Centre to tackle five common diseases

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the Dh100 million Al Jalila Medical Research Centre, the first independent centre of its kind I the UAE to focus efforts on 5 diseases common in the country: diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, malignant tumors and mental diseases.

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied during his visit to Al Jalila Foundation by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Airline and group and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation; HE Mrs. Raja Al Gurg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Jalila Foundation and a number of senior officials.

Sheikh Mohammed viewed a presentation on Al Jalila Foundation’s achievements, vision and mission and future plans inspired by the visions of Sheikh Mohammed and UAE Vision 2020. Sheikh Mohammed also viewed the designs and plans of the 10-storey green building of Al Jalila Medical Research Centre.

Giving his blessing to the new project, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of promoting the culture of research and studies in all disciplines in order to advance the healthcare sector, sustainability and the welfare of patients. He also stressed on the need to promote health and wellbeing of people and to help all patients recover. Sheikh Mohammed also noted that the wellbeing of society can only be achieved when it is free of these dangerous diseases.

Praising the efforts of the employees of al Jalila Foundation and the generosity of donors, Sheikh Mohammed expressed hopes that the new facility will be a regional and global research centre that can match internationally-acclaimed research organizations in terms of expertise and reputation.

Al Jalila Foundation was launched in November 2012 by sheikh Mohammed as a global philanthropic organization dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research.