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Bahrain MOH signs Agreement with SAH Global to bring Bahraini Cancer Patients to Receive Cutting Edge Proton Therapy Treatment

Manama, Bahrain - February 4, 2012 - The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain and SAH Global have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to make cutting edge proton therapy cancer treatment available to Bahraini cancer patients. SAH Global is currently in the process of constructing a network of proton therapy centers in the Middle East. The Ministry of Health will refer patients to SAH Care - the international medical services subsidiary of SAH Global, which currently coordinates and arranges treatment in its global network of proton therapy centers.

Proton therapy is one of the most advanced forms of cancer treatment available today. It provides a higher quality of life and has fewer side effects than conventional radiation therapy and is highly effective in treating tumors, especially in the prostate, breast, lung, spinal cord, brain, eye, head and neck and at the base of the skull.

Dr. Aysha Buaneq, the Undersecretary to the Ministry of Health, who signed the MOU on behalf of the Ministry of Health said: "The Ministry of Health will select cancer patients eligible for proton therapy and will take the necessary steps to acquaint oncologists in the Kingdom with this advanced form of cancer treatment, including holding training workshops for doctors." The MOU provides that SAH Global will organize such workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

Dr. Fatima Al-Beloushi, Minister of Human Rights and Social Development and Acting Minister of Health said: "the signing of this MOU is an invaluable step forward and I hope that this service will be a positive contribution to the lives of cancer sufferers."

Dr. Ameen Al-Saati, Assistant Undersecretary for Hospitals reiterated that the "Ministry is committed to coordinating with all stakeholders to ensure that Bahraini patients who are eligible for proton therapy are treated expeditiously."

SAH Global's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Feroz Agad said, "We commend Dr. Fatima AlBeloushi and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain for their visionary leadership and commitment to provide Bahraini citizens with the most advanced form of cancer treatment available today. We look forward to providing our services and excellence in care to the citizens of Bahrain and are excited by the prospect of building one of our planned satellite proton therapy centers in Bahrain in the near future so that patients will not have to travel abroad."

SAH Global is pioneering proton therapy treatment in the MENA region. It was the first company in the Middle East to be awarded a license to own and operate a proton therapy center in the State of Qatar and is in discussions with governments and potential local partners to build a network of proton therapy centres in the MENA region and beyond. The proton therapy centers will focus on treatment, research, development and training. SAH Care arranges and coordinates end-to-end treatment at preferential rates through its network of partner proton therapy centres around the world. SAH care is able to deliver significant cost savings and can reduce waiting times (which can otherwise exceed three months in many cases) to only a few weeks for patients throughout the Gulf region and beyond. It is expected that SAH Care's quality of service will be further enhanced upon completion of SAH Global's proton therapy center in Doha.

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About Proton Therapy

Proton Therapy was pioneered in the United States 30 years ago and to date has been used for treatment on over 80,000 patients. The treatment is known to be non-invasive and painless and causes minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue, reducing the risk of secondary cancer and making it a preferable option for children who may be particularly susceptible to the development of secondary cancers. The result is a higher quality of life and higher success rate than is currently offered by traditional radiation therapy. Further information for patients seeking treatment or about proton therapy can be found at SAH Global's website: www.sahglobal.com.

Cancer in the GCC and Middle East region

The population in the Middle East region is growing at an estimated 15% per year, and the total population in the region is expected to reach 520 million by the year 2030. It is estimated that 65% of the population of the Middle East is under the age of 30.[1] Additionally, in recent years the increasing expatriate population has sparked great demand for more advanced health care in the region. It is estimated that there are 250,000 cancer cases reported annually in the Middle East region. It is further estimated that cancer kills 145,000 people annually in the Middle East - an almost 60% mortality ratio.[2]

About SAH Global

SAH Global's vision is committed to the introduction of Proton Therapy as one of the primary solutions for cancer treatment in the Middle East and around the World. SAH Global believes in building a strong sustainable society, and as such, will leverage the success of its global ventures to make long-term contributions to the community, promote the growth of their employees, and help create a greener environment.

SAH Care, a subsidiary of SAH Global, was formed to fill a niche-underserved market. SAH Care is committed to providing Proton Therapy treatment through its innovative medical tourism approach. By establishing a network of Proton Therapy providers around the world, SAH Care is able to provide Proton Therapy treatment to patients from anywhere in the world.

For more information about SAH Global, SAH Care, and Proton Therapy please contact:
Faique.Sayeed@SAHGlobal.com
+1-(678)-224-7405 (Direct)
+1-(404)-506-9411 (Fax)

© Press Release 2012