Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences announced that the work is underway to study the submitted scientific projects from a number of local faculties of medicine and health authorities to be funded by the Award during its 8th term 2013-2014, on the topics of mental health, molecular and cellular basis of disease, and health and lifestyle Education. 

Prof. Sehamuddin Galadari, Chairman of the Medical Research Grant Committee of the Award, praised the continuous generous support by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance, President of Dubai Health Authority and Patron of the Award, to the scientific research within the UAE. “Laying down the infrastructure of the scientific research in the UAE is a priority for H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid who believes in the vital role of science in the development process for nations”, he said.

“During its 7th term 2011-2012, Hamdan Medical Award has allocated around AED 2 million to fund 14 research projects from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University. The studies are being conducted under the auspices of the University. Related agreements have been signed with the researchers with the aim of regulating the rights and obligations between the two sides and ensuring the accuracy, quickness and the continuous communication between them and the staff of the Award”, Galadari said.

“The selection of the projects which have been funded by the Award was based on extensive peer review process by a panel of international reviewers. The importance of each project and the potentials of its success were well considered by the panel, in the light of their scientific value. The selected proposals deal with a number of topics such as the effects of Diabetes, Diabetes treatments, risk factors for breast cancer in the UAE, the relationship between obesity and Cancers, Psychiatric Manifestations in children with inborn errors of metabolism and the Pharmacogenomics of warfarin metabolism in UAE population”, he added. 

“I am optimistic on the results expected from the selected projects. They are being conducted by a group of the best researchers from the departments of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, including the Departments of Biochemistry, Psychiatry, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Community Medicine, Pediatrics, and Physiology”, he added.

On the other hand, Prof. Tar Ching Aw, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, praised the tireless efforts by Hamdan Medical Award in upgrading the health sectors locally, regionally and globally, particularly the scientific research in the UAE, with the aim of developing the preventive, diagnostic and treatment systems. Also, he referred to the fruitful cooperation between the faculty and the Award, wishing to strengthen the bonds of the mutual cooperation in the future. 

It is worth mentioning that since the establishment of the Award in 1999 till now, supporting the scientific research in the UAE and strengthening the bonds of cooperation with the major academic and research bodies within the UAE, especially the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, have been on the top of the Award’s priorities. Throughout the previous years, the UAE University has finalized 51 research papers supported the Award at a cost of more than AED 7 million. Such papers have supported many important decisions taken by several institutions within the UAE.