Centre aims to become referral centre in the middle-east for minimally invasive gynecological surgery (MIGS)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - H.E. Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and General Security launched yesterday the Dubai International Centre for Endoscopy during UAE Innovation Week.
He was accompanied by H.E. Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority and several high-level officials.
The Centre will be located in Latifa Hospital, the largest maternity and pediatric hospital in Dubai, which is run by Dubai Health Authority.
The announcement was made at the Dubai Health Authority's Health Innovation Village which is taking place at Kite Beach as part of the UAE Innovation Week celebrations.
Al Qatami, said: "Advancement in medical procedures such minimally invasive surgeries is the way forward to improve patient outcomes. The establishment of this centre of excellence is in line with our vision to provide highly specialized care keeping in mind latest advances in medicine and best international practices."
Dr Muna Tahlak, CEO of Latifa Hospital, said: "Minimally invasive surgeries have several benefits for patients and is the most advanced method in gynecological surgeries. Already at Latifa Hospital, we have a comprehensive minimally invasive surgery program and presently almost 80 to 90 per cent of all gynecological surgeries at Latifa Hospital are done through minimally invasive methods which ensure fewer complications and faster recovery for patients. Our aim through the introduction of the Dubai International Centre for Endoscopy is to become a regional centre of excellence in minimally invasive surgeries and ensure that almost 95 per cent of our surgeries are minimally invasive."
Tahlak said that Latifa Hospital has recently appointed Prof Arnaud Wattiez as the head of the gynaecology surgery department and that his appointment will provide a further boost to the DICE initiative.
Professor Wattiezis the former president of the European Society of Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE). He is also the chairman of the European Academy of Gynecological Surgery (EAGS) and honorary President of the Middle East Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (MESGE). He also acts as head of the surgical gynaecology department at Strasbourg University, France and is director of advanced courses in gynaecological endoscopy at Institute for Research on Cancer of the Digestive Tract (IRCAD) institute in Strasbourg-France.
Dr Muna Tahlak, consultant gynecologist and CEO of Latifa Hospital, said: "Prof Arnaud Wattiez has been a mentor and instructor to surgeons in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) all over the world. His work is at the forefront of technical advances in endoscopic gynecological surgery. MIGS is an area of expertise at the hospital which we want to further strengthen. With Dr Wattiez's appointment, our aim at the hospital will be to ensure Latifa Hospital becomes a referral centre for MIGS in the region."
Prof Wattiez said the aim of the DICE initiative is to provide MIGS not only for simple procedures such as cyst removal, diagnostic laparoscopy, ectopic pregnancies, etc. but also for more complex cases which actually require MIGS for faster recovery and better patient outcomes.
Prof Wattiez said: "Our aim is to ensure almost 95 per cent of our surgeries are minimally invasive and that we cater to the more complex cases, as well as promote training for gynecology surgeons from the UAE and abroad. We will also continue to accept referral cases."
Prof Wattiez highlighted that last week the hospital performed an endoscopic procedure for a patient suffering from ovarian cancer. "The patient had ovarian cancer which had spread to other parts of her body. We conducted a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, removed the malignant tumors from other parts of her body including her liver. The complete surgery was done non-invasively which allowed the patient to recover within three days and she could start her chemotherapy straightaway.
Delay between operation and chemotherapy is not recommended and therefore in such cases laparoscopic surgeries often lead to improved patient outcomes."
Ghassan Lotfi, consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at Latifa Hospital and director of the MIGS Program at Latifa Hospital said that in 2011, the hospital conducted 82 MIGSprocedures, in 2013 the number increased to 246 and in 2014 the hospital conducted 336 procedures. "The hospital's focus on MIGS, coupled with a higher number of referrals from the UAE and abroad have resulted in an increase in the number of such surgeries. With the launch of the DICE centre we anticipate a further increase in the number of such procedures."
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About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.
The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.
The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
© Press Release 2015
