Al Jalila Foundation and Dubai SME launch Al Jalila Foundation Healthcare Innovation Center (in2Hc) to advance UAE medical entrepreneurship
Al Jalila Foundation and Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, have signed a partnership agreement to launch Al Jalila Foundation Healthcare Innovation Center (in2Hc), the UAE first healthcare incubator.
The in2Hc (read as: into healthcare) initiative is in response to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to observe 22-28 November 2015 as the National Innovation Week.
The in2Hc aims to enable aspiring Emirati doctors from a number of medical specialties to start-up their business enterprise in healthcare by providing them with the required resources and support- including facilities, funding and mentoring. The outcome of this initiative will be successful Emirati entrepreneurs who will transform healthcare in the UAE through their innovative contributions and services.
The agreement was signed by Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, and Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation.
“This quality initiative aims to expand the network of business incubators through the support of business leaders in various fields, especially the medical field. We are pleased to be partners with Al Jalila Foundation in strengthening the competencies of our national cadre in the healthcare sector. Our collaboration will see the Hamdan Innovation Incubator providing resources and opportunities for pilot projects and innovative ideas of young and entrepreneurial UAE nationals,”
commented Al Janahi.
Al Janahi added that this partnership will strengthen the entrepreneurial culture in Dubai and enable UAE national doctors establish their own businesses, thereby helping the country achieve its vision and strategy of developing and upgrading SMEs to the top position in the economic, social and cultural spheres.
“In addition to development advisory and support, we will also provide innovative medical entrepreneurs with specialized training in entrepreneurship and financial management through the Dubai Entrepreneurship of Dubai SME,” he added.
Dr. Al Olama said the UAE Innovation Week is a wonderful celebration of innovation and testament to the UAE’s commitment to be a global front-runner across a number of industries for the betterment and happiness of the nation.
“The launching of the in2Hc, which will be based at Dubai Healthcare City, is in line with Al Jalila Foundation vision to be at the forefront of medical innovation. We are delighted to support aspiring Emirati physicians to become the medical entrepreneurs of tomorrow. in2Hc offers a one-stop-shop of medical facilities and support services, including access to medical and business expertise, so that physicians can focus on building their medical practice. We look forward to inspiring a generation of healthcare start-ups to further develop local healthcare capacity and support its sustainability.”
added Dr Olama.
Saeed Al Marri, Deputy CEO of Dubai SME, explained that Hi2 will support medical entrepreneurs through consultancy and role model projects in addition to forming an advisory committee with Al Jalila Foundation to guide in establishing their business.
“Our partnership marks a unique extension to the services being provided by the Hamdan Innovation Incubator to creative and innovative UAE nationals in the professional sector. In addition to consultancy and advisory services we will organize workshops aimed at raising awareness on the importance of medical services and the exchange of knowledge and statistics in the local healthcare sector.”
Al Jalila Foundation has invited qualified Emirati doctors to register in the Medical Innovation Center. More information is available on website https://www.aljalilafoundation.ae/what-we-do/in2hc/ or by e-mail from in2Hc@aljalilafoundation.ae