The Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences was established on 10 April 1999, when Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, issued the Supreme Decree No. (5) to establish the award, with the objective of honouring scientists from every part of the world who pursue medical research that serves the larger interests of humanity.
The award recognizes the importance of scientific research in the UAE, and funds domestic health research.
All contributors to the alleviation of sufferings of patients and care for community health are eligible for the award.
The topics of the first term, 1999-2000 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Recombinant Vaccines in Infectious Diseases, Genetics in Diabetes, Therapy in Leukemia.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Denton Cooley (US) - Cardiovascular Medicine and Surgery
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Prof. Andrew McMichael (UK) - Recombinant vaccines in infectious diseases
C. Ronald Kahn (US) - Genetics in Diabetes
Dr. Anne Dejean (France) and Dr. Pier Paolo Pandolfi de Rinaldis (France) - Therapy in Leukemia
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Abdul Sattar Edhi (Pakistan)
Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Dr. Abdul Rahim Jaffar (UAE)
Dr. Joseph Muscat Baron (UAE)
Dr. Jumaa Khalfan Belhoul (UAE)
Late Dr Mohammed bin Habib Al Redha (UAE)
Late Dr. Amina Kazim (UAE)
Sultan bin Ali Al Owais (UAE)
The topics of the second term, 2001-2002 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Obstetrics & Gynecology, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Gene Therapy of Inherited Disorders, Pathogenesis and Therapy of Autoimmune Disorders, Apoptosis in Disease & Health. Infertility is probably the single most common ailment to afflict men and women of reproductive age. It has been estimated that the level of infertility in the community is probably one out of every seven couples of reproductive age.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Robert Edwards (UK) - Obstetrics & Gynecology (Infertility)
In 2010, Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine "for the development of in vitro fertilization".
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Martin Raff (UK) - Apoptosis in Disease & Health
William French Anderson (US) - Gene Therapy of Inherited Disorders
Prof. Ake Lernmark (US) and Prof. Foo Yew Liew (UK) - Pathogenesis and Therapy of Autoimmune Disorders
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Al Maktoum Foundation (UAE)
Dr. Ghassan bin Mohammed Shahroor (Syria)
Sharadkumar Dicksheet (India)
William Magee (physician) (US)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
Faculty of Medicine, Uninversity of Gezira (Republic of Sudan)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Dr. Al Sayed Jaafar Al Sayed M. Al Sharaf (UAE)
Dr. Saud Kayed Al Qassimi (UAE)
Dr. Zainab Abdulla Kazim (UAE)
Mr. Fareed Abdulla Saleh Al Gurq (UAE)
Mr. Sulaiman bin Ahmad Al Houqani (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Frank Christopher Howarth (KSA)
Dr. Jaffar Ali bin Abdullah (KSA)
The topics of the third term, 2003-2004 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Renal Diseases: Pathogenesis & Management, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Emerging Viral & Prion Diseases, Minimally Invasive Surgical Technology, Prevention & Non-invasive Therapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders. Renal disease affects people of all ages and lead to considerable distress and early death for a significant number of persons. Kidney disease appears at all ages with newborn babies being affected with congenital and genetic problems, young children developing kidney problems as a primary condition or as a complication of other disease. The elderly, especially, are prone to develop kidney problems and renal failure as their health deteriorates.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Robert William Schrier (US) - Renal Diseases - Pathogenesis & Management
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Adriano Aguzzi (Switzerland) - Emerging Viral & Prion Diseases
Prof. John Forte (US) - Prevention & Non-invasive Therapy of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Ara Darzi, Baron Darzi of Denham (UK) - Minimally Invasive Surgical Technology
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Human Relief Agency (Egypt)
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment (UAE)
Adeebul Hasan Rizvi (Pakistan)
Palestine Children's Relief Fund (Palestine)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Kaser Al Aini Medical College, Cairo University (Egypt)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KSA)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Dr. Hussein Mohamed Habib (UAE)
Dr. Jumaa Bilal Fairouz (UAE)
Rafia Ghubash (UAE)
Mr. Haj Saeed bin Ahmed AlLootah (UAE)
Mr. Abdulrahman Ali Abdullah Ahli (UAE)
Late Dr. Mahmoud Kazem (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Al Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Emergency & Critical Care Department, Rashid Hospital, Dubai (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Alice Abd El Aleem (UAE)
Dr. Mohammad Amjad Kamal (UAE)
Dr. Omar Trad (UAE)
Dr. Sarfraz Ahmad (UAE)
Dr. Valsamma Eapen (UAE)
Prof. Senarth Dissanayake (UAE)
