Page 123 - Ministry of Economy - December 2017

Abu Dhabi launches health-care technology awards

Awards will be open to participants from around the world with winners receiving a total of Dh3 million
Abu Dhabi: Aimed at supporting innovative ideas that address key health-care challenges, the government
on Tuesday announced the launch of Technology Innovative Pioneer (TIP) Healthcare Awards.

The awards are being promoted by the Department of Heath – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in partnership with the
Ministry of Economy (MoE) and the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi (DED).

Individuals and institutions from around the world will be able to take part, with the selected winners
receiving a total prize of Dh3 million in investments, sponsorships, licensing and business development,
among other areas of support. The deadline for submissions is on January 31, 2018, with the awarding
ceremony set for April 2018.

The awards will be split into three main categories: patents, proof of concept and start-ups. Ideas and
projects in all categories will have to come up with solutions in treating medical issues such as diabetes,
cardiovascular disease prevention, oral health, and cancer control, among others. A panel of expert judges
will select the top 30 propositions, with the winners being selected from that group.
Keep up to date Mohammad Al Hameli, acting undersecretary of the DoH – Abu Dhabi, said the awards and competition

would encourage innovation on a global scale when it comes to the medical sector.

“In collaboration with our partners in the DED — Abu Dhabi [and the MoE], the aim of the TIP Healthcare
Awards is to create innovative solutions to the challenges of the health-care sector in the UAE by creating a
global platform that encourages innovation and competition.

“The DoH — Abu Dhabi will evaluate and bring together the ideas and innovations of a winning group of
companies and entrepreneurs that contribute to finding solutions to the challenges of the health sector, and
give them an opportunity to turn these ideas into projects or start-ups that support the health sector and the
national economy,” he added.

Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehi, undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the MoE, also spoke o
the positive benefits of providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs which, he said, would help
boost the economy.

“The empowerment of innovators and the provision of an incubating environment for their creations are top
priorities that the ministry and its partners are working on achieving.

“Innovation is one of the key pillars for enhancing the UAE’s business environment, consolidating economic
diversification policies, and boosting the UAE’s regional and global competitiveness,” he added.

Khalifa Salem Al Mansouri, undersecretary of the DED — Abu Dhabi, shared the same views, highlighting
how new and innovative ideas formed the basis of a sustainable economy in the long term.

“The DED — Abu Dhabi is committed to encouraging and empowering entrepreneurs, innovators and
emerging companies in the field of technology and innovation to enable a more diversified and sustainable
economic sector.