Media Release
Ajman, Jul 14: Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) has joined hands with Gulf Medical University (GMU) in an attempt to enhance UAE’s ability to accelerate and expand research and education leading to significant improvements in care for patients with diabetes and lifestyle diseases.
A MoU to this effect was signed on Tuesday July 11 between the two institutions represented by professor Salahedeen Abusnana - chief medical officer of SKMC and professor Hossam Hamdy - chancellor of GMU, in the presence of Hamad Obaied Taryam Al Shamsi – director of Ajman Medical District. Also present at the signing ceremony were Dr Goran Lingman – hospital director of Sheikh Khalifa Women and Children Hospital and professor Gita Ashok Raj – provost of GMU. With the signing of this MoU, SKMC will work closely with GMU for joint efforts to support scientific research, health services and knowledge dissemination.
According to the MoU, both institutions will cooperate in the following: developing and training of all categories of human resources working in healthcare, collaboration and conducting joint research projects, organizing joint conferences and training, exchange of information and supporting the training of GMU students. Expressing happiness at the strategic partnership between SKMC and GMU, Hamad Obaied Taryam Al Shamsi said, “I am glad not only for the training which will now be available to GMU students, but also for the fact that SKMC is seeking to become an academic hospital. SKMC’s hospitals in Ajman and Masfout will be hosting the students of GMU’s medical college, for their internships. I also hope to see meaningful cooperation in research between SKMC’s Research Center and GMU’s Innovation and Research Center.”
Professor Salahedeen said that SKMC was delighted to enter into a strategic alliance with GMU, one of the leading medical universities in the region. “For meaningful research, it is imperative to define the research strategy, prioritize and stay focused. It is very important for institutions to collaborate with each other, to ensure social responsibility and community engagement. I am sure that this partnership between SKMCA and GMU would lead to mutually beneficial opportunities like developing specialized courses and providing training programmes to the healthcare workforce. This will also greatly benefit the patients and the students,” he added. e also expressed hope that by bringing together the scientists and clinician investigators from across the two institutions, the UAE would greatly expand the development of new technologies needed to tackle major health challenges.
Professor Hossam Hamdy said that GMU was honored to develop a strategic alliance with SKMC. “We look forward to working closely with SKMC, a leading institution in the Gulf, renowned globally for its achievements in research and studies. This is a significant step for GMU as we advance towards becoming the first private academic health system in the region,” he said. He added that this partnership was in accordance with GMU’s new strategic plan emphasizing the importance of collaborative work with leading institutions in academics, healthcare and research. “With our strategic partnerships with SKMC as well as several industry partners, GMU is now positioned to broadly disseminate discoveries and to rapidly deliver treatment to patients,” he explained.
SKMC is a key healthcare provider catering to the healthcare needs of the citizens of Ajman and its neighboring Emirates. It is one of the initiatives of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and is affiliated to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. SKMC’s vision is to be patient's first choice and it offers general as well as specialist healthcare services, working in integrated units to make sure that patients receive proper attention and a comprehensive care through all stages of treatments.
Owned and operated by Thumbay Group, GMU was founded by Thumbay Moideen in 1998. With its own network of teaching hospitals and clinics, the University is on course to becoming the first private academic health system in the country. The Thumbay network of academic hospitals and family clinics treat patients from over 175 countries, and they focus on providing high quality healthcare at affordable costs.