The topics of the fourth term, 2005-2006 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Neurological Disorders, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Biology of Aging, Cytokines in Pathogenesis & Therapy of Diseases, Pathogenesis of Hypertension. Neurological disorders are more prominent today than at perhaps any other time in history. Neurological disorders affect the central nervous system, the peripheral nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. Scientists use the tools of molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology to probe into and advance in understanding the processes, which underlie neurological disorders.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Colin L. Masters (Australia) - Molecular and Cellular Pathology of Neurological Disorders
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Charles A. Dinarello (US) - Biology of Aging
Prof. Christian Hass (Germany) - Cytokines in Pathogenesis & Therapy of Diseases
Murray Esler (Australia) - Pathogenesis of Hypertension
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Direct Aid (Kuwait)
Human Appeal International (UAE)
Magdi Yacoub (UK)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
College of Medicine & Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University (Bahrain)
Urology & Nephrology Centre, Mansoura University (Egypt)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Dr. Mirza Ali Hassan Al Sayegh (UAE)
Dr. Muhammad Hassan Yasin (UAE)
H.E. Hamad Abdulrehman Al Midfaa (UAE)
Late Dr. Ahmad Yazbak (UAE)
Late Dr. Burwell (PAT) Kennedy and Dr. Marian Kennedy (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Thalassemia Centre, Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai (UAE)
Genetics Centre, Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai (UAE)
Sharjah Blood Transfusion and Research Center, Sharjah (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Hussein Saadi (UAE)
Dr. Maha Abdel Hadi (UAE)
Dr. Shahab Uddin (UAE)
Prof. Adekunle Hakim Dawodu (UAE)
The topics of the fifth term, 2007-2008 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Stem Cells Research, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Therapy in Malignancy, Molecular Therapy in Drug Targeting (Pharmacogenomics), Organ & Tissue Transplantation. Stem cells are one of the most fascinating areas of biology today. Knowledge in this field has advanced in the area of healthy cell replacement of damaged cells and in the area of the development of an organism from a single cell, a promising area of science leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease. Scientists have hypothesized that stem cells may be the basis of treating diseases like Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Donald Metcalf (Australia) - Stem Cell Research
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Dr. H. Lee Sweeney (US) - Molecular Therapy in Drug Targeting (Pharmacogenomics)
Axel Ullrich (Germany) - Therapy in Malignancy
Roy Yorke Calne (UK) - Organ & Tissue Transplantation
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (UAE)
Marshal Abdurrahman Mohamed Hassan Swaruddahab (Sudan)
Proyecto Vision (Barcelona)
Society for Health Education (Republic of Maldives)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Faculty Of Medicine & Health Sciences, UAE University (UAE)
Syrian Center For Tobacco Studies (Syria)
Hamdan Award for Honoring Distinguished Personalities from the Arab World:
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awadhi and Dr. Sadika Al Awadhi (Kuwait)
Dr. Mohammed Mikati (Lebanon)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Dr. Salem AI Mahmood (UAE)
Mr. Abdulgani Mohammed Habib (UAE)
Mr. Mohammad Ibrahim Obaidullah (UAE)
Prof. Lihadh Al-Gazali (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Rashid Hospital, Dubai (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Aburrahman I AI-Diab (KSA)
The topics of the sixth term, 2009-2010 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Diabetes Mellitus, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Obesity, Osteoporosis, Thyroid Disease. Many questions about development of diabetes and its complications remain unanswered. For example, not all individuals are equally susceptible to diabetes or its complications. Differences in the genetic make-up of people, and perhaps differences in early-life conditions, must account for this. Finding genes or other markers associated with the development of diabetes and its complications potentially offers avenues for improved screening, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Prof. Jaakko Tuomilehto (Finland), Prof. Paul Zimmet (Australia) - Diabetes Mellitus
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Jeffrey M. Friedman (US) - Obesity
Prof. John A. Kanis (UK) - Osteoporosis
Prof. P. Reed Larsen (US) - Thyroid Disorders
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
CURE International (US)
Dr. Ashok Gupta (India)
Prakash Amte and Mrs. Mandakini Amte (India)
Zayed Initiative Bid (UAE)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, St. George Medical Center (Lebanon)
Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University (Egypt)
Hamdan Award for Honoring Distinguished Personalities from the Arab World:
Dr. Hussein Al Gezairy (KSA)
