DHCA MESSAGE | 3
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is continuously working towards developing an enabling ecosystem for its business partners to grow their operations and enhance their specialised healthcare offerings by attracting local and international unique expertise. At DHCC, we are dedicated to providing high-quality specialised healthcare services and further strengthen our ecosystem to cater to the evolving demands of the UAE’s health sector.
We have recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Asan - UAE Gastroenterology Hospital at DHCC Phase 2, the first international venture of the largest hospital in South Korea, Asan Medical Center (AMC). The new hospital developed by AMC in partnership with Scope Investment, is set to be Dubai’s first integrated hospital specialising in gastroenterology.
By focusing on specialised healthcare services and expertise, DHCC aims to be at the forefront of medical innovation playing a key role in advancing the UAE healthcare landscape. Through strategic initiatives and collaborations, DHCC aims to drive forward advanced medical practices, ensuring that it continues to lead in healthcare innovation.
We are grateful to our partners who have contributed to our success and grown with us, and we welcome new partners to embark on their journey with us.
In July 2024, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Phase 2 witnessed the groundbreaking of Asan – UAE Gastroenterology Hospital, developed by Asan Medical Center (AMC) in partnership with Scope Investment, a UAE-based investment group. The event was attended by senior officials from Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Healthcare City (DHCA), Scope Investment, and AMC.
The hospital, the first international venture for AMC, the largest hospital in South Korea, will provide advanced healthcare services and education in gastroenterology and is set to be Dubai’s First Integrated Hospital Specialising in Gastroenterology.
"Asan – UAE Gastroenterology Hospital represents an important milestone in the ongoing development of DHCC Phase 2, underscoring our drive to enable specialised healthcare by attracting globally renowned institutions and expertise to continue building our ecosystem that caters to the evolving demands of the UAE’s health sector,” said Mr. Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Healthcare City Authority.
With an area of 21,150 square metres, the hospital will encompass two basement levels and seven floors, offering 65 beds, including royal and VIP rooms, four operating theatres, and comprehensive gastroenterology care for adults and children. Specialties will include endoscopy, bariatrics, treatment for gastrointestinal oncology, management of liver transplantation and gastrointestinal health check-up. Additional support facilities will include rehabilitation services for related diseases, outpatient clinics, ICU and one-day care unit.
Set to be completed by 2026, Asan - UAE Gastroenterology Hospital will enhance the range of services within the DHCC ecosystem and strengthen its role as the enabling healthcare and wellness destination.
in-focus | 5
With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) community celebrated Autism Awareness Month to raise awareness through a series of initiatives and provide specialised support to its community. Several DHCC partners including The Speech Clinic (TSC), Able UK and the Doris-Duan Young Autism Centre (DDY) who play a role in enhancing the wellbeing of children with autism, enabling them to thrive in society, also took part of raising awareness for the dedicated month.
In a show of solidarity with people with autism, DHCC lit its logo in blue throughout the month of April. During Autism Awareness Month, ABLE UK organised an art exhibition featuring the work of Kabir Balchandani, a 12 year-old talented individual with autism who has undergone therapy at the centre, along with two staff members who are artists.
The proceeds from the artwork sales were doubled by ABLE UK and donated to children in Gaza. The centre also conducted several workshops on autism management for parents and teachers, and held a session for autistic children in Mumbai Hall, Sharjah, promoting effective therapies. On Autism Day, April 2nd, ABLE UK released 100 blue balloons to raise awareness for autism.
Additionally, DDY celebrated Autism Awareness Month by arranging visits from mascots from popular cartoon characters, bringing joy to the children and raising awareness about autism. DDY also collaborated with several brands to distribute presents to the parents of children with autism in recognition of their efforts. As for TSC, the centre offered complimentary autism screenings and consultations, coupled with comprehensive parent training sessions.
In efforts to support individuals with autism and their families, DHCC and its partners offer a comprehensive range of medical and therapeutic services. The Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), DHCC’s governing body, enables its business partners to offer services that cater to the diverse needs of these individuals, through providing a supportive framework, empowering partners to deliver various medical and therapeutic services.
6 | in-focus
Recognising the diverse symptoms and presentations, there is no unified methodology to diagnose and manage autism. DHCC business partners adopt tailored intervention plans for each child, combining multiple methodologies and techniques. These holistic approaches include functional interventions; specialised sensory integration therapy to help children with autism to regulate their sensory response to their surroundings; and speech, language, and nutrition therapy using advanced programmes and innovative techniques to improve children’s speaking, language and nutrition skills, and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), a method of intervention highly effective in managing behaviours and helping people with autism acquire new skills.
