Advanced oncology expertise offering built in association with one of Europe's leading cancer centres

Dubai, January 27, 2014: Two facts: Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the UAE, after cardiovascular disease and accidents. Limited oncology services are reasons behind Dubai residents travelling abroad for treatment.

Mediclinic City Hospital expansion will have an advanced oncology unit at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The project, which is due for completion by Q3 of 2015, will complement measures to increase capacity in cancer care and provide the latest diagnostic technology.

On the sidelines of the 2014 edition of Arab Health, Dubai Healthcare City, a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, and its business partner Mediclinic City Hospital, unveiled details of the expansion.

The expansion plans were shared in the presence of Dubai Healthcare City management Marwan Abedin, Chief Executive Officer, and Dr Wajdi Al Daghma, Managing Director - Strategy & Business Development; Mediclinic Middle East representatives David Hadley, Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Tarek Fathey, Hospital Director; and representatives from technology partners Rolf Staehelin, Senior Director International Marketing EMEA & APAC, Varian Medical Systems International AG, and Maher Abouzeid, President & CEO, GE Healthcare, ME & Pakistan, among other senior representatives.

Mediclinic City Hospital was the first multi-speciality hospital to open in DHCC. Its expansion was announced at last year's Arab Health.

The North Wing of Mediclinic City Hospital will offer among, other specialties, oncology services like diagnostic, medical and radiotherapy modalities. It will house 43 outpatient consultation suites, 17 day care rooms, 12 dialysis suites, 11 dedicated oncology beds, two theatres and a rehabilitation centre with two fully-equipped gymnasiums. The North Wing will also include an expanded reference laboratory which will service not only the Mediclinic Middle East group but also the entire UAE healthcare community.

The North Wing will offer therapeutic modalities for all types of cancer and will support already existing units such as Mediclinic City Hospital's Breast Care Unit, which employs a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer.

The new oncology unit will be built in association with Mediclinic Group's sister company in Switzerland, Hirslanden Private Hospital Group, known as one of Europe's leading cancer centers.

Commenting on the progress of Mediclinic City Hospital expansion, Abedin said, "DHCC's vision is to be an integrated centre of excellence for clinical and wellness services. In this, Mediclinic City Hospital's expansion is a shared goal - to address capacity gaps and provide integrated services. As DHCC, we forge key partnerships to bring together a wealth of services under one roof."

David Hadley, CEO, Mediclinic Middle East commented: "The North Wing extension of Mediclinic City Hospital in DHCC continues apace. Thanks to agreements now in place with our technology partners Varian Medical Systems International AG and GE Healthcare, I am very excited by the even wider levels of service that will be available to our patients once the facility opens its doors in 2015."

Dr Tarek Fathey, Director of Mediclinic City Hospital said: "DHCC has been very supportive of our plans and has been working closely with us to ensure that operations start smoothly once the construction starts."

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About Dubai Healthcare City
Launched in 2002 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is a free zone mandated to meet the demand for high-quality, patient-centred healthcare.

Through strategic partnerships, DHCC brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, wellness and allied support.

Located in the heart of Dubai, DHCC comprises two phases. Phase 1, dedicated to healthcare and medical education, covers 4.1 million square feet, and Phase 2, which is dedicated to wellness, will cover 19 million square feet. Development in Phase 2 is underway.

DHCC, overseen by the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), operates through four divisions:

Healthcare: The DHCC is home to two hospitals, more than 120 outpatient medical centres and diagnostic laboratories with more than 4,000 licensed professionals. Through the expertise of leading medical institutions and providers, patients have access to the A-Z of quality healthcare.

Education and Research: Through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre (MBR-AMC), DHCC aims to establish an integrated academic and clinical environment to build capacity and advance medical education in the region.

Investment: DHCC offers medical and healthcare providers with a 'one-stop shop' solution to set up operations and avail of free zone benefits. The investment product portfolio has clinical, commercial, retail, business centre and free-hold land.

Regulatory: Under DHCA, the Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ) is an independent regulatory body responsible for licensing healthcare providers and professionals, and setting and maintaining international best practice in healthcare delivery and patient care within DHCC.

For further information, please visit: www.dhcc.ae 

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© Press Release 2014