Jalila Hospital before performing the liver transplant.

Kimberly Pierce, CEO of King’s College Hospital Dubai, said: “The success of the surgery represents a qualitative shift in the healthcare landscape of the emirate, as the hospital was able to meet an urgent medical need that previously required travel abroad. Now, it is available locally, thanks to the supportive guidance and the integrated healthcare system that Dubai embraces.”

Dr. Tashfeen Siddiq Ali, Chief Medical Officer at King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, stated that this achievement marks a turning point in Dubai’s journey to becoming a global hub for specialised healthcare.

He added: “It also reflects the rapid evolution of the healthcare sector’s capabilities and embodies the hospital’s commitment to Dubai’s vision of providing the highest standards of comprehensive healthcare for all members of the community, including children.”

Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Health Board of Directors, Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, hosted a special ceremony to honor its partners for their outstanding contributions to supporting the healthcare sector in Dubai and the UAE.

Held at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the ceremony was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation, Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of the Al Jalila Foundation and over 70 philanthropic donors who have played a vital role in advancing charitable initiatives in the healthcare sector.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum expressed profound appreciation for the donors’ generosity, emphasizing that their support exemplifies the UAE’s enduring commitment to humanitarian values and philanthropic excellence.

His Highness said: “We extend our deepest gratitude to our dedicated supporters whose contributions have significantly advanced Al Jalila Foundation’s initiatives and healthcare programs.

“This remarkable display of generosity aligns perfectly with the values of the UAE Year of the Community and illustrates the spirit of solidarity and cohesion that has always defined our society. Through these collaborative efforts, we continue to build a healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes compassion, innovation and accessibility for all.”

The attendees expressed their deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his generous support of Al Jalila Foundation, since its inception in 2013, which has helped in shaping the Foundation into a leading force in advancing healthcare and transforming lives across the UAE.

Strategic Partnership

Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg affirmed that Al Jalila Foundation’s success in delivering on its mission is a testament to the humanitarian commitment of the UAE’s philanthropic leaders.

She said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Jalila Foundation has become a model for sustainable giving.

“Over the past decade, the foundation has achieved significant milestones, and today we continue our journey with a forward-looking vision to shape the future of healthcare through philanthropy.”

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni praised the impactful role of donors in realizing the Foundation’s vision, emphasizing that “every dirham donated has brought new hope to its recipients.”

He added: “2024 was a remarkable year for healthcare philanthropy. Al Jalila Foundation raised AED 177.65 million – an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. These funds enabled us to provide essential medical support to 4,728 patients across the UAE, a 15% rise from 2023.

“The Foundation remains committed to achieving lasting health impact by advancing medical research, expanding charitable programs and supporting medical education.”

Programs and Initiatives

Al Jalila Foundation has developed a comprehensive range of programs and initiatives that integrate healthcare, scientific research and community support, including:

– A’awen: covering life-saving heart treatments
– The Child Fund: offering care for children with critical health challenges
– Wellness on Wheels: delivering onsite screening and diagnostics
– Ta’alouf: empowering children of determination and their families
– Majlis Al Amal: providing emotional support for female cancer patients
– Scholarship Program: training future national medical professionals
– Seed Grant Program: advancing early-stage scientific research
– Waqf (Endowment): funding long-term medical initiatives

Advancing Research

In line with its commitment to medical research, Al Jalila Foundation awarded 13 medical scholarships and funded 12 research projects in 2024, with a total investment of AED 1.83 million in biomedical research.

Additionally, the Foundation supported 12 collaborative research projects between UAE institutions and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), investing AED 1.07 million in areas such as allergy and infectious diseases – reinforcing its dedication to healthcare innovation and excellence.

The ceremony concluded with inspiring stories from beneficiaries of the Foundation’s research initiatives and programs, including Ta’alouf, A’awen, The Child Fund and Hope Fund.