A leading UAE hospital has recruited a team of cancer specialists from the United States ahead of the launch of a new treatment centre dedicated to tackling a deadly disease on the rise across the region.
Dr Rakesh Suri, chief executive officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the four 'experts' in breast cancer care would arrive on site in July.
Staff numbers have been bolstered as the hospital prepares to open its new cancer treatment centre in 2021.
"We have hired from our main campus in Cleveland, Ohio, the world’s foremost experts in breast cancer, who will be leading our new oncology tower and will arrive here in July," said Dr Suri.
The World Health Organisation predicts that cancer rates in the Middle East will double by 2030, while the Department of Health Abu Dhabi has revealed that about 4,500 new cases of cancer are reported each year.
During a 'state of the clinic' review for 2018, Dr Suri said he anticipates a significant rise in patient numbers at the hospital.
Cleveland Clinic completed more than 508,000 outpatient visits in 2018, while more than 1,600 patients were transferred to Cleveland Clinic from other hospitals in the UAE and across the world.
The hospital treated patients from 93 countries.
“The facility can triple the number of patients it sees. It is a state of the art hospital, so let us maximise its usage over the years.
“We are increasing the numbers of lives we touch every day. We will always be pivoting to meet the needs of the community. We are here because of them and not them because of us.”
He said patients presenting late remained a concern, but was being dealt with on a "national level".
The hospital has been at the forefront of organ transplant surgery, with a comprehensive programme for
liver, heart and lung transplants set up last year.
Cleveland Clinic is working with health authorities to use blockchain technology to develop a database to match donors with those in need of transplants.
"That will allows us in real time to identify and manage donors and recipients through the country.”
Dr Suri believes preventative care remains paramount and is calling for residents to make sure they visit their GP at least once a year and adopt healthier lifestyles.
“Health is not complex. It starts with simple choices - healthy diet, lifestyle, mindfulness, daily activity and regular surveillance – this is the foundation of a healthcare system for the future and I am a believer that the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi will soon be a global leader in healthcare."
