Two champions of organ donation, diabetes care in UAE win Dh200,000 each in Hamdan bin Rashid Foundation’s medical awards

Dubai: The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences on Thursday honoured two healthcare professionals in the UAE with Dh200,000 each for their contributions to organ donation and diabetes care.

The Medical Excellence Awards of the Foundation carry a prize pool of Dh2 million for winners in five categories.

Dr Ali Abdulkarim Al Obaidli, Consultant in Nephrology and Organ Transplantation, and Chairman of the National Organ Transplantation Committee at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Dr Fatheya Fardallah Al Awadi, Consultant and Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Department and Director of Medical Divisions at Dubai Hospital (who is also the President of the Emirates Diabetes and Endocrine Society) were honoured for their efforts in advancing healthcare in the UAE.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum, Supreme President of the Foundation, presented the awards at a ceremony held at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai. It was attended by several dignitaries, including Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention; Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation; and Dr Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Hamdan Foundation.

The 2024 Medical Excellence Awards, the 24th edition, honoured groundbreaking contributions in various medical fields.

The highest award amount of Dh370,000 was presented to Professor André Megarbane of Lebanese American University, who received the Arab Award in Genetics for his pioneering research in human genetics, which has significantly improved the early diagnosis of genetic disorders in the Arab world.

In the Arab Award for Research in Healthcare category, two teams were recognised with Dh200,000 each:

• A research team from King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre for their study on the challenges of interpreting genetic variants in patients with Mendelian diseases.

• A joint research team from Hamad Medical Corporation (Qatar), Kuwait University, and Istanbul Medipol University, for their study on transitioning to oral antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteremia cases.

The Best Research in Healthcare Award carrying Dh100,000 was presented to three winners:

• A research team from University of Sharjah, Al Qassimi Hospital and Tawam Hospital for the study ‘Innovation in pneumonia treatment using interpretable machine learning’.

• A research team from Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and University of Sharjah for the study ‘Efficacy of pharmacological treatments for over active bladder in children and adolescents’.

• A research team from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for the study ‘Testicular torsion: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Improve Outcomes in Cases’.

The Innovation in Healthcare Award carrying Dh250,000 each was given to two pioneering projects:

• The UAE Lung Transplant Programme, ‘Hope with Every Breath’, which has provided advanced solutions for patients in need of lung transplants.

• The ‘Diabetes Risk Calculator for Fasting During Ramadan’ project, which developed innovative digital tools to enhance diabetes management during the holy month.

The ceremony marked the first edition following the integration of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences with the Medical Excellence Awards, unifying efforts under a more comprehensive and impactful identity.

Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan Al Maktoum highlighted the significance of the award instituted by his father, the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, former Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance and Industry.

“The awards we present today are not merely a recognition of outstanding winners but also a message of gratitude and appreciation for their efforts, which have contributed to enhancing the quality of healthcare services, advancing medical research, and alleviating patients’ suffering,” he said.

Sheikh Rashid said it is a tribute to dedication and sincere work within an advanced healthcare system, which enjoys the utmost care and support from the UAE leaders and rulers.

Sheikh Rashid added: “As we celebrate the recognition of these distinguished individuals—scientists, researchers, doctors, administrators, and institutions in the healthcare sector—we are also celebrating a noble journey of giving that began with the blessed initiative of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

Health minister Al Owais highlighted the UAE’s role in fostering medical excellence, adding: “Over the past twenty-four years, this award has proven its vital role in recognising the most significant medical and scientific advancements and celebrating the brilliant minds that have shaped the future of healthcare.”