The United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: The Emirati Genome Program expanded its reach with new collection centres that have been added through NMC Healthcare’s network in Abu Dhabi, following the Department of Health’s (DOH) recent guidance to integrate healthcare facilities across the Emirate in the program.

In addition to already existing collection centres which include the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, Al Towayya in Al Ain, Al Ain Convention Centre and CurePlus Medical Centre, Al Ain, citizens in the Emirates can now participate in the program by visiting NMC Healthcare’s network in Abu Dhabi, which includes NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, Bareen International Hospital, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain, NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi and NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.

The announcement was made at NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, where senior officials toured the facility and officially marked their collaborative efforts. During the event, the attendees acknowledged the important role that genomics plays in defining the future of healthcare in Abu Dhabi, and more broadly, the United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Michael Davis, Chief Executive Officer- NMC Healthcare Ltd said, “The Emirati genome program is a ground-breaking initiative by the DOH to design targeted healthcare solutions which are precise and will address not only futuristic healthcare needs but also deliver safer healthcare”.

The program aims to provide preventive and personalized healthcare for the Emirati population. This will be achieved by understanding citizens’ genetic makeup to deliver the next wave of key innovations that holds the promise for a healthier local community for the present and future generations.

G42 Healthcare experts have already built the first de novo Emirati reference genome based on DNA samples from 1,000 UAE nationals. The reference genome will be used as a type-standard to study the genetic makeup of citizens and advance the prediction, prevention, and treatment of disease for the benefit of both present and future generations.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare said, “We are pleased to partner with NMC Healthcare and expand the program’s collection centres in Abu Dhabi. The more participants the Emirati Genome Program attracts, the more comprehensive the reference data available to medical researchers becomes. Collaboration is central in the success of the EGP, with everyone having a key role to play - from citizens’ participation, to partnering with researchers, academics, and healthcare professionals to analyze the data, in addition to working with regulators to ensure that we follow the correct protocols to create community-wide awareness around the value of genomics,” added Ashish.

Details of the Emirati Genome Program, including complete participation information, can be found at www.emiratigenomeprogram.ae  or by calling 800 UAE GENOME.

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About the Emirati Genome Program

The Emirati Genome Program (EGP) is the world’s first dedicated program to ever study the Arab genome. This initiative is a strategic public-private partnership between Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, and G42 Healthcare to refine the de novo Emirati reference genome with the intention of transforming the UAE healthcare to preventive systems and future proof the health of the nation.  G42 Healthcare, the leading Abu Dhabi based HealthTech company that was responsible for setting up one of the world’s largest testing and diagnostics laboratory to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and for conducting the world’s first Pan Arab clinical trials for COVID-19 inactivated vaccine, has established a state-of-the-art research and innovation hub at OMICS Center of Excellence in Masdar City. The Emirati Genome Program (EGP) has already referenced the Emirati genome based on DNA samples from 1,000 UAE nationals using cutting edge next and third generation sequencing with artificial intelligence, and now extending the study to the wider Emirati population, making EGP the most ambitious genomic program worldwide. For more information, visit www.emiratigenomeprogram.ae 

G42 Healthcare

G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Group 42 – a leading technology company, is committed to developing a world-class, sustainable healthcare sector in the UAE. At the forefront in the battle against COVID-19, G42 Healthcare has partnered with health authorities in Abu Dhabi and specialised medical facilities to establish a massive throughput testing laboratory in 14 days and contribute to the trial effort of the UAE.

G42 Healthcare uses its advanced AI techniques and vast computing resources to accelerate the detection of COVID-19, conduct research into new vaccines and drug therapies, and map trends in the outbreak including virus mutations. The company has also developed its PPE manufacturing capacity.

For further information on G42 visit www.g42.ai 

About NMC Health

NMC is one of the leading private healthcare operators in the Gulf Cooperation Council ("GCC") with an international network of multi-specialty inpatient and outpatient clinics and hospitals, specialized maternity and fertility clinics, and long-term care homes across nineteen countries. NMC also ranks as one of the top two in-vitro fertilization operators globally. The NMC Health Group is recognized as a leading provider of long-term medical care in the UAE through its subsidiary ProVita. NMC has a total capacity of 2,207 licensed beds across its network

NMC Health Plc was placed into administration by the High Court of Justice, Business and Property Courts of England and Wales on 9 April 2020 and Richard Fleming, Mark Firmin and Ben Cairns of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators. On 27 September 2020 a number of the entities of the NMC Healthcare Ltd were placed into administration under Abu Dhabi Global Market Regulations. Richard Fleming and Ben Cairns were appointed as Joint Administrators. For full information regarding these appointments please redirect to this web page: https://nmc.ae/ 

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