All posts by Abdullah Zafar

Stories of Hope

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.

Stories of Hope

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.

Newsletters

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…

Press Release

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.

Research Matters

Unlocking Medical Solutions, Transforming Lives

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. ‬It is hard to believe that less than a century ago‭, ‬we did not have cures for diseases like tuberculosis and‭ ‬polio‭. ‬It seemed impossible to imagine that entire continents could eradicate epidemics with a vaccine‭. ‬Over the years medical discoveries have translated into improved treatment protocols and therapies‭. ‬And‭, ‬with each new breakthrough‭, ‬a new sense of hope‭ ‬emerges‭. ‬It is thanks to pioneering research that these medical wonders are made possible‭.‬

In 2020‭ ‬medical research took centre stage as the world grappled with the coronavirus pandemic proving that there has never been‭ ‬a greater need for life-saving treatment and medical breakthroughs‭. ‬Al Jalila Foundation remained steadfast in supporting the government’s efforts to protect human life and in response to the global COVID-19‭ ‬outbreak expanded its research portfolio to address the coronavirus disease‭.‬

In August 2020‭, ‬we witnessed with great pride His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum‭, ‬Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai‭, ‬inaugurate the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute‭, ‬a AED 300‭ ‬million multi-disciplinary research centre established by Al Jalila Foundation to be a beacon of hope for the UAE and the Arab region‭. ‬The UAE’s first independent multi-disciplinary medical research institute aims to bring together leading local and international scientists to work together to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges‭: ‬cancer‭, ‬cardiovascular disease‭, ‬diabetes‭, ‬obesity‭, ‬mental health and viral diseases‭. ‬

Our priority at Al Jalila Foundation is to create opportunities to increase innovative and impactful research in the UAE to realise our vision to be at the forefront of global medical innovation‭. ‬Since inception‭, ‬we have invested AED 28‭ ‬million to support‭ ‬100‭ ‬research projects and eight international fellowships at leading institutions around the world‭. ‬

At a time when the world is racing to find solutions for eradicating the virus‭, ‬well-funded research efforts are critical in combating the disease‭. ‬These research awards are testament to our commitment to adapting to the changing needs of the medical landscape to ensure the health and safety of our people‭. ‬By supporting talented scientists and investing in research‭, ‬we‭ ‬are developing the next generation of innovators in health sciences and paving the way for medical breakthroughs‭. ‬

We are proud to work with the nation’s most brilliant scientists and it gives me immense pride to present our latest research grants portfolio with an overview of the projects we have funded to date‭.

My team and I would like to thank our Board of Trustees‭, ‬Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee for their continued foresight‭; ‬each one of our grant recipients and fellows for their dedication to biomedical‭ ‬research‭; ‬and‭, ‬we cannot forget‭, ‬our donors that make it possible for us to continue to break the boundaries of science to transform patients’‭ ‬lives‭.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama
Chief Executive Officer
Member of the Board of Directors
Al Jalila Foundation

Research Matters

Dedicated to Research, Committed to Care

We are immensely grateful to our Founder, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for championing innovation and research, and for establishing Al Jalila Foundation.

Research provides a gateway to discovering new knowledge, advancing medical breakthroughs, and propelling economic development. In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision we have established a research institute within Al Jalila Foundation headquarters, a AED 200 million state-of-the-art facility, as a regional hub for medical research.

The UAE’s first independent multi-disciplinary medical research institute will bring together leading local and international scientists to work together to discover solutions for the region’s biggest health challenges: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health. The institute will also collaborate with renowned research institutions around the world to foster international scientific partnerships, nurture home-grown biomedical researchers to strengthen best practices in the region.

Since our inception in 2013, Al Jalila Foundation has created opportunities to increase innovative, impactful research by funding 95 biomedical research projects and 8 international research fellowships with a total investment of AED 25 million. Our research is focused on cutting-edge translational research and we seek to identify causes of disease and to build on basic and clinical research findings to develop innovative prevention and treatment strategies. It gives me immense pride to present Al Jalila Foundation Research Grants Portfolio; here you will find all the information on our grant recipients and an overview of their research projects.

Research is a life-long commitment and a responsibility we take seriously. A responsibility to our Founder who has entrusted us with his vision. Responsibility to our donors who have empowered us to fulfill our mission. And responsibility to the people we serve: be it a hopeful patient, an aspiring student or a pioneering scientist.

Medical research has the potential to save lives and the new research institute will pave the way for advancements in medicine, giving hope to patients and safeguarding the health of our children, and children’s children.

May I take this opportunity to pay special recognition to each one of our grant recipients for their unwavering commitment to research and our philanthropic partners for their dedication to transform lives.

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama
Chief Executive Officer
Member of the Board of Directors
Al Jalila Foundation

Newsletters

Dedicated to Research, Committed to Care

February 2020

We are immensely grateful to our Founder, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for championing innovation and research, and for establishing Al Jalila Foundation.Research provides a gateway to discovering new knowledge, advancing medical breakthroughs, and propelling economic development. In line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s vision we have established a research institute within Al Jalila Foundation headquarters, a AED 200 million state-of-the-art facility, as a regional hub…