The Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences announced that it has received 90 new requests for funding of scientific medical projects in its 11th term (2019-2020).  These research proposals originate from UAE University, University of Sharjah, New York University Abu Dhabi, Gulf Medical University, Ras Al Khaimah University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Muhammad Bin Rashid University, American University of Sharjah, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Authority, Dubai Healthcare City, and several private hospitals.

H.E Abdullah bin Souqat, Executive Director of the Hamdan Medical Award, praised the efforts made by the scientific committees in selecting the research proposals. The selection is being made on the basis of the vision of the Award to ensure excellence in the health sector in the country.

He also stressed that the support of medical scientific research is one of the main functions of the Award, based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Dubai Health Authority. This is done through the Awards’ Center for Medical Research Support.

“The new term comes during the Covid-19 pandemic, which has presented new challenges for the health sector. The importance of scientific research in helping this sector to prioritize and modernize its structure has multiplied, in response to the requirements of prevention and treatment using modern science, such as genomics and artificial intelligence”, he added.

Prof. Sehamuddin Galadari, the Chairman of the Award’s Medical Research Grant Committee, pointed that support for these projects is not limited on being funded alone, but extends to follow-ups by the Hamdan Medical Award in all the stages of the work. Also, after completing the studies, the results will be published in the printed and electronic versions of the Award’s in-house open-access journal, the Hamdan Medical Journal, in order to reach the largest possible number of specialists and to the officials in local, regional and international health sectors.

“Since the establishment of the Award more than 20 years ago, the research support center has contributed in supporting the scientific research focus in the UAE out of the Award’s belief in the importance of scientific research as a main pillar for the development process in the UAE and its journey towards the future”, he added.