Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British drugmaker GSK to enhance vaccine distribution in the Emirate.

The collaboration aims to establish a regional vaccine distribution hub in Abu Dhabi.

DoH and GSK will work together to maximise the strategic and healthcare impacts of the newly established vaccine distribution hub.

They will explore opportunities to enable knowledge exchange and capability building through collaboration between GSK and the UAE

Also, the parties will jointly focus on prevention strategies to address public health challenges.

The strategic partnership will strengthen the role of immunisation programmes in addressing the evolving healthcare landscape in Abu Dhabi.

GSK Gulf vice president and general manager Boyd Chongphaisal said: “As a global biopharma company, GSK is dedicated to developing transformational vaccines and medicines.

“With a focus on driving innovation, we aim to positively impact millions of lives across the Gulf countries through strategic partnerships.

“Through establishing a regional vaccines distribution hub in Abu Dhabi, we will be able to meet the increasing demand for GSK vaccines in the region, Near East and South Asian countries, advancing healthcare standards and addressing public health challenges.”

DoH is the regulatory body of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector and ensures excellence in healthcare by monitoring the health status of the population.

The health regulator defines the strategy for the Emirate’s health system, monitors the health status of the population and analyses the performance of the system.

It also outlines the regulatory framework for the health system, inspects against regulations, enforces standards, and encourages the adoption of best practices.

In June last year, Abu Dhabi’s health regulator DoH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate with US-based pharmaceutical firm AbbVie and Abu Dhabi-based M42.

M42 is an integrated healthcare company, established through the combination of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health.

The collaboration aims to advance precision medicine and genomics for the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Abu Dhabi.

Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) undersecretary Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi said: “Reinforcing Abu Dhabi`s position as a leading destination for health life-science, the Department`s collaboration with GSK reinforces Abu Dhabi`s commitment to enhancing healthcare services, ensuring drug and vaccine security, and fostering resilience in the healthcare sector.

“By cultivating partnerships on the global stage, Abu Dhabi has earned a catalyst role in strategically mapping the future trajectory of the healthcare industry, focusing on improving patient outcomes, strengthening healthcare systems, and promoting equitable access to essential medicines and vaccines.

“This collaboration underscores our dedication to fostering innovation, technological advancement, and sustainability in the healthcare sector, ultimately contributing to the well-being of our local population and those in need around the world.”