The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has introduced a comprehensive framework for measuring health research and development (R&D) expenditures within the UAE health sector.
The first comprehensive framework aims to boost transparency and efficiency in data collection and analysis while supporting evidence-based decision-making to enhance planning and performance.
National Centre for Health Research revealed the framework during a ceremony that took place Dubai in the presence of by Dr. Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Regulations Sector, alongside several ministry officials from the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi, the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, Dubai Health Authority, the Advanced Technology Research Council, the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City.
MoHAP highlighted that the framework comes as part of its commitment to enhancing cooperation among health, academic, and private-sector bodies, aiming to cultivate partnerships and promote performance in health-sector R&D. The framework will facilitate accurate R&D expenditures monitoring, helping the UAE meet its strategic objectives in this field.
Aligning with UNESCO and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, the document provides detailed definitions, principles and mechanisms for measuring health R&D spending. It is designed to help health authorities, healthcare institutions, academic bodies, and private companies systematically gather and measure R&D expenditures.
The framework will help strategic partners adopt global best practices and standards for measuring R&D expenditures. It will also boost competitiveness by refining indicators such as the ratio of spending to GDP and fostering transparency and efficiency in tracking actual expenditures on research and development.
Dr. Amin Hussein Al-Amiri Assistant Undersecretary Health Regulation Sector
“Beyond enhancing healthcare quality, health research and development will bolster the UAE’s reputation internationally, thanks to its robust collaborations with academic and health institutions within UAE and abroad. Health research is a transformative force that guides us toward a better future, allowing for foreseeing emerging health challenges and shaping an integrated strategic vision. As part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts, in collaboration with its partners, to foster a dynamic ecosystem for development and empirical research in the health sector, we are committed to enhancing and improving competitive indicators in research and innovation at both the national and international levels.”
Al Amiri also highlighted that investing in health research is an investment in the future and well-being of the UAE community, adding that the UAE has achieved notable milestone in health research funding, with a growth rate three times higher than the global average. This is the result of the nation’s commitment to cementing the UAE’s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation and research, in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and the ‘UAE Centennial 2071’ Plan.
