Dubai Health

Dubai Health organized a new edition of its Clinic of Hope initiative at Al Jalila Children's Hospital, providing essential healthcare services to 600 children from various nationalities.

The initiative forms part of Dubai Health's ongoing efforts to foster a culture of volunteerism and humanitarian giving by providing diagnostic and preventive healthcare services for children, improving access to care and supporting families. It also aligns with the UAE's Year of Family.

Since its launch in March 2024, the Clinic of Hope initiative has recorded a 130% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to its first edition, bringing the total number of children supported to more than 2,100. This demonstrates the initiative's positive impact and its role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of children.

The latest edition of the clinic delivered medical care across more than 15 specialties, including general pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, ear, nose and throat (ENT), hematology and oncology, physiotherapy, nutrition, dentistry, orthopedic surgery, pediatric surgery, audiology, ophthalmology, and other specialties. 

Al Jalila Foundation plays a vital role in enabling Dubai Health’s vision to advance health for humanity through the integration of Care, Learning, Discovery, and Giving. Through its A’awen program, which provides medical assistance to UAE-based patients through Dubai Health facilities, the Foundation covered the treatment costs of children requiring advanced medical interventions, ensuring they are able to continue their care journey.

The event was held in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA), Emirates Red Crescent, and Emirates Literature Foundation. It also saw the participation of several private sector partners and more than 140 volunteers, including medical, nursing, and administrative teams, as well as students from the University of Sharjah, and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, the heart of Dubai Health, which enables learning and discovery to advance health for humanity.

Enriching experiences 
The initiative featured a range of interactive activities combining learning and entertainment, organized in collaboration with KHDA and Emirates Literature Foundation. Young authors led creative sessions, while UAE-based authors Ebtisam Al Beiti and Nadine Bakhous hosted storytelling sessions. The event also featured the theatrical performance “Fly Dragon Fly”, inspired by a story that carries uplifting messages of hope and positivity.  The authors concluded the activities by gifting copies of their books to the children, bringing them comfort and joy throughout their stay at the hospital.

The Emirates Red Crescent distributed gifts to the children, while the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai's beloved cartoon characters, Salem and Salama, brought smiles to their faces in an atmosphere filled with fun and joy.


Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “This initiative reflects the values of giving and solidarity that define our community. At Al Jalila Foundation, we continue to channel community contributions towards meaningful and sustainable initiatives, guided by the UAE's commitment to placing people at the heart of development and fostering a culture of philanthropy".
He added: “We deeply value the pivotal role of our partners in making this initiative possible. Their ongoing support demonstrates how collective efforts can expand the reach of humanitarian work and enable more children to receive the care they need”.


Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of the Dubai Health Women and Children's Campus, said: “Clinic of Hope demonstrates how volunteerism and community partnerships can create a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families. We believe that ensuring every child receives the care they need is a shared responsibility, and that community solidarity is key to building a healthier future for children”.
He added: "The continued success of the initiative highlights the importance of sustaining this humanitarian model to reach even more beneficiaries, reflecting Dubai Health's Patient First commitment".


Brigadier Abdulsamad Hussein Al Blooshi, Assistant Director General of the Pioneering and Future Sector at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, also affirmed that building a more cohesive society begins with institutional partnerships that place people at the heart of their work. 
He noted that the "Clinic of Hope" initiative embodies this approach by bringing together government entities and national institutions to create a meaningful humanitarian impact that touches the lives of children and their families, while reflecting GDRFA Dubai’s mission to promote happiness, enhance quality of life, and reinforce the values of giving and social responsibility. 
He added: "At GDRFA Dubai, we believe that our values extend beyond the delivery of services to embody the true meaning of happiness and positivity. Guided by this belief, our participation in the 'Clinic of Hope' initiative aimed to create a joyful experience for children through the distribution of Salem and Salama character plush toys, gifts, and ice cream. We believe that a smile is not merely a symbolic gesture, but a message of hope, and that reassurance and emotional support are an integral part of the healing journey. We also believe that partnerships that create genuine impact are those that leave a positive mark on people’s lives, contribute to building a more cohesive and compassionate society, and reflect Dubai’s vision of placing people at the heart of development."