Kamel Ajlouni (Jordan)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Abdullah Al Khayat (UAE)
Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi (UAE)
Late Prof.Dr.Salah El-Kalla (UAE)
Salma Al Sharhan (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Samir Attoub (UAE)
Dr. Ghazi Alsbeih (KSA)
The topics of the seventh term, 2011-2012 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award -Neonatal Medicine, and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Fetal Medicine, Nutrition in Infants, Inborn Errors of Metabolism. Benefits of antenatal care have been recognized by most mothers, and has resulted in the decrease in incidence of neural tube defects and the fetal alcohol syndrome. Complex new technologies like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and simple ones like the administration of surfactant resulted in increased survival of very small babies who would have succumbed to their illnesses a few years ago.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Prof. Jeffrey Whitsett (US) - Neonatal Medicine
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Nicholas Wald (UK) - Fetal Medicine
Prof. Rebecca A Simmons (US) - Nutrition in Infants
Prof. Ronald J A Wanders (Netherlands) - Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
WAHA International (France)
Al Sabeel Association for Physically Disabled Children (Algeria)
Shershah Syed (Pakistan)
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University (Kuwait)
Prince Salman Center for Disability Research (KSA)
Hamdan Award for Honoring Distinguished Personalities from the Arab World:
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabiah (KSA)
Dr. Anna Rajab (Oman)
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE)
Prof. Dr. Mona Alrukhaimi (UAE)
Dr. Husnia Abdulla Ali Gargash (UAE)
Dr. Azan BinBrek (UAE)
Prof. Dr. Yousef Mohamed Abdulrazzaq Bastaki (UAE)
Dr. Amin Badri (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Department of Oncology, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain (UAE)
Cardiac Cath Lab Department, Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah (UAE)
Department of Neonatal Care, Latifa Hospital, Dubai (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in HMJ from inside and outside UAE:
Dr. Mahmoud Hag Ali (UAE)
The topics of the 8th term, 2013-2014 were selected to be for Grand Hamdan International Award - Drug Discovery and for Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence - Vaccines, Targeted Therapy and Cell Therapy.
International Awards
Grand Hamdan International Award:
Prof. Magid Abou Gharbia - Drug Discovery
Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence:
Prof. Stanley A Plotkin - Vaccines
Prof. Carl June - Cell Therapy
Prof. Brian J Druker - Targeted Therapy
Prof. Olle Ringden - Cell Therapy
Hamdan Award for Volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services:
Dr. Mads Fredrik Gilbert
Dr. Melvin Korkor
The Carter Center
Arab World Awards
Hamdan Award for the Best Medical College/Institute or Centre in the Arab World:
Mongi Ben Hamida National Institute of neurology
College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University
Hamdan Award for Honoring Distinguished Personalities from the Arab World:
Prof. Mohamed Ghoneim
Dr. Zohair Yousef Al Halees
UAE Awards
Hamdan Award for Honoring Individuals Working in the Field of Medicine & Health:
Late Abd Elsalam Rafie (UAE)
Dr. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al Jaziri (UAE)
Dr. Jamila Al Suwaidi (UAE)
Dr. Elham Mohamed Al Amiri (UAE)
Hamdan Award for an Outstanding Clinical Department in the Public Sector in UAE:
Department of Pediatrics, Tawam Hospital (UAE)
Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery Centre (UAE)
Hamdan Award for Original Research Paper Published in Hamdan Medical Journal:
Dr. Sirag. Bennaser (UAE)
The center is working on setting up the organizing procedures for supporting and managing conferences, scientific courses and medical symposiums to highlight the award leading role in the program fields, continuous medical education programs and community services through moral and financial support to medical events held in UAE, aiming to elevate the level of medical services, developing skills of medical staff and increasing health and cultural awareness level of community members.
The Hamdan Medical Journal (HMJ) is an online-only biomedical journal that presents original research, opinions and perspectives on aspects of international medicine. The journal publishes themed issues which provide summaries and reviews to help busy clinicians keep up to date with recent research and practice. The journal also publishes original research and other articles within each issue. The journal welcomes submissions, proposals and comments from medical practitioners around the world.
The award is offering all financial and logistics facilities to support the scientific research process in the UAE through establishing the Research Support Center, including a selection of the best specialists, who are studying all the requests, arranging the awarding process, following up procedure of scientific research directions and recognizing scientific results for all the researches issued by educational institutions and research centers which will enrich scientific research and fill the gaps of the medical science studies and researches in UAE.
