Move comes in line with SEHA's aim to provide the health services that meet international standards

Abu Dhabi, 27 September, 2010- Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA) has received approval from the Executive Committee in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to create an independent centre for Dialysis in Al Mafraq area. The centre, which is the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi, will host 68 individual dialysis units providing health services to more than 325 patients.

SEHA has also announced its plans to add two more centers similar to the one in Al Mafraq area. The second centre will be located in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi while a third centre will be located in Tawam Hospital in Al Ain. After the three centers become operational, the overall capacity of all three centers will be 204 stations, thus providing effective and efficient Dialysis services to patients. Opening the three centers is a continuation of SEHA's strategy to develop the needed infrastructure to provide high quality world-class healthcare services to the residents of Abu Dhabi.

H.E. Saif Bader Al Qubaisi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co. thanked the Executive Council for their continued support and commitment to SEHA's projects.  "SEHA's vision is aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, to provide healthcare service competitive with the best in the world for the citizens and residents in Abu Dhabi and the region," said Al Qubaisi.

Al Qubaisi confirmed that healthcare services in Abu Dhabi are followed closely by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Chairman of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi. He said His Highness has been always committed to ensuring that the provision of superior healthcare services is keeping pace with the development plans and comprehensive growth of Abu Dhabi.

"The data shows that the growth in the number of new patients demonstrates a real need for such specialized centers.  Our decision was based on data that indicates that we currently treat 506 patients suffering some level of renal failure and receiving treatment on a regular basis in dialysis units within SEHA facilities in Abu Dhabi," said Al Qubaisi. "Statistical data shows a 13% per year increase in the number of patients with renal failure rate between 2007 and 2009."

Al Mafraq Dialysis Centre, which is the first specialized Centre in dialysis, will be built on a total area of 7407 square meters and will include 68 kidney dialysis units, including two suites dedicated to VIPs, two isolated units for infectious diseases, and four units for children.

Mr. Carl Stanifer, CEO of Abu Dhabi Health Services Co. said: "SEHA currently operates 96 dialysis units distributed among the various health facilities in Abu Dhabi.  The addition of Al Mafraq Dialysis Centre will increase the number of units by more than 70%, while all three centers will in total contribute to an increase in the total number of units available by more than 200%."

The Chief of Facilities and Construction Division in SEHA, Mr. Saif Al Hameli, said: "The dialysis centre is designed in a modern manner to ensure an easy access to a 105-car parking area, and to utilize the latest technology and specialized equipments in the field of dialysis. Al Mafraq Centre was designed according to the highest global health standards with regards to the medical planning of the building, the interior spaces and the movement of patients."

"The construction in Al Mafraq Centre is scheduled to begin in October 2010 and is expected to be completed in a record time of 11 months with the project set for delivery in September 2011," added Al Hameli.

SEHA recently announced the signing of an exclusive contract with Freisenius Medical Care, the largest global provider of dialysis equipment and services. The company will manage SEHA's Dialysis centers and will provide the finest medical services for patients suffering from kidney failure.

-Ends-

About Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA)
SEHA is health in Arabic.  The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company - whose corporate identity is SEHA - is an independent, public joint stock company created to manage and develop the curative activities of the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  SEHA is committed to maintaining a leadership role in consistently providing superior, accessible, affordable and comprehensive healthcare services for our community and region in a socially responsible and cost effective manner that is on par with world-class standards.  SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, 62 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centres, and 2 blood banks. SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 16,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ.  SEHA is in partnerships with a number of internationally recognized healthcare managers, all of which are capable of providing world class health care choices to residents in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.  Among these international institutions are Johns Hopkins Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Bumrungrad International, VAMED and Vienna Medical University.

For further information, please visit us on the web at www.seha.ae

For more information, please contact:
James S. Ferrier
Corporate Marketing Manager
Jferrier@seha.ae 

Salama Al Mazrouei
Sr. Corporate Marketing Specialist
smazrouei@seha.ae 

© Press Release 2010