The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has proposed its “Genome” project for the Dubai 10X Initiative – a venture overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF).
The project is part of the organisation’s efforts to upgrade skills and knowledge among medical professionals and forecast the future of human health.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of DFF’s Board of Trustees, launched the bold plan, among a bundle of avant-garde proposals for Dubai 10X at the 6th World Government Summit, held in Dubai in February 2018.
Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, DHA’s Chairman of the Board and Director General, said, “Forming genome laboratories in Dubai signals a new phase, where our forecasts for the future of the health and medical services sector begin to materialise. The labs will establish the first national genetic database for future research, lending support to decision-makers as they set plans and strategies for the future of the healthcare sector. This, in turn, ensures Dubai’s global competitiveness and strengthens the knowledge economy.”
The Dubai 10X initiative seeks to place Dubai and its Government entities 10 years ahead of the rest of the world in all sectors, propelling the emirate into the future by implementing today what other cities around the world will be implementing 10 years from now.
According to WAM, the Human Genome Project aims to perfect gene scanning to detect changes in the genes, chromosomes, and proteins that can lead to genetic diseases, allowing researchers to prevent and eradicate chronic diseases and cancer, and reduce the financial burden for treating chronic diseases, in addition to slowing down the aging process.
“DHA is looking to target all residents of the Emirate of Dubai with this groundbreaking project, focusing on UAE nationals in the first phase of implementation,” Al Qatami explained. “The project’s timetable extends over 24 months, during which we will be collecting samples, analysing DNA sequences, and recording the results in the data bank. The following phase involves automated learning and artificial intelligence to issue reports that support research, forecast future disorders and epidemics, and plan preventive measures.”
DFF’s CEO Khalfan Belhoul said, “There is a significant shift sweeping across businesses, sectors, and institutions in Dubai. The Dubai 10X initiative has provided unprecedented models for a new generation of government services that will lead the world. The emirate has already surpassed its competition with regards to studying the human genome, owing to DHA’s project, which further cements Dubai’s global competitiveness and leadership in the healthcare sector.”
Overseen by the DFF, the Dubai 10X Initiative seeks to place Dubai Government entities 10 years ahead of the rest of the world in all sectors, propelling the emirate into the future by implementing today what other cities around the world will be implementing 10 years from now.