Psychological evaluations are also available, which play a key role in diagnosis and accurately assessing cases to develop effective intervention plans, as well as physiotherapy, which tackles the motor challenges and body posture issues people with autism go through.
Aman Sura, Chief Executive Officer at ABLE UK, said: “At ABLE UK, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of developing therapy programs that are rooted in evidence and proven effectiveness in managing Autism. Our commitment to research-based approaches ensures that our interventions yield meaningful results for individuals on the autism spectrum disorder.”
DHCC’s business partners continuously strive to uphold the highest standards of therapeutic care. Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) programmes, such as Applied Behaviour Analysis, remain pivotal in enhancing communication abilities, social skills and adaptive behaviours in children with autism.
Sana Shareef, Consultant Speech Language & Feeding Therapist, Founder & CEO of The Speech Clinic Dubai, said “The results of our hardworking therapists are truly heartening - we've seen children who once struggled to leave their parents' side happily settle into school and make friends. It's a testament to the power of patience, empathy, and evidence-based intervention in helping children thrive.”
Moreover, modern technology plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with autism, including computer-assisted learning, virtual reality programmes and mobile phone applications, supplements therapeutic interventions, targeting specific skills such as social communication. Sensory treatments and integration therapy are beneficial for individuals with autism to regulate sensory input, thereby enhancing overall performance and reducing sensory challenges. Complementary and alternative therapies, such as nutritional systems and supplements, acupuncture and mindfulness-based practices, complement conventional interventions, enriching the therapeutic landscape.
As for 3 year old, Scarlet , she initially struggled with communication at the beginning of her ABA therapy. She couldn't use words and relied on hand-leading to express her needs, sometimes resulting in tantrums.
In just four months, and with the support of the ABA team and family, Scarlet made remarkable progress. She began vocalising her requests and became more responsive. She learned to request, label pictures, follow commands and many more. Her improved communication skills mark a significant milestone on her path to a promising future. DHCC and partners will continue to make tremendous efforts to provide tailored approaches and leverage the latest advancements to enhance treatment options and promote the integration of individuals with autism into society, aimed at building an inclusive community where these individuals thrive and contribute meaningfully.
Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) partnered with Balsam Healthcare Development to offer Dubai Healthcare City’s (DHCC) partners exclusive marketing packages aimed at reducing operational costs and accelerating growth.
The partnership will enable DHCC’s facilities and healthcare professionals to benefit from media broadcast platforms, significantly increasing awareness of the services provided within DHCC and facilitating continuous learning development through training courses on the latest healthcare trends and best practices. This collaboration aligns with DHCA's commitment to empower its business partners and enhance their experience within the thriving DHCC ecosystem.
Dr. Bassam Darwish, Founder and CEO of Balsam Healthcare Development, said, “We are thrilled to partner with DHCA to offer innovative marketing services, various awareness initiatives, training courses and workshops for healthcare professionals. Our goal is to enhance medical education and promote a healthier community in the UAE.”
MBST Physio and Joints Therapy Centre, located at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), is the only fully equipped centre in the UAE with the latest and most advanced MBST (Molecular Biophysical Stimulation Therapy) devices, an innovative magnetic resonance therapy that works on a cellular level to heal tissues from within, offering a non-invasive alternative with no side effects, medication, or surgery required. This therapy has a 25-year track record in Germany and Europe, supported by extensive scientific research and case reports.
Farouk Ibrahim Nabina, CEO, MBST Physio and Joints Therapy Centre, highlighted the advantages of being part of a thriving ecosystem in Dubai Healthcare City and said: "Being in DHCC offers unparalleled advantages, including access to a world-class healthcare infrastructure, a strategically located hub for medical tourism, and a collaborative environment fostering innovation and excellence in medical services and education."
The newly established centre has already registered several remarkable success stories, including the story of Marwan Al Rahmani, a 29-year-old who underwent MBST therapy after a severe motorcycle accident. After just seven sessions of post-surgical and bone therapy that he underwent in seven days, he experienced significant improvement and returned to work pain-free.
As part of its ongoing efforts to be at the forefront of the advancements in healthcare, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) continuously welcomes delegations from all over the world. These visits stand as a platform for discussing future collaborations and exchanging knowledge on best practices and the latest developments in the industry.
