Al Jalila Foundationhas announced that it has invested AED59 million and transformed the lives of millions of beneficiaries with innovative medical treatment, research and education programmes.
Founded in 2013 by Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Al Jalila Foundation has invested millions in healthcare programmes in the areas of medical treatment, education and research in the UAE and globally. Relying solely on donor funding, it has reached over 1.6 million beneficiaries from 129 nationalities.
On a local level, the foundation provided 55 research grants and 6 fellowships to advance research into the biggest health challenges in the region, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental health.Al Jalila Foundation awarded scholarships to 58 Emiratis across a range of medical specialties in the UAE and abroad. H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, underlined the importance of such programmes in the foundation’s 2016 report. “By championing home-grown solutions to overcome tomorrow’s health challenges, we aim to make the UAE the global backbone of medical progress and innovation,” he said.
It also funded life-saving treatment for over 270 patients suffering from cancer, heart disease, limb deformities, hearing disabilities and a range of other chronic illnesses. As part of its programmes, it helped transform the lives of many children through cochlear hearing implants and through prosthetics that restore mobility. It even provided the first 3D printed hand to a young Emirati girl born with a limb abnormality.
On a global level, Al Jalila Foundation partnered with UNICEF to provide 1.6 million vaccines across 15 countries to treat maternal and neo-natal tetanus, and help 5,625 families across 35 countries get access to clean drinking water and sanitation. In partnership with Sentebale in Lesotho, the foundation helped establish the Mamohato Children’s Centre to support vulnerable children, including orphans, living with HIV and other disabilities.
