Dubai Health has organised a new edition of its charitable 'Clinic of Hope' initiative at its Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, aimed at providing essential healthcare services to children.
600 children of various nationalities benefited from the initiative. It comes in support of the goals of the 'Year of the Family' and within the framework of Dubai Health's efforts to entrench a culture of volunteerism and humanitarian giving, by offering diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive services for children, thereby helping to broaden access to healthcare and support families.
Since its launch in March 2024, the 'Clinic of Hope' initiative has recorded a 130% increase in the number of beneficiaries compared with the first edition, bringing the total number of children served to more than 2,100. This reflects Dubai Health's commitment to expanding the initiative's reach and enhancing its community impact.
Medical care
This year's edition of the Clinic of Hope provided medical care spanning more than 15 specialties, including general paediatrics, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, ear, nose and throat, haematology and oncology, physiotherapy, nutrition, and dentistry.
It also covered orthopaedic and paediatric surgery, audiology, and ophthalmology, among other specialties. The 'Aaoun' programme of the Jalila Foundation — which plays a pivotal role in embodying Dubai Health's vision to advance human health through the integration of care, learning, discovery and giving — covered the treatment costs of children whose conditions required advanced medical interventions.
The event was organised in collaboration with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, the Emirates Red Crescent, and the Emirates Literature Foundation, with participation from a number of private-sector entities and more than 140 volunteers from medical, nursing and administrative staff.
Also participating were students from the University of Sharjah and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences — which embodies Dubai Health's vision of advancing human health through medical education and scientific research — in a distinguished model of joint humanitarian work.
The initiative featured a series of interactive activities combining learning and entertainment, organised in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai and the Emirates Literature Foundation.
A group of young authors oversaw a number of activities, alongside storytelling sessions delivered by authors Ibtisam Al Baitie and Nadine Bakhous. The event also featured the theatrical performance 'Fly Dragon Fly', inspired by a story carrying inspiring messages of hope and positivity.
The activities concluded with the two authors gifting copies of their books to the children, to accompany them and bring moments of joy throughout their hospital stay. The Emirates Red Crescent distributed gifts to the children, bringing smiles to their faces, while the beloved cartoon characters of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, 'Salem' and 'Salama', interacted with the children in an atmosphere filled with joy and happiness.
On the occasion, Dr Amer Al Zarooni, Executive Director of the Jalila Foundation, said: