Multidisciplinary team specializes in head and neck cancer, laboratory medicine and quality improvement initiatives

Aims at bringing different services to patient in one place

KUWAIT,  March 18 2012 - Dr. Ahmed Al Awadhi, KCCC Medical Director announced that multidisciplinary  medical team of cancer specialists from the University Health Network, Canada's leader in patient care and research, will be visiting Kuwait for 12 days starting March 18. .

"The visiting team of 28 consultants specializing in head and neck cancer care treatment, quality improvement, and laboratory medicine will include top medical and surgical oncologists, radiation specialists, oncology nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, " said Adil Khalfan, the regional director of the UHN International Program in Kuwait. The site visit's objectives include sharing expertise, providing technical advice around policies and procedures, providing input for the KCCC strategic plan, implementing systems for the initiation of joint research and education ventures, and performing clinical activities.

The visit to the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre is part of Kuwait's efforts to enhance cancer care in the country and become a regional leader in this field. In 2010, the University Health Network signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health to provide it with clinical expertise with a focus on radiation medicine, chemotherapy, surgical oncology, and laboratory medicine.

"The idea behind bringing a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals is to improve patient care by putting the patient in the center," explained Khalfan.  "This will help us align KCCC's resources so that they are organized around the patient rather than the patient trying to find his or her way around departments and clinics in the hospital."

UHN is a network of four hospitals: Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and Princess Margaret Hospital.  UHN is also a research and teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto, which results in the largest hospital-based research program in Canada with major research in cancer and other areas including cardiology, surgical innovation and infectious diseases.

During this visit The medical consultants team will discuss the mechanism of applying the criteria for recognizing the existence of health care status of Kuwait Cancer Control Center within the joint program to apply the recognition program in accordance with the standards issued by the Authority of Canada to recognize the quality of health care, and how it will achieve the paradigm shift in the quality of health care within this continued cooperation and coordination between the two sides.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Faisal Khazal
Weber Shandwick | MENA
Tel: +965.90960154
Email: Faisal.khazal@ws-mena.com   

About the University Health Network-Kuwait
The University Health Network (UHN) signed an agreement with the Ministry Of Health in the State of Kuwait in September 8, 2010, to provide clinical expertise to Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC) and strengthen cancer service delivery at the KCCC by focusing on areas such as radiation medicine, medical oncology, surgical oncology and laboratory medicine. The University Health Network is a teaching and academic health science center and one of the largest medical research centers in Canada.

Through this collaboration, the UHN offers the citizens of Kuwait access to the best internationally-certified cancer services, while ensuring continuous improvement of cancer research both in Kuwait and Canada.  UHN also focuses on improving nursing and physician education, health administration and information technology. The UHN continues to expand its experience internationally while developing systems and innovative approaches that would benefit both UHN and the State of Kuwait.

About University Health Network
University Health Network encompasses Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cancer, cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, rehabilitation sciences, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, and genomic medicine. University Health Network is a research and teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. 

© Press Release 2012