Abu Dhabi institute brings UAE’s disease prevention and AI expertise to New York

An Abu Dhabi-based global health institute, Glide, is leveraging the UAE's expertise in disease elimination and artificial intelligence (AI) to assist other countries in adapting to rapid technological advancements, according to Dr Farida Al Hosani, the institute's CEO. In New York, Glide announced new AI training programs for public health leaders and formalized a partnership with Nigeria and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria aimed at helping countries hardest hit by malaria utilize new technologies according to their priorities.

Dr Al Hosani highlighted that AI could help address long-standing gaps in healthcare access and expertise, particularly for low and middle-income countries that are left behind due to limited utilization of AI's potential. Glide joined Nigeria and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria at the UN General Assembly high-level week to convene ministers, funders, diagnostics leaders, and health advocates to discuss how AI could aid countries in making better use of limited resources, particularly through improved disease surveillance.

The gathering concluded with Glide and RBM signing a Letter of Mutual Understanding to support country-led malaria control and elimination, linking national programs with global expertise, AI, and technical innovation. Nigeria, which bears the largest share of the global malaria burden, co-hosted the event.

Al Hosani also unveiled two training programs designed to equip health officials with the skills to use AI effectively, rather than merely importing technologies from other countries. One program, Glide Leadership Excellence in AI for Health, targets senior decision-makers, while the other, AI for All, is tailored for public health professionals in collaboration with Abu Dhabi's Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Glide is already piloting AI-assisted microscopy in Madagascar to detect and diagnose neglected tropical diseases, allowing for the identification of multiple diseases in a single setup and addressing the shortage of specialists in conventional microscopy. The institute is currently conducting about 14 projects across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

For disease elimination to be sustainable, it must be integrated into broader health systems, according to Dr Al Hosani. The UAE has supported global efforts against polio, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases through initiatives while simultaneously developing its AI sector. Glide serves as a bridge between neglected tropical diseases and AI advancements, leveraging its expertise to support countries most in need.