For a long time, Khalid Zanaty put off visiting the doctor. The distance and effort required to reach a nearby healthcare center were constant obstacles, and over time he grew used to ignoring minor symptoms, unaware they were hiding a serious risk to his health.

That changed when Wellness on Wheels, by Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, arrived in his community, bringing healthcare directly to the heart of the neighborhood. Khalid never imagined that a simple routine check-up would completely change the course of his life. The screening revealed early-stage diabetes, caught just in time before it could progress. What he had once dismissed as everyday tiredness turned out to be a warning his body had been giving him for months.

Thanks to early detection and immediate care, Khalid began a new journey toward better health. He adopted a healthier lifestyle, adjusted his diet, and gradually regained his wellbeing. Most importantly, he was able to avoid severe complications that could have affected his heart, kidneys, and overall quality of life. His morning walks are no longer a struggle, and he now greets each day with an energy he thought he had lost.

Reflecting on the experience, Khalid shared: “The Wellness on Wheels initiative was a true blessing when it reached my workplace. It offered me healthcare equal in quality to a hospital, but this time right at my doorstep. It was a turning point to feel that care was so close and accessible.”

Khalid’s story reflects Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to make healthcare accessible to all, ensuring that distance or limited resources never stand in the way of early detection and timely treatment. The Wellness on Wheels clinics are not just medical units; they are lifelines reaching communities and offering people a new chance at better health.

Today, Khalid walks forward with confidence, knowing that a single moment of care can save an entire lifetime.

The journey of Amal Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed Al Mansoor, a dedicated school leader, became far more than a traditional career path. Through the Ta’alouf Teacher Training Program launched by Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, her story transformed into one of hope and impact. The program marked a pivotal turning point in her professional and personal life, equipping her with tools to transform the learning experience of her students. What began as a search for better teaching methods became a mission to build a more inclusive future.

Through Ta’alouf, Amal gained knowledge of inclusive education strategies and diverse learning methods. She learned how to design flexible learning plans that address each student’s unique needs and how to apply practical strategies that foster empathy and inclusivity in everyday school life. Over time, these skills translated into real impact: students flourished both academically and socially, and families observed meaningful positive changes. The ripple effects of the program extended far beyond the classroom walls.

Reflecting with gratitude, Amal shares: “My experience with Al Jalila Foundation’s Ta’alouf Program not only transformed my approach in academia but also gave me renewed confidence that has uplifted my students and brought joy to their families.”

One of her greatest achievements through Ta’alouf has been building a school culture rooted in compassion and inclusion. Students have become more understanding and accepting of their peers, teachers collaborate more effectively, and parents, together with the wider school community, actively support the vision of inclusive education.

Today, inclusion is no longer a distant goal but a lived reality in the school Amal leads, where every child is given the opportunity to learn, grow, and shine. Her journey embodies Al Jalila Foundation’s mission, reinforcing that advancing inclusive education creates a brighter future for all.

On her 60th birthday in April 2014, Catherine Vander Cammen received life-changing news: a breast cancer diagnosis. Within just 30 days, she underwent a double mastectomy and began chemotherapy, entering a period marked by fear and emotional turmoil. She recalls: “It felt as though time had suddenly stopped, leaving my life suspended between hope and uncertainty.”

In those difficult moments, Catherine found through Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, a space of compassion, connection, and reassurance that helped her regain strength and confidence, while also allowing her to share her journey with others who had walked a similar path.

She describes her experience with Majlis Al Amal as a turning point in her life: “It gave me hope and reassurance, restored my confidence, and most importantly, gave me back the ability to smile sincerely.”

Today, Catherine channels her experience into inspiring others, reflecting the lasting impact of a community that supports patients beyond treatment and helps them move forward with renewed hope. Her story is a powerful reminder that the support of Al Jalila Foundation goes far beyond treatment, building a nurturing community that transforms hardship into opportunities for renewal. Catherine’s experience affirms that compassion and community care can open the door to new beginnings for cancer survivors.

The research explores why certain aggressive forms of breast cancer do not respond to chemotherapy. By examining the genetic mechanisms behind treatment resistance, the study identifies how specific genes influence cancer behavior and progression. These findings open new possibilities for targeted therapies and more personalized treatment approaches, with the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Supported by a research grant from Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, this important work, titled “The Role of the FOXC1 Gene in Stimulating Aggressive Oncogenic Programs and Chemotherapy Resistance in Triple-negative Breast Cancer through Modulation of Chromatin Availability”, was led by Dr. Shakhzada Ibragimova as part of her PhD journey in the Biomedical Sciences doctoral program at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health.

Reflecting on her experience, Dr. Shakhzada shared: “Receiving support from Al Jalila Foundation was a turning point for this study, strengthening the research and enabling me to generate meaningful findings that can contribute to improving cancer care. The Foundation’s commitment to advancing scientific discovery gave me the confidence and resources to conduct high-quality research with the potential to make a real difference in patients’ lives.”

This achievement reflects Al Jalila Foundation’s commitment to advancing impactful research and empowering the next generation of scientists whose work can transform lives through discovery.

Professor Abiola Senok from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the Learning and Discovery arm of Dubai Health, together with researchers from United Arab Emirates University and Creighton University in the United States, is leading a pioneering research study titled Deciphering the Evolution and Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance in the United Arab Emirates (DEED-AMR).

The study is supported through a research grant from Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, and forms part of the UAE–NIH Collaborative Research Award.

The research focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the world’s most pressing health challenges, where bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and other treatments, rendering common infections increasingly difficult, and sometimes impossible, to treat. By analyzing wastewater samples, the research team can monitor how resistant bacteria spread across communities, identify early warning signs of potential outbreaks, and establish a comprehensive framework for AMR surveillance.

Underpinned by the One Health philosophy, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, the study offers an integrated view of how resistant bacteria emerge and disseminate across diverse ecological niches. Using advanced genomic technologies, the team is able to track how resistance genes move and spread, helping to better understand how drug-resistant bacteria emerge in the community.

To date, the research has resulted in three publications in well-regarded peer-reviewed scientific journals, along with two published conference abstracts, reflecting strong scholarly output and meaningful contributions to the field.

This research project is helping lay the foundation for a national system to monitor antimicrobial resistance, contributing to a safer and healthier future.

Receiving a scholarship from Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, marked a defining moment in Reem Hatem Abdel Kareem’s academic journey. After being admitted to pursue her PhD in Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, the scholarship gave her the support she needed to continue pursuing her dream with confidence and focus.

With deep gratitude, Reem shares: “I am truly thankful to Al Jalila Foundation for this support which eased a significant financial burden, and more importantly, strengthened my determination to serve others through medicine.”

Her journey at the university has been one of remarkable growth and transformation. From a diligent student in pursuit of knowledge, she evolved into a clinical tutor, guiding her peers and supporting younger students with growing expertise.

Today, as Reem contributes to medical education and patient care, she stands as a testament to Al Jalila Foundation’s mission of empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals through learning.