H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Special Recognition Award
2011-2012
Sultan Bin Khalifa & His Pledge to the Humanitarian Cause
His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Advisor to His Highness the President of the United Arab Emirates, has initiated several magnanimous projects for the need and benefits of local, regional and international community. The contribution spreads across many aspects of community service, covering different fields such as health, education and humanitarian services.
H.H Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan has been deeply committed for the welfare of Thalassemia Community since a long time, having initiated several magnanimous projects for the benefit of Thalassemia patients and their families. As an extension of His vision to recognize individuals and group efforts His Highness established the first International Award in the Field of Thalassemia “Sultan Bin Khalifa International Thalassemia Award“ in Abu Dhabi , in partnership with Thalassemia International Federation (TIF ).
This Award is dedicated to value substantive efforts and contributions that have been made towards improving quality of life of patients with Thalassemia & other Hemoglobinopathies, by Individuals & Institutions, at National, Regional or International level.
In addition, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khlaifa has established “Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation” with its main goals to: Provide Humanitarian & charitable services to deserving and needy; either directly or through dedicated organizations in the UAE, collaborate with other officially recognized establishments and organizations assisting in various community development projects and humanitarian efforts, support the grant of scholarships to deserving students to attain higher education and skills in specialized areas that have direct impact in improvement of community health.
His Highness has initiated the opening of Thalassemia Center of the Fujairah Government Hospital, provided it with the latest medical and therapeutic equipments.A recreation Hall for the Thalassemia patients was also established, out of his keenness for the comfort for the patients and their families during their treatment period.
His Highness has personally participated in Blood Donation Campaigns for the Thalassemia patients and directed the staff in his institutions and companies and the community to constantly and periodically carry out such voluntary campaigns to help the patients of Thalassemia. Also the new initiative of the Regional Collaborating Office of Thalassemia International Federation as a new joint venture between Thalassemia International Federation and the Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific
Foundation .
The activities of Thalassemia International Federation (TIF) will now be extended to many countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region & Africa. This is to assist in developing the Health Policies and matters that care for Thalassemia patients locally and regionally. The support of His Highness has mainly caused the United Arab Emirates winning the opportunity for hosting the next 2013 TIF International Conference on Thalassemia and Heamogobenpathies in Abu Dhabi. His Highness’ Humanitarian efforts have not stopped at such point. His Highness has granted hundreds of wishes or children with life threatening diseases.
His Highness has offered scholarships for people in need, patients and low income citizens and residents in the UAE. His Highness signed many agreements with global and prestigious universities and colleges to provide postgraduate scholarships in the field of Thalassemia and Heamogolobenpathies.
In addition, an initiation has begun for the Master’s degree program by way of a joint venture between the Foundation and prestigious British universities in the specialty of thalassemia and Heamoglobinpathies so it would be taught for the first time in the UAE.
His Highness has extended lots of humanitarian aid to pay the debts of certain inmates at the penal and correctional facilities and institutions.
He has initiated to visit the camps of the refugees and those affected by drought, natural disasters, earthquakes and famines in Somalia, Turkey, Pakistan and other countries, rapidly moved for relief and established projects to address the consequences of such disasters. He has been present in person to oversee the provision of such humanitarian, food and medical aid.