Dr. Saeed Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said: “The Clinic of Hope initiative, organized by Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, is an inspiring example of community partnership that places children and their wellbeing at the heart of its efforts, while creating a supportive environment that brings hope to children and their families throughout their treatment journey.”
He added: “KHDA’s participation in this initiative reflects our commitment to advancing Dubai’s Early Childhood Care and Education Strategy by working closely with partners across the government and community sectors, listening to parents’ perspectives, and engaging them in shaping policies and initiatives that respond to the needs of children and their families.
We believe that building an integrated early childhood care and education system requires genuine collaboration among all stakeholders. Such partnerships help ensure every child has the best possible start in life, while enhancing their wellbeing, learning, and development during these formative years.”

Dania Droubi, Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Literature Foundation, said: “Our mission has always been to bring the joy and comfort of stories to those who need them most. As someone who has spent my career in education, I have seen how books can spark imagination, build resilience, foster empathy, and bring people together in hope. We are deeply grateful to Dubai Health for giving us this opportunity.”
 

Dubai Health has announced a strategic collaboration with Rush University System for Health, one of the leading United States-based academic healthcare systems, ranked among the nation’s top institutions for quality, patient experience, and safety. The agreement is intended to leverage the respective expertise, capabilities, and resources of both academic health systems to support improved patient outcomes and foster continuous learning, in alignment with international best practices.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Amer Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Dr. Omar Lateef, President and CEO of Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority.

The collaboration outlines areas of cooperation spanning clinical programs and care models, quality and patient safety, performance management, digital health, research, and innovation activities. It also encompasses education, training, and workforce development across medical, nursing, allied health, and leadership domains.

Dr. Amer Sharif, said: “We value the opportunity to engage with Rush University System for Health, which brings together two academic health systems united in a shared commitment to advance health for humanity.”

He added: “Through meaningful knowledge exchange and mutual learning, we look forward to delivering better outcomes for the communities we serve while supporting the development of qualified talent across disciplines and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global healthcare destination.”

Dr. Omar Lateef, said, “This strategic collaboration creates incredible opportunities to view safety, quality, and the patient experience through a global lens — one that fosters a culture defined by best practices over geographic location. While each system has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence, we have much to learn from one another, with the ultimate beneficiaries being our patients.”

Dubai Health has launched “Dream-It, Dubai-It”, an interactive educational program designed for children to explore the world of healthcare through hands-on experiences, creative workshops, and field visits that help them develop new skills and turn their ideas into impactful projects.

The program highlights Dubai Health's commitment to providing immersive learning opportunities that enable children to explore the healthcare system, broaden their knowledge, and ignite their curiosity in an engaging and enjoyable environment, helping them grow into the thinkers and changemakers of tomorrow.

Running from July 15 to 30, the program is open to children aged 10 to 13. It aims to encourage creative thinking, and inspire participants to develop ideas that could help shape the future of care and advance health for humanity.
Throughout the program, participants will take part in hands-on experiences in artificial intelligence, robotics, gamification, virtual reality, and 3D printing, alongside workshops, interactive discussions, and exciting field visits. These activities will provide them with a broader understanding of healthcare and introduce them to its diverse specialties and fields.

Activities will take place across several Dubai Health facilities, including Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Center for Innovation and Technology, Al Jalila Children's Hospital, and Al Jalila Foundation. The program also includes visits to Etihad Museum and Dubai Future Foundation, offering participants a well-rounded educational experience that combines learning with practical application.

The program will conclude with a showcase of participants' final projects, where they will present their ideas, demonstrating what they have learned and the skills and experience they have gained throughout the program.

Children of all nationalities interested in participating and making a difference can register through the following link: https://bit.ly/4vYIsr3, or follow Dubai Health on social media for more information.