November 6, 2021

MoHAP, MSD discuss coordination on new COVID-19 drug

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) discussed with MSD, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, ways to enhance cooperation and coordination regarding the regulatory file for a new COVID-19 drug, which will be granted emergency marketing approval in the UAE following its approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This came up when Dr. Amin Hussein Al Amiri, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Health Regulatory Sector, inaugurated MSD’s new scientific office in Dubai Healthcare City, bringing the number of scientific offices in the UAE to 89.

MSD is a leading United States (US) pharmaceutical company specialising in tumours, vaccines, and infectious diseases.

The inauguration was attended by Meghan Gregonis, Consul-General of the US in Dubai; Cara Nazari, Managing Director, AmCham Dubai; Renan Ozyerli, President, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) region at MSD, and several officials from the ministry.

Dr. Al Amiri highlighted the ministry’s keenness to strengthen the strategic partnership with global pharmaceutical companies to ensure early access to innovative medicines, provide the best treatment to patients, and support the pharmaco-economics system in the UAE.

This is in line with the ministry’s strategy to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare to community members in accordance with the highest international standards, he noted.

“Our cooperation with MSD with regards to the regulatory file for a new COVID-19 treatment falls within the pioneering efforts being made by the UAE in terms of the effective response to the pandemic, by attracting and providing innovative medicines proven to be effective and efficient, to be incorporated into treatment protocols,”

Al Amiri underlined that the UAE’s strong commercial infrastructure and the organisational facilities provided to companies have made it an ideal destination for international pharmaceutical companies to operate and manage their operations across the region.

This has also contributed to providing a package of attractive investment opportunities for pharmaceutical companies in a highly competitive atmosphere, he noted.

Ozyerli said that early access to innovative and new medicines sets the UAE apart from other countries in the world and reflects its leadership in healthcare.

He underlined that MSD is keen to join forces with the UAE Ministry of Health to ensure the provision of innovative medicines and vaccines to patients. The company’s new scientific office is a milestone in its efforts to save lives and improve patients’ quality of life, he noted.

Source: Emirates News Agency

November 6, 2021

Saudi Consul-General hails distinguished level of health services in UAE

DUBAI, Abdullah Al-Mutawa, Consul-General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Dubai, hailed the advanced level of health services provided in the UAE, which applies the highest international medical standards, using the latest technologies and the best expertise.

This was stated during Al-Mutawa’s visit to the Saudi-German Hospital Dubai where he was briefed on the hospital’s new expansion plan, which includes three specialised hospitals and a College of Medicine.

He discussed with Dr. Reem Osman, Group CEO – Saudi-German Hospitals UAE, about the medical services provided to Saudi citizens in the UAE. He praised the level of healthcare services offered by the Saudi-German Hospitals to patients.

The Saudi-German Hospitals is one of the largest Saudi investments in the UAE private sector.

Dr. Osman said that the UAE has been able to turn into an attractive destination for investments, given its comprehensive security and stability at all levels on the one hand, and success in creating a legal and legislative environment that guarantees foreign investments on the other.

Source: Emirates News Agency

November 6, 2021

UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team members to kick off their World Championship campaign in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, The UAE national team starts the pursuit of global glory at the 26th edition of the Ju-Jitsu World Championship (JJWC), at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Zayed Sports City, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday 7 November.

The JJWC, which has attracted more than 2,000 athletes from across the global, runs until 11 November under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office.

The host national team has prepared a strong line-up for the championship, with 59 players competing in the men’s championship, consisting of experienced, youth, and emerging talents. The male team has 13 players in the adult category; 12 players in the youth category (U21s); 16 players in the under-18 category, and 18 players in the under-16 category. The women’s team is participating in the tournament with 57 players across the adult, youth, under-18, and under-16 categories.

Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi, President of the UAE and Asian Federations, and Senior Vice President of the International Ju Jitsu Federation paid a visit to the national team training camp and expressed his confidence in the players to compete at the highest level at Ju-Jitsu World Championship.

Addressing the players, Abdul Moneim said: “Competition will not be easy at the Ju-Jitsu World Championship. The sport is developing rapidly in many countries around the world, as we saw at the 5th Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championships, here in Abu Dhabi, in September. Moreover, every athlete in the championship who faces a UAE player will have the added motivation of dethrone the last edition’s champion. However, I have full confidence in what you will bring to the mat, similar to previous championships. This is your time to win gold.”

Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, stressed the national team is entering the tournament fully prepared to shine and make the Emirati fans proud.

“Our confidence in our athletes’ capability to continue what they started a decade ago has no limits. The world championship is an essential stop in their journey, and we are certain that the feelings of joy and pride that we experienced in previous world championships will be repeated this week. This generation is armed with the elements of strength and capabilities,” said Al Dhaheri.

Sunday’s competitions begin at 10 am with preliminary rounds for male and female athletes under 16 years across weight categories. The final rounds will be held on a single mat for the qualifiers in the same categories at 3 pm until 5.30 pm. The official opening ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm and will include the display of the flags of the participating countries and teams.

“We are aware of the hopes placed on us, we have prepared very well for the competition, and we promise our fans that we will fight to retain the title,” said the national team star Faisal Al Ketbi. Al Ketbi also thanked the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation for its support of national team players and its keenness to provide everything to guarantee the success of the athletes in international jiu-jitsu arenas.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Nascimento, head of the referees for the world championship, confirmed that the International Ju-Jitsu Federation is in the process of adopting a unified system for classifying belts.

He said: “Presently, each country follows the rules set by the regional federation to which it belongs. The International Federation has now taken a crucial step towards standardising the classification of belts for federations around the world. We will issue a special rulebook in this regard.”

“The classification system used in the UAE is a model to follow and we have taken the initiative to provide all the technical details related to this system to the International Federation. In the beginning, we will give certificates exclusively for the black belt holders, and eventually, we will grant other certificates as well, which will motivate athletes to reach higher levels.”

Source: Emirates News Agency