NMC’s Centralized Clinical Research Platform
220+
Research Applications Reviewed Since 2020
24
COVID-19 Research Studies Conducted
70+
Published research articles
20+
Industry Sponsored Trials (Phase 3 & 4 trials).
15+
Research Collaborations with Universities
120+
doctors actively engaged in research across various specialties
Advancing Healthcare Through Innovation and Research
At NMC Healthcare, research is more than a function—it is a cornerstone of our commitment to delivering world-class patient care and medical advancement. From humble beginnings in standard clinical studies, our journey has evolved into initiatives that include, large-scale trials, and impactful collaborations.
About the Centralised Clinical Research Platform
Established in 2020, NMC’s Centralised Clinical Research Platform empowers our clinical staff with an avenue to enhance their research skills and offer comprehensive support to conduct ethical and scientifically relevant research.
Key Functions:
- Central oversight through a dedicated research office
- Implementation of a robust research governance framework
- Coordination of investigator-led studies and industry-sponsored trials
- Facilitation of academic collaborations and knowledge exchange
Vision
- Generate knowledge on disease mechanisms and contribute to the development of new diagnostics, preventive strategies, innovative therapies and clinical applications that impacts quality care provided to patients.
- To be recognised internationally for excellence in biomedical and clinical research and create value for the society.
- To strengthen our position as a trusted and active partner in healthcare research in close collaboration with national and international universities and research institutions.
Mission
- Promote, support, create, and disseminate research knowledge and scholarly activity done at NMC Healthcare
- Enhance the research skills of doctor fraternity
- Increase the visibility and enhance NMC’s image through quality research
Diverse Research Portfolio
At NMC, our research spans a broad spectrum ranging from investigator-led studies to collaboration with renowned university and pharmaceutical companies for clinical trials. With over 140 doctors across various specialties actively engaged in research and over 220 research applications reviewed since 2020, NMC continues to fuel advancements in clinical knowledge and innovation.
NMC supports a wide range of research initiatives including:
- Investigator-Initiated Research
- Retrospective analyses
- Cross-sectional surveys
Prospective interventional and observational studies
- Industry-Sponsored Trials
- 12 completed pharmaceutical trials
- 7 ongoing trials across specialties
Top global recruiter for a Phase 3 Dermatology Trial
Key Focus Areas
- Critical Care
- Paediatrics
- Internal Medicine
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Nephrology
- ENT
Academic & Industry Collaborations
NMC is proud to collaborate with:
- Universities: Abu Dhabi University, University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Fatima College of Health Sciences
- Industry Partners: Leading pharmaceutical companies for clinical trial execution.
These partnerships help us bring cutting-edge therapies to patients and strengthen the UAE’s healthcare research ecosystem.
Global Recognition Through Research Excellence
Our doctors have published 70+ studies in prestigious, high-impact, peer-reviewed international journals—solidifying NMC’s reputation on the global research stage. Publications have appeared in leading journals such as:
- Journal of Clinical Virology
- Journal of Infection and Public Health
- World Journal of Virology
These accomplishments reflect our unwavering commitment to scientific rigor and innovation in clinical care.
Governance and Oversight
To uphold the highest standards of research integrity, NMC has implemented a robust governance framework anchored by two key bodies:
- A Groupwide Research Ethics Committee (REC) that ensures ethical compliance and participant safety.
- A Research Advisory Group (RAG) that fosters a culture of inquiry and supports researchers across our facilities.
Together, these entities provide oversight, guidance, and structure to promote ethically sound and scientifically impactful research across the NMC network.
NMC Research and Ethics Committee:
The NMC Research and Ethics Committee (REC) is dedicated to protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of individuals involved in research. Through a rigorous and efficient review process, the REC ensures that all studies comply with the International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines and applicable local regulations.
What the REC Does:
- Protects the rights, safety and wellbeing of human participants involved in a research project
- Safeguards participant rights, safety, and confidentiality
- Recruits research participants ethically
- Secures proper informed consent of the research participant
- Maintains clear documentation of all approved studies
- Evaluates community impact and relevance
- Oversee if research is ethically compliant with International Conference on Harmonisation
- Ensures alignment with International Conference on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practices (ICH-GCP), regulatory requirements, and NMC Clinical Research Policy are being adhered
- Delivers educational programs to train investigators and REC members in ethical research principles.