In the past quarter, DHCC welcomed delegations from ThaiHealth Academy and College of Management Mahidol University in Thailand and the Embassy of Rwanda and McGill University - HEC EMBA in Canada.
By building professional relationships, fostering collaborations and strengthening networks, DHCC aims to improve the quality of healthcare within the free zone and contribute to the global healthcare advancements, ensuring the DHCC ecosystem remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence.
In June, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) organised an awareness session on the 1st Cycle of the MENA Medical Excellence Awards under the Dubai Quality Group (DQG). During the session, Samira Shaloh, the Managing Director of the Group, presented the award’s objectives, models, categories and submission process to the DHCC community.
The session highlighted the significance of participating in the award submission to promote a culture of quality, excellence and innovation within the healthcare sector.
DQG organises various training programmes, conferences and awards throughout the year with the objective of improving Quality of Service & Business Excellence in the region. Through its associations with international bodies, the group brings international knowledge and best practices to the local business community.
Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, the first international branch of the prestigious 200-year-old Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, has successfully expanded its capacity by 20%.
The newly extended space features 40 consultation rooms for adults and children, allowing the hospital to offer a complete range of eye care consultations conducted by teams of dedicated subspecialists. The expansion also includes an enlarged in-house pharmacy and state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring the highest quality of care for patients.
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) is committed to supporting and fostering growth among its business partners and providing advanced healthcare access to all communities in Dubai - the expansion of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai exemplifies this commitment.
Elhadi Hassan, Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said, “This significant development in our facilities represents our proactive approach in adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape in Dubai and the wider region.”
Keturah Resort, which combines luxury and wellness, is rapidly transforming into a world-class destination. Strategically located within Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2, the upcoming resort faces Dubai’s wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor, offering serenity and tranquillity for residents and visitors alike.
17 | DHCA LIFESTYLE
Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) welcomed the renowned bookstore chain, Magrudy’s, earlier this year, creating a haven for book lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike. With its knowledgeable staff and inviting ambiance, Magrudy's reignites the love for reading in the digital age.
The store offers a wide range of books spanning various genres, from the latest bestsellers to timeless classics. Beyond books, Magrudy’s caters to a diverse audience, offering toys, greeting cards and arts and crafts supplies, making it a destination for families, students, educators and schools.
The new DHCC store location promises to enrich the community by creating a vibrant hub for literary enthusiasts. Adding to the experience, the store houses Gerard Café, serving delightful fusion of contemporary favourites, freshly baked pastries, artisanal bread and gourmet coffee. It’s the perfect spot for customers to indulge in their literary adventures while enjoying culinary delights.
"Strategically locating our bookstore within DHCC allows us to support education and medical awareness, serving the needs of nearby academic institutions and surrounding hospitals, as well as meeting the needs of the university students," said Laith Shaker, CEO of Magrudy’s.
Medical Director and Founding doctor of Orchid IVF clinic in Dubai
As the Medical Director and Founding doctor of Orchid IVF Clinic in Dubai, Dr. Dimitrios Kafetzis’ journey is marked by dedication, excellence, and relentless advancement in reproductive medicine. He began his medical education at the Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, later advancing his skills at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital in the UK. He went on to earn his MSc in Prenatal Genetics and Fetal Medicine at University College London with Distinction.
At Orchid IVF Clinic, Dr Kafetzis has cultivated a centre of excellence, recognised with awards like the Excellence in Vitrification and Wonder Mums 2024. The clinic achieved a 71% pregnancy rate per frozen embryo transfer in 2023, using just one embryo in nine out of ten cases, underscoring its advanced techniques and expertise.
Dr. Kafetzis emphasises mild and natural IVF with minimal hormone use, providing bespoke care tailored to each couple’s needs. "We go to great lengths to obtain a fully detailed medical history from both partners and meticulously put a comprehensive therapeutic plan in place. We follow this with daily follow-ups to accommodate any necessary adjustments, ensuring a highly personalised treatment approach,” said Dr. Kafetzis.
Under Dr Kafetzis’ leadership, Orchid IVF Clinic redefines fertility care standards, ensuring compassionate and personalised care.
Prior to founding Orchid IVF Clinic, Dr. Kafetzis gained extensive experience at ARGC, London Women’s Clinic, and Newlife Fertility Clinic, where he assisted many couples facing recurrent pregnancy loss and IVF failures.
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