Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is partnering with “Accelerating Change Together (ACT) for Cancer Care”, in an attempt to transform the way cancer is currently diagnosed and treated for better patient outcomes and more resilient healthcare systems.
With partners like pharmaceutical and biotechnology giant AstraZeneca and others ACT strives to fast-track change for equity in cancer care globally.
In line with the Department’s efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a leading healthcare destination, the association will emphasis on supporting early detection of cancer and facilitating education around precision medicine.
ACT brings international cancer community to consider how to turn ‘curing cancer’ from an ambition into a reality and to drive reforms and innovations in Oncology for the benefit of patients around the world. ACT for Cancer Care will motivate health system changemakers, research pioneers and health innovators from the Oncology community and beyond to vouch for more significant investments in screening and diagnostic tools.
BETTER DIAGNOSIS
With an ambition to back early detection of cancer, the coalition will promote diagnosis with the most sophisticated and innovative tools available and detection of symptomatic patients as early as possible.
Moreover, ACT seeks to promote screening programs aimed at testing healthy individuals to identify those having cancers before any symptoms appear. The coalition will also aim to increase the use of precision medicine and work to educate the medical community on the clinical benefits.
Within the UAE, coalition partners will focus on supporting the early detection of cancer through the use of advanced diagnostic tools and screening programmes and facilitating education around, and access to, the use of precision medicine.
Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of Research and innovation Centre at DoH and Ms. Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President, Middle East & Africa, AstraZeneca signed the agreement toward collaboration in the presence of Mr. Abdulla Bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Sir Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President Biopharmaceutics R&D at AstraZeneca.
Cancer represents a complex and ever-increasing burden on societies worldwide, so we must continue to prioritise solutions that will offer the greatest benefit to patients. Building on the advanced healthcare infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, we will work with the ACT to identify the most advanced solutions for a more sustainable model of cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Jamal Mohammad Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of DoH remarked about the partnership.
The DoH Undersecretary further added that, “The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi is continuously joining forces with leaders in the healthcare industry to adopt innovative solutions that will accelerate the diagnosis of chronic illnesses and advancement of relevant treatments. Our efforts continuously seek to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a life science and incubator for innovation. Together with our partners, we are confident that our collaborative efforts will support in revolutionizing the oncology landscape and delivering novel therapies.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Oncology Business Unit, AstraZeneca, observed that, “The speed and agility of the cancer community’s response to the pandemic makes me optimistic. Through partnership and innovation, we can stop one health crisis from fueling another and optimize care for people living with cancer, no matter who they are or where they live”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sameh El Fangary, Country President for GCC & Pakistan, AstraZeneca, updated that, “AstraZeneca is working to detect and diagnose cancer sooner and to develop and deliver novel therapies. Together with our partners, we remain resolute in our commitment to our goal of one day eliminating cancer as a cause of death.”