Dubai: Malabar Gold and Diamonds has donated Dh10 million to Al Jalila Foundation to support research in genetic diseases and disorders, it was announced on Wednesday.
The flagship company of Malabar Group, a diversified Indian business conglomerate, said the move is part of the company’s three-year Dh50.31 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and part of their commitment to make a difference in people’s lives.
More than 350 million people worldwide suffer from rare diseases, 80 per cent of which are linked to genetic disorders, the Group said. The contribution for research will ultimately reach the entire world population, in particular developing countries, as genetic diseases are more severe in these countries.
Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, handed over the cheque to the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation at a ceremony.
“It gives me immense pleasure to announce our small and humble contribution of Dh10 million to Al Jalila Foundation to support research in genetic diseases and disorders in the UAE – a nation that has developed so much in such a short time,” he said.
Al Jalila Foundation is a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research. It was founded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 2013 to position Dubai and the UAE at the forefront of medical innovation.
Al Jalila Foundation promotes medical education and research by investing in the UAE’s medical treatment capabilities, provides scholarships to nurture a home-grown generation of medical professionals and supports ground-breaking research that addresses health challenges prevalent in the region.
In 2017, the Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre is set to open and will be a beacon for regionally relevant medical innovation produced by home-grown biomedical researchers. The UAE’s first independent multi-disciplinary medical research centre will focus on five of the most pressing regional health challenges — cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health.
