His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed the launch of the global series “Sharjah Next”, with the inaugural edition dedicated to healthcare innovation. The event was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, emphasised that the forum is more than a scientific gathering — it represents Sharjah’s commitment to human welfare, health, and well-being, reaffirming its global position in science, innovation, and knowledge. Al Mahmoudi highlighted that SPARK was established to make Sharjah a home for science, a beacon for research, and a bridge linking knowledge to practical application. Today, SPARK hosts over 10,000 innovative companies across multiple sectors, including healthcare.
Dr Asma Fikri, Director of Government and Institutional Partnerships at SPARK, presented on innovation in healthcare systems and their future impact on life and diagnostics. She expressed pride in the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, which have together published over 2,000 research papers in healthcare. These achievements, she noted, reflect Sharjah’s strong competitiveness and its pursuit of global leadership across scientific and technological fields.
His Highness attended the first panel discussion featuring Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub, Dr Humaid Al Shamsi, and Dr Vladimir Ivkovic. Sir Magdi Yacoub highlighted shared factors between cardiovascular diseases and cancer, stressing their ongoing pursuit of innovative solutions to reduce global suffering and mortality. He noted that 80% of the disease burden falls on developing nations, delaying access to quality healthcare. He also reflected on advancements in heart transplantation, describing how technologies continue to evolve, making heart, valve, and tissue transplants more effective and life-sustaining.
Dr Vladimir Ivkovic highlighted innovations in space medicine and human health research in extreme environments. He explained how the International Space Station monitors astronauts’ health to study the physiological effects of space, and he described smart applications used to track brain function, head movement, blood flow, and neurological activity to prevent injuries and help astronauts adapt to challenging conditions.
His Highness also attended a second discussion session with Khaled Al Huraimel, CEO of Beeah Group, and Dr Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of Sharjah Health Authority. Khaled Al Huraimel discussed Beeah Group’s entry into healthcare, highlighting its leadership in waste recycling, sustainability, and its growing international influence. He outlined Beeah’s partnerships with the UAE Ministry of Health, the establishment of the Wekaya medical waste project, and the Jawaher Boston Medical District, a landmark development designed to attract top medical talent to Sharjah.
On the sidelines of the event, His Highness reviewed the master plan of the Jawaher Boston Medical District, which will feature hospitals, research centers, institutes, and laboratories offering world-class, patient-centered care. The project will contribute significantly to medical studies and research, particularly in oncology, leveraging Sharjah’s and international expertise.
His Highness also signed a special edition of Nature magazine, featuring the first Sharjah Next: Healthcare research report, which provides an analytical view of Sharjah’s current position and future prospects in healthcare research. The findings revealed remarkable growth in neuroscience research, with a 25% annual increase over the past four years. Nearly 20% of Sharjah’s research focuses on neuroscience and cardiology, with over 10% among the world’s most cited studies.