Authority & Oversight:
All NMC facilities in the Abu Dhabi region maintain an active license by DOH to conduct research.
The Research Advisory Group:
The Research Advisory Group plays a central role in advancing research across NMC by fostering, guiding, and prioritising research initiatives. It facilitates active participation in research across all NMC facilities, providing guidance to investigators on research opportunities and proposal development.
The mission of establishing the Research Advisory Group is to enhance our research capabilities and provide support to clinicians and staff in their research endeavours
What the RAG Does:
- Fosters, streamlines, guides, and prioritises research initiatives at NMC
- Facilitates active participation in research from all facilities of NMC
- Provides guidance to investigators regarding potential research opportunities and proposal development
Role of the Research Advisory Group Members:
Each NMC cluster is supported by a designated RAG member who:
- Acts as a research advisor within the respective facility, promoting research and encouraging active engagement in research activities
- Guides investigators in selecting research topics, study designs, research proposals, methodologies, and informed consent processes
- Evaluates proposed projects and provides recommendations on their feasibility and resource utilisation
- Ensure research projects clearly articulate the research question, study purpose, rationale, study design, and methods, maintaining academic validity
- Demonstrate a strong interest in the investigator's research proposals and provide continuous support throughout the research process
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Consultant Neonatologist & Chair of Neonatology Services Chair, NMC Group’s Research Ethics Committee (REC) |
Dr. Anil is a distinguished Consultant Neonatologist bringing extensive experience in neonatology and a profound commitment to ethical research practices.
As the Chair of , NMC Group’s Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Anil has been instrumental in setting up the research ecosystem at NMC, ensuring that all clinical and health research conducted within our organisation adheres to the highest ethical standards and serves the interests of the broader community.
After completing his basic medical education in India, he pursued postgraduate training in the UK, where he earned his Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health from the University of Leeds. Dr. Anil’s further pursed his specialist training in Pediatrics and Neonatology securing the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Neonatology and Pediatrics in 2006.
Throughout his career, Dr. Pillai has worked in various hospitals across the UK, including tertiary teaching hospitals such as Leeds General Infirmary, Bradford Teaching Hospitals, and St. James University Hospital. Prior to joining NMC Healthcare, he served as a Consultant Neonatologist at Bradford Teaching Hospital. At NMC, he has been instrumental in establishing the first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Abu Dhabi private sector, based in Al Ain, capable of managing neonates from 23 weeks gestation onwards.
Dr. Pillai's clinical interests include neonatal ventilation and neonatal cardiology. He has established a culture of minimally invasive ventilation in the NICU, treating extremely premature infants with non-invasive techniques to protect against long-term lung and brain damage. Additionally, he is trained in performing anatomic and functional echocardiography in neonates, enabling early identification and management of critical congenital heart diseases. NMC Healthcare
His dedication to family-oriented care is evident through initiatives such as joint ward rounds involving families in decision-making and the implementation of developmental care principles like kangaroo care. Dr. Pillai's contributions have significantly advanced neonatal care practices within NMC Healthcare and the broader medical community.
He has a great passion for teaching and training. He has been an Advance life support trainer (NLS, APLS) and has also been a trainer for the trainers course (Generic Instructor course). He firmly believes in providing training for the nursing staff thus enabling best quality of care for the babies improving both short- and long-term outcomes. He has been an invited speaker in many local meetings and those in the UK.
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Consultant Internal Medicine Chair, NMC Group’s Research Advisory Group (RAG) |
Dr. Hafez received his medical degree from Zagazig School of Medicine, followed by a Master’s and Doctorate degree from Cairo University. He went on to complete a Master of Science and a Doctorate degree at Cairo University. These advanced qualifications underscore his deep commitment to both clinical excellence and scholarly research.
He joined NMC Healthcare in 2016 and has played a pivotal role in leading the COVID-19 management team during the pandemic. His research efforts have resulted in over 130 publications in peer-reviewed indexed journals, with several papers included in the World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Database.
In addition to his clinical and research accomplishments, Dr. Hafez is deeply engaged in the international scientific community. He regularly presents at international conferences and collaborates on multinational research projects. He also contributes to academic journals through authorship, peer review, and editorial activities. These ongoing contributions reflect his commitment to the global exchange of scientific knowledge and the improvement of healthcare practices worldwide.