Dubai Health organizes fourth edition of Clinic of Hope

Dubai Health organizes fourth edition of “Clinic of Hope” to provide free treatment to children

The initiative’s 4^th edition was in collaboration with GDRFA and Emirates Literature Foundation

• A total of 1,542 children from different nationalities have benefited from the initiative since it was launched in March 2024
• The initiative has recorded a 92% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to its first edition

Dubai, UAE, 28 October 2025: Dubai Health organized the fourth edition of the Clinic of Hope initiative at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, aligning with its mission and supporting the Year of Community, which embodies the leadership’s vision for a cohesive and sustainable society.

The multi-specialty pediatric clinic aims to provide essential, free healthcare services to children in need. This year, more than 500 children of various nationalities benefited from the initiative.

Since its launch in March 2024, the “Clinic of Hope” initiative has recorded a 92% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared to its first edition, bringing the total number of children supported to 1,542. This reflects the initiative’s success and its positive impact in promoting social responsibility.

The clinic provided medical care across more than 18 specialties, including general pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, asthma and allergy, genetics, ENT, hematology and oncology, physiotherapy, nutrition, mental health, orthopedics, pediatric surgery, audiology, and ophthalmology.

The event was held in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, the Emirates Literature Foundation, the Modern Sports Training Academy (MST), and the Emirates Red Crescent. It also featured the participation of several private entities and more than 100 volunteers, including medical, nursing, and administrative teams, as well as students from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health.

The event was attended by Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO Emeritus of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Dr. Mohamed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Campus at Dubai Health; and Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health.

A Promise to Serve

Dr. Mohammed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Women and Children’s Campus at Dubai Health, said: “We are proud of the success achieved by the “Clinic of Hope” initiative since its launch last year. The initiative reflects Dubai Health’s commitment to Advancing Health for Humanity by providing essential medical care to children. The success of the fourth edition, highlights the initiative’s ability to achieve its goals and strengthen its humanitarian impact.”

Dr. Al Awadhi added that Al Jalila Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, will cover the treatment costs of children whose medical conditions require advanced interventions, in line with Dubai Health’s “Patient First” promise.

He also expressed his gratitude to all participating entities and thanked the volunteers for their efforts and contributions to the success of this initiative.

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The Clinic of Hope initiative embodies the core of our mission, to ensure that every child receives the healthcare they deserve. The inspiring vision of our leadership serves as a beacon for our efforts to strengthen social solidarity and promote a culture of giving as a deeply rooted value in the UAE.”

He added: “The continued success of the initiative reflects the collective efforts and strong collaboration with our partners across the public and private sectors, as well as the wider community. We look forward to expanding the initiative in the coming years to include more medical specialties and beneficiaries, reaffirming Dubai Health’s commitment, ‘Patient First’.”

Brigadier Abdul Samad Hussain Al Baloushi, Assistant Director General for the Sector of Leadership and Future Affairs at the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, affirmed that the participation of the Directorate in the “Clinic of Hope” initiative reflects its deep commitment to social responsibility and its dedication to contributing to initiatives that support community members and ease their hardships. This participation embodies a human-centered approach that reflects Dubai’s vision of enhancing quality of life and aligns with the UAE’s “Year of Community 2025” in fostering values of cooperation and solidarity among all members of society.

He added: “GDRFA Dubai is keen to stay close to people in all circumstances — whether by supporting health and social initiatives or through on-ground engagement that leaves a positive impact on the lives of beneficiaries. The participation of the mascots Salem and Salama in the event added an interactive element that strengthened human connection with children, alongside the distribution of symbolic gifts that reflect the spirit of community participation that defines GDRFA Dubai”.

Reading: A path to wellness

Ahlam Bolooki, CEO Emirates Literature Foundation, Director of Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, and Managing Director ELF Publishing said: “As a mother to two young girls, I’m reminded every day of the comfort and wonder that stories bring — not only to children but to people of all ages. Our participation in the Clinic of Hope was a beautiful example of how reading can nurture wellbeing, offering a moment of calm and connection even in the most unexpected places”.

Diverse activities

The initiative also featured a series of activities that combined learning and play, where children participated in reading sessions, creative arts and crafts, and interactive performances. The program included awareness activities on oral hygiene and healthy nutrition, along with fitness exercises designed to encourage children to adopt a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

The Emirates Red Crescent distributed gifts to the children, who also enjoyed meeting the popular mascots of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, “Salem” and “Salama”, in a cheerful and engaging experience. The Emirates Literature Foundation took part in the clinic with its UAE Reading Caravan, bringing the joy of reading to patients and families. Volunteers from the Foundation and its Voices of Future Generations initiative read stories aloud, creating moments of comfort and connection that highlighted the healing power of literature, while the Modern Sports Training Academy (MST) offered a variety of fun sports activities.

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