With research, Dubai aims to prevent next pandemic

Dubai's Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute has been opened at a time when extensive medical research has become a crucial, urgent need.

With the Covid-19 pandemic infecting over 20 million people and claiming 728,000 lives across the world, the facility seeks to contribute to global efforts to fight the virus and prevent potential outbreaks in the future, the emirate's government said in a statement on Tuesday as it announced the centre's opening.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the institute, stressing the importance of medical research in the country's development.

"Scientific research has been the main approach of scientists and researchers for many centuries in our region and is key to building a stable and prosperous future," he said.

As researchers work round the clock - finding ways to contain Covid-19 and cushion its impact on people - this new centre aims to create an 'integrated health map' and provide the world with sound, specialised medical research.

The latest technologies will be used in studies, as pioneering research projects are funded.

It aims not only to address the Covid-19 pandemic - but also to prevent such devastating outbreaks in the years to come. "The institute will boost medical innovation, accelerate the use of artificial intelligence to monitor new diseases and develop proactive plans to contain outbreaks," the authorities said.

By creating an integrated medical database using big data analysis, the centre will support global efforts to find treatments and vaccines for communicable diseases.

Honing the next innovators

Besides ramping up efforts to address today's pandemic challenge, the institute seeks to encourage young researchers to pursue medical and scientific research and motivate institutions to support research as part of efforts to advance healthcare systems in the Arab world.

With all these goals and innovations, the facility - located at Al Jalila Foundation - shall reshape and advance the country's healthcare sector, said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the foundation. "The Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute will help boost medical innovation and empower the next generation of professional researchers in different biomedical fields."

A crystal tribute to Sheikh Mohammed

A crystal installation featuring the profile of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has been unveiled during the inauguration of the emirate's new medical research facility.

Called 'Crystals of Hope', the installation pays tribute to Sheikh Mohammed's role in supporting innovation and research and advancing the country's healthcare sector. It also features the names of 25 donors who have invested in medical research.

The research centre's mission, goals

> It will provide the global research community with sound, specialised medical research

> It will monitor new diseases by using artificial intelligence

> It will develop proactive plans to prevent future outbreaks

> It will maximise big ?data to help find treatments, vaccines

> It will provide a platform for researchers to exchange knowledge and expertise

> It will develop the next generation of innovators in health sciences

> It will forge local and global partnerships with research institutions