Abu dhabi: The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), AstraZeneca, and PureHealth have joined forces to establish a Rare Diseases Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi. The partnership was solidified through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the BIO International Convention in San Diego, USA.

According to Emirates News Agency, the new center is designed to be a comprehensive hub for the diagnosis, treatment, research, and education of rare metabolic, nephrological, and hematologic disorders. The initiative aims to bring together healthcare professionals and researchers to enhance care for rare diseases in the region, leveraging Abu Dhabi's advanced healthcare infrastructure and scientific expertise.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei of the DoH expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to drive innovation in rare disease care and improve patient outcomes. Sameh El Fangary from AstraZeneca highlighted the global impact of rare diseases and the importance of early diagnosis and sustained care, affirming the shared mission of ensuring no patient is left without appropriate treatment.

The partnership is an extension of a previous MoU between DoH and AstraZeneca, now welcoming PureHealth to operationalize the center. Shaista Asif of PureHealth emphasized the need for collaboration in transforming the difficult journey faced by those living with rare diseases.

The agreement outlines several key areas of focus, including the establishment of the center as a central hub for rare disease management, ensuring equitable patient access, advancing research and education, and building local clinical expertise. Together, the partners aim to create a world-class model for rare disease care, with potential benefits extending beyond the UAE.

This collaboration aligns with the vision of positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in life sciences and medical innovation, combining the strengths of AstraZeneca's global reach, PureHealth's operational expertise, and DoH's regulatory leadership.