The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), which regulates the emirate's healthcare sector, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Merck, the science and technology company, to expand professional training and research in fertility and reproductive medicine. The agreement was signed during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit (ADFHS) 2026 and centers on building a dedicated training and research hub for specialists in the field.
What the agreement covers
The partnership pairs DoH's regulatory and healthcare leadership with Merck's international experience in fertility and reproductive medicine. According to the announcement, the collaboration is intended to strengthen specialist skills, open new channels for professional development, and support scientific exchange among clinicians and researchers working in this area.
A central piece of the plan is a proposed Fertility and IVF Centre of Excellence and Academy to be established in the UAE. The center would focus on structured training, workforce development, scientific education and the transfer of clinical knowledge, rather than direct patient treatment services.
Regional reach and professional development
Organizers describe the academy as a platform for knowledge exchange reaching beyond the UAE to specialists across the wider Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. The stated goal is to let practitioners from these regions share best practices and training resources rather than operate in isolation.
The MoU also outlines fellowship opportunities and professional development programs specifically for Emirati clinicians. These are intended to build local specialist capacity in fertility care and give clinicians structured pathways to advanced training, which organizers say supports the broader goal of evidence-based, high-quality reproductive medicine in the region.
What remains to be confirmed
As announced, the agreement sets out intentions and a framework for cooperation rather than finalized operational details. Specifics such as the academy's physical location, opening timeline, funding structure, enrollment criteria and curriculum have not been detailed in the announcement. Readers should treat these as developments to watch rather than confirmed features, pending further disclosures from DoH or Merck.