Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently hosted a significant workshop in Dubai, titled “Developing Frameworks Related to the Governance of Health Research Ethics in the UAE.” The event featured a gathering of experts from various sectors, including strategic health partners, academic institutions, and the private sector, to discuss and enhance the regulatory frameworks for health research in the United Arab Emirates.
According to Emirates News Agency, the workshop was a collaborative effort with the National Centre for Health Research and experts from Monash University, Australia. Participants focused on updating the frameworks to support the UAE’s health research system, aiming to maintain its excellence and global leadership in healthcare research and innovation. The discussions also centered on fostering effective participation among all stakeholders, enhancing partnerships, and facilitating robust collaborations across different sectors.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, the Assist
ant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the importance of the proposed frameworks. These frameworks, developed in conjunction with Monash University, adhere to international best practices and encompass various critical aspects. These include health research ethics, guidelines for health research ethics committees that clarify roles and responsibilities, mechanisms for accrediting these committees, and regulations for responsible conduct in health research to uphold professional commitments.
Furthermore, MoHAP Undersecretary Dr. Mohammed Salim Al Olama emphasized the ministry’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with both local and international partners to standardize health research regulations and procedures. This collaboration aims to enhance cooperative research efforts throughout the UAE and support initiatives that improve healthcare quality, reinforcing the UAE’s status as a hub for health innovation.
Dr. Al Olama also stressed the ministry’s focus o
n establishing unified regulations for health research ethics, which are vital for ensuring that research adheres to responsible practices and safeguards participants’ rights, particularly in clinical research.
Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Qayed, Director of the National Centre for Health Research, highlighted the importance of unifying health research ethics frameworks to ensure adherence to scientific integrity, transparency, and responsibility throughout the research process. He noted that partnerships provide valuable opportunities for exchanging experiences and insights, which are crucial for building a sustainable research environment in the country and enhancing the UAE’s leadership in health research.