Dubai, UAE, 26 May 2008 - Welcare Hospital, a member of the Welcare World Group, the leading provider of healthcare in the Middle East, will join with strategic partners, hospital staff and patients tomorrow, to celebrate Welcare Hospital's successful first ten years of delivering quality healthcare to patients across the region.

Over the past ten years, the total number of registered patients at the hospital exceeded 266,000 - both inpatient and outpatient, who benefited from a vast range of medical and surgical specialties from oncology to endocrinology to interventional cardiac care. In addition, the Welcare Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit has welcomed over 8000 new babies into the world.

Mr. Sunny Varkey, Founder and Chairman of the Welcare Group, will cut a symbolic ribbon to mark the beginning of the tenth anniversary celebrations.

Mr. Sunny Varkey said; "It is a great honor to join so many supporters and partners in celebrating this milestone - our tenth anniversary. For the past decade, the Welcare Hospital has played an important part in supporting the unprecedented growth of the United Arab Emirates. The hospital has provided all residents in the region with world class health care in a friendly and caring manner."

"Welcare Hospital, which was one of the first of its kind in the UAE, gives patients access to state-of-the-art equipment, the most specifically designed facilities, and an international medical team of the highest caliber, to ensure that the treatment they receive is second to none," he added.

Welcare Hospital, a 120-bed critical care provider, is one of the pioneers of the private healthcare sector in the United Arab Emirates and over the past ten years has set out to meet and exceed international standards in healthcare, by providing patients with the best in consultancy services and operational expertise. As such, the hospital has played a pivotal role in defining the region's standards for healthcare.

The hospital has also been committed to increasing health awareness throughout the region over the past ten years through spearheading and supporting a number of important causes that bring light to some of the most common problems affecting residents in the UAE. In its outreach work, Welcare Hospital has successfully taken private healthcare to a more evolved platform, and has carved its position as a strategic player in safeguarding the nation's health.

The continuing success of Welcare Hospital has additionally been charted by a number of local and international recognitions. Welcare Hospital was the first private hospital in Dubai to receive the prestigious Dubai Quality Appreciation award and the ISO 9001:2000 certification. The hospital is now working towards the Joint Commission International Accreditation - the most widely accepted hospital accreditation programme.

"We continue to remain committed to providing the best quality medical care and services to our patients. Through our access to on going research and developments in the health care sector we stay at the forefront of the region's medical sector, and look forward to another successful decade ahead," stated Varkey.

Welcare Hospital is a member of the joint-venture comprising the well known Dubai based Varkey Group, the technical partner Medi-Clinic Corporation of South Africa and GE Healthcare.  Medi-Clinic Corporation owns manages 51 hospitals in South Africa and 3 in Namibia. It also owns Hirslanden AG, the leading private hospital group in Switzerland, with 13 hospitals.

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About Welcare Hospital
Welcare Hospital, a part of Welcare World Health Systems is one of the UAE's leading private hospitals, offering international caliber, multi-specialty healthcare in a caring and friendly environment. The 120-bed facility in Dubai offers more than 14 specialized departments, including Cardiology, Oncology, Maternity, Urology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Gastroenterology and Pulmonology.

Combining Eastern hospitality with Western expertise, Welcare is committed to holistic patient care that ensures a concerned and caring bedside manner from all who interact with the patient and evidence-based medicine that means diagnosis and treatment is focused on each patient's individual symptoms, responses and needs.

About Welcare World
Welcare World Health Systems (WWHS), a member of Emirates Healthcare Limited, owned by the Dubai based Varkey Group, Medi-Clinic Corporation (South Africa) and GE Healthcare, is a leading healthcare provider in the UAE.  Medi-Clinic Corporation manages 51 hospitals in South Africa and 3 in Namibia. It also owns Hirslanden AG, the leading private hospital group in Switzerland, with 13 hospitals. The knowledge and expertise of these two companies will provide Welcare with an excellent platform for cross referrals, offering an unparalleled service in the healthcare industry.  

Welcare World Health Systems manages a number of facilities including the Welcare Hospital, Emirates Diagnostic Clinic, Welcare Ambulatory Care Centre, Welcare Eye Centre, Welcare Al Qusais Clinic, Welcare Diagnostic & Treatment Centre - Oman, and the clinic under construction in Uptown Mirdiff.

For further information, access the website: www.welcareworld.com

For further information contact:
MS&L
Angie Sharaf
Tel: +971 4 3676157
Fax: + 971 4 3672615
angie.sharaf@dubai.mslpr.com

© Press Release 2008