HEALTHCARE-
PureHealth and subsidiary Seha joined forces with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to establish a pediatric center in Abu Dhabi, according to an Abu Dhabi Media Office statement. This initiative comes after approval from Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to establish a specialized medical hub for women and children’s health. The center will provide various specialized services, including medical care to infants and children with congenital heart diseases and related complications.
SPACE-
MBRSC casts Emirati crew member for space mission: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has onboarded Emirati pilot Shareef AlRomaithi for the second group of volunteers for the UAE Analog Programme, which will kick off on 10 May at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and will last for 45 days, reports the Dubai Media Office. AlRomaithi has over 16 years of experience in the airline industry.
Background: The UAE Analog Programme kicked off its second analog study in January as part of Nasa’s Human Exploration Research Analog, which simulates space-like conditions on Earth to prepare astronauts for longer missions in space. The program is divided into four phases that are dispersed over six months. The third and fourth phases are scheduled to commence later in 2024, according to the Dubai Media Office.
STARTUPS-
Some 25 startups joined Abu Dhabi’s tech VC Hub71’s latest cohort, raising USD 122 mn in funding, according to a Hub71 statement. The startups, 81% of which are headquartered outside the UAE, operate across nine sectors, including fintech, climate tech, health tech, edtech, and mobility and logistics. They join Hub71’s “Access” program and specialist programs on digital ecosystems and climate tech, allowing them to receive up to AED 250k worth of in-kind incentives and AED 250k in cash for equity, with high-performing startups also eligible to receive a top-up of up to AED 250k in exchange for additional equity, after one year.
TELECOMS-
Telecom giant du has partnered with internet provider Expereo to extend du’s reach to global enterprises present in the UAE and government entities, a press release reads. The partnership promises improved network infrastructure, with more reliable internet connectivity and reach. It will also improve service offerings and provide tailored solutions.