The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) to strengthen healthcare resilience and sustainability in the emirate. This partnership was established during the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025 (ADGHW).

Credit: WAM

The signing was attended by Dr. Rashed Alsuwaidi, the Director-General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. Dr. Salama Jamal Husain bin Rafeea, Acting Director of the Centre of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, signed the MoU along with Jordan Ghawi, Chief Strategy Officer at STRAC. The collaboration aims to create integrated healthcare frameworks, ensuring high-quality care delivery during crisis situations and enhancing emergency response mechanisms.

This partnership will also promote knowledge exchange, coordinate stakeholders, and foster innovation in critical healthcare decision-making. This initiative further positions Abu Dhabi as a global leader in sustainable healthcare solutions. Dr. Alsuwaidi emphasized the importance of resilient and sustainable health systems, stating that they are essential for stable communities. He highlighted that the collaboration with STRAC is set to drive transformative initiatives to improve emergency preparedness and crisis response capabilities.

Dr. Alsuwaidi noted that by leveraging global expertise and building international partnerships, DoH is redefining healthcare sustainability and enhancing access to world-class care. He expressed that these efforts contribute to the emirate’s mission of fostering a healthy population and ensuring continuous resilience and innovation for future generations.

Jordan Ghawi remarked that STRAC’s experience in developing robust regional emergency healthcare systems shows that resilience must be cultivated before a crisis occurs. He acknowledged that this partnership with DoH combines operational insights with a visionary approach to healthcare, aiming to create sustainable and agile health systems that protect lives and elevate care across borders.

Additionally, DoH and STRAC plan to collaborate on emergency medical services, pre-hospital operations, healthcare data systems, and public awareness initiatives. This aims to implement global best practices and promote excellence across the sector, aligning with the emirate’s vision for a healthy population and best-in-class care. By maximizing synergies between both organizations, this partnership seeks to enhance patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and foster a healthier community for everyone.