Exchange of expertise and modern technology mooted as part of collaboration

Abu Dhabi 6th April 2014: The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has signed a cooperation agreement with Canada's largest research hospital, University Health Network (UHN), with the attention of improving the level of medical services provided by SEHA's Health System facilities. This will be achieved by entering into international healthcare partnerships in order to share experiences and keep abreast with the latest healthcare technology, since UHN is internationally known for its medical quality and excellence.

The agreement was signed by Rashid Al-Qubaisi, Chief Executive officer at SEHA, Nizar Mahomed, Director General of UHN, A UHN delegation from Canada and representatives from the Canadian Embassy and a number of officials from SEHA also witnessed the signing of the agreement.

Under the five-year agreement, both parties will exchange expertise and modern technology, as well as engaging in joint research and training programmes, which will include training of SEHA's medical and nursing staff at UHN in Canada. In addition, SEHA and UHN will carry out joint projects to improve the quality of medical services offered.

The cooperation agreement essentially aims at exchanging visits between faculty members at Canadian medical institutions including scientists, doctors and specialists, along with the medical and nursing staff in SEHA. Furthermore, the agreement intends to benefit from UHN's experience and knowledge of scientific research and professional services in developing the healthcare services provided by SEHA and its facilities to its patients.

Rashid Al-Qubaisi conveyed SEHA's keenness to deliver world-class healthcare services to its patients and local communities within Abu Dhabi. With regard to this, he stated: "Due to the fact that UHN represents one of the largest teaching hospitals networks in Canada, and enjoys international reputation and fame, we look forward to gain from their global knowhow and expertise in the medical sector, and harness it to serve the people of Abu Dhabi."

Al-Qubaisi continued: "The agreement will enable the medical, nursing and management staff at all SEHA's facilities to exchange information, articles, reports and educational materials in order to support education and training programmes at SEHA, and develop shared academic projects between both parties. This includes collaborative research, teaching, technical cooperation, and evaluation of specific programmes."

He also asserted that the agreement will allow SEHA to develop and improve its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and quality metrics to improve it's services

According to Dr Nizar Mahomed, "the UHN will offer SEHA the essence of its expertise and experiences in the medical field, which will be aimed at raising the quality of healthcare provided to its clients in Abu Dhabi, especially the modern technologies owned by UHN."

He continued: "We at UHN are honoured to be able to sign this agreement with SEHA to develop collaborations in the areas of rehabilitation, visiting physicians and education. Our vision of achieving global impact and core values align very well with SEHA's mission. We believe that this partnership will be mutually beneficial and will facilitate sharing of knowledge and best practices between both organizations."

Mahomed added that one of UHN's most prominent offerings will be modern communications technology for the purpose of diagnosis, training and research. UHN is one of the world's most prestigious centres which utilises modern technologies.

-Ends-

For further information contact:
Maitha Buti Al Qubaisi
02-410-2327
mqubaisi@seha.ae

Husny M. Deyab
Next PR
Mobile: 050 - 3110122
EM: hd@nextpr.ae

About (SEHA):
SEHA is health in Arabic.  The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC- whose marketing identity is SEHA - is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which together make up the SEHA HealthSystem.  SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing our customers and communities served world class healthcare.  SEHA has partnered with internationally recognized hospital managers to achieve these goals.  These include Johns Hopkins Medicine International, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Fresenius Medical Care.  SEHA owns and operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, 62 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and 2 blood banks.  SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East with more than 17,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel in its employ.  Visit our website at www.seha.ae.

About the University Health Network (UHN):
University Health Network encompasses Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 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. As Canada's largest research and teaching hospital, UHN has an annual budget of $2 billion. It has 1,300 beds and performs over 40,000 surgical procedures annually. UHN spends over $300 million per year in research and has major research programs in cancer, cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, arthritis, 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 2014