The Global Health Network proudly announced the official launch of its Middle East North Africa (MENA) Regional Hub, an initiative set to revolutionise health research, education, and practice across the region. The launch event was held at the Canadian University Dubai (CUD) on October 21, 2024, and brought together leading experts, policymakers, and academic institutions to chart a path toward a healthier and more resilient future for the MENA region.

The MENA Regional Hub is a crucial part of The Global Health Network’s global mission to expand research capacity, equity, and leadership in health research. This new regional initiative aims to enable health research in every healthcare setting, ensuring that research is conducted by those who are directly impacted by the evidence and that the benefits are shared across the region. By providing an inclusive platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, the MENA Hub seeks to strengthen research capabilities and improve health outcomes in the Middle East and North Africa.

The launch event at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) commenced with a keynote address by Professor Trudie Lang, Director of The Global Health Network, University of Oxford. This was followed by the inaugural address by Mr. Buti Al Ghandi, Chancellor of CUD.

A key highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion titled “Building a Resilient Future in Public Health Education and Research in the MENA Region,” moderated by Dr. Marguerite Claire Sendall of CUD. The panel featured insights from distinguished experts, including:

• Prof. Trudie Lang (University of Oxford)
• Prof. Sara Ahmed (McGill University)
• Prof. Khaled Alsurimi (University of Doha for Science and Technology)
• Dr. Mehrnaz KHEIRANDISH (WHO-EMRO, Egypt)
• Dr. Zayid K. Almayahi (CDC MENA regional office, Oman)
• Dr. Nour El Arnaout (Global Health Institute, AUB, Lebanon)
• Dr. Elsheikh Badr (International Academy of Public Health/EMPHENT, Jordan)

The panel delved into strategies for building resilient public health systems and emphasised the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to strengthen public health education and research in the MENA region.

The event also featured technical sessions, during the first session on “Sharing and Dissemination Findings of Prioritisation Study of Public Health Research” Dr Yasir Elhadi shared the outcomes of the key health priorities and research gaps identified and explored strategies for enhancing research outputs across countries in the region. The second session was on "Practice in the MENA region and Policy and Technical Discussion on Strategic Direction and Future of The Global Health Network MENA Hub" whereby discussions focused on the future of The Global Health Network MENA knowledge community and how it will continue to support research capacity building and knowledge dissemination in the region.

With 18 research institutes from across the MENA region already onboard as partners, The Global Health Network MENA Hub is positioned to play a transformative role in the future of health research in the region. The Hub will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative research aimed at improving public health outcomes.

For more information about The Global Health Network MENA Regional Hub and its activities, visit: https://mena-region.tghn.org