PHILADELPHIA/ABU DHABI – (December 10, 2015) – Universal Hospital, one of Abu Dhabi’s leading health care providers, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center—Temple Health to discuss establishing a world-class cancer center in the United Arab Emirates.
The proposed plan would initially establish a bone marrow transplant (BMT) program followed by the first comprehensive cancer center in the private sector in the United Arab Emirates. The program will provide medical services both locally and throughout the region.
“Under the leadership of Henry Fung, Fox Chase Cancer Center has built one of the largest BMT programs in the region,” said Richard Fisher, MD, president and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center. “The opportunity to expand into the Middle East and provide first rate medical care for this emerging part of the world is unprecedented.”
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In the United Arab Emirates, cancer is the third leading cause of death, but its rates are increasing rapidly. Ten percent of all deaths in the United Arab Emirates were attributed to cancer in 2010 and that incidence is expected to double by 2020.
“Historically, the United Arab Emirates has had a much lower incidence of cancer than Western countries, however, over the last 40 years the dramatic economic, social and demographic changes here have resulted in increased cancer incidences,” said Ahmed Al-Kalla, MD, director of global operations at Universal Hospital. “Currently, bone marrow transplant and advanced cancer treatments are not available in the region, and we hope the partnership with Fox Chase Cancer Center will help to fill that gap.”
Leaders of both organizations plan to meet in Abu Dhabi in early 2016 to begin discussions of a detailed plan that would include items like early detection programs, radiation oncology, clinical trial operations and oncology nursing support. In addition to cutting edge clinical care, the eventual cancer center could also establish exchange programs, research opportunities and customized physician training programs linking the new Cancer Center with Fox Chase Cancer Center—Temple Health.
About Universal Health
Universal Hospital is a private multi-specialty health care facility which started in Abu Dhabi in 2013. The Hospital is ISO 9001 : 2008, ISO 14001 : 2004, OHSAS 18001 : 2007 certified, Daman VIP-accredited (2015), and Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Center approved Occupational Safety and Health Management System (2015). It is equipped with a Pharmacy, 24-hours Emergency and ambulance services, a fully equipped Laboratory and Radiology Department with 128-slice CT scan, 1.5 Tesla MRI, Dual Plane Cath Lab, Digital Fluoroscopy, Digital Mammography with Stereotactic Biopsy, Dialysis Unit, and advanced delivery suites among other services. Universal Hospital also operates Clinics across Dubai (Gulf Medical Center in Deira), Sharjah (Life Line Medical Center), and Baniyas (Universal Hospital Clinics - Baniyas).