Coronavirus: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to launch new Covid-19 research after securing $10 million funding boost

The medical centre will use part of the grant from financial group Citi to investigate local infection patterns

Residents wear face masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Qasr Al Watan presidential palace reopened to public tours with strict Covid-19 measures in place. Victor Besa / The National

A Covid-19 safety sign outside a shop at Al Qahirah Street, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A swing is cordoned off along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi, as part of Covid-19 precautionary measures. Victor Besa / The National

A sign advising the public of measures against Covid-19, on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors arriving at Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island are reminded of precautions against Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

Louvre Abu Dhabi visitors adhere to measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. Victor Besa / The National

A technician carries out tests for Covid-19 at MenaLabs Medical Laboratory in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is to launch new research into the UAE's Covid-19 infection patterns after securing $10 million of key funding.

Multinational financial services group Citi pledged the grant to help medics better understand the spread of the virus and support their wider healthcare projects.

The investment will aid the development of a number of research projects being undertaken at the clinic as well as ensuring it can hire additional staff.

This crucial funding will also be used to accelerate the progress of a new cohort of staff, consisting of senior physician-scientists and their teams, which include Emiratis serving as trainees and residents.

The team will drive forward new research, innovation and education schemes.

Mentored by senior staff, many of the hospital’s residents are already involved in research projects which are part of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s clinical centres of excellence, including heart and vascular, ophthalmology, as well as cancer studies.

“As part of our mission to serve the community, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is focused on clinical excellence, education and research," said Dr Murat Tuzcu, chief academic officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

"With the support of Citi, we were able to boost our research excellence to complement our medical education capabilities, enhance our innovation footprint and ultimately improve the quality of care delivered to our patients.”

Elissar Farah Antonios, who heads Citi's operations in the UAE, Levant and Iraq, said the cash injection was part of the global fight against the pandemic.

“Our collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is in line with our mission of enabling progress, by enhancing the capacity of a world-class medical provider,” she said.

“The use of a portion of the grant to fund Covid-19 research in the UAE adds to our global efforts in the fight against the pandemic.”

Citi has donated more than $4m to organisations across the Mena region to bolster Covid-19 relief efforts as part of a $100m fund dedicated to the worldwide mission to overcome coronavirus.