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Sunaina Rana / Emirates Business
At Arab Health Exhibition & Congress, the region’s largest healthcare trade show, the UK-based Kings College Hospital participated in a high-level discussion with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the UK Minister of State for Health and its Dubai and UK investors including Ashmore Group, Al Tayer and Dubai Investments.
At the event, King’s College Hospital, Dubai, announced the opening of its multi-specialty hospital in 2018 at the heart of the premium community ‘Dubai Hills’, and also its several day-care clinics, set to open in 2017. Leveraging KCH London’s world-leading position in these therapeutic areas , Emirates Business talks to Simon Taylor, Managing Director, King’s College Hospital International Operations,
about the latest venture.
Excerpts from the conversation
UAE heath sector has shown a significant growth over the past few years and, it is estimated to grow 7 percent per year 2020, please share your opinion on the same?
Aging population, chronic disease prevalence, and population growth as well as growing medical tourism, which are specific to the UAE, are long term social patterns calling for a national healthcare system that actively expands and innovates. We are already witnessing rise in the number of private and national healthcare facilities opening across the UAE. As part of our legacy and strong connection with the UAE, we believe we can make a significant contribution to the future of UAE’s healthcare industry and the wellbeing of the population.
What are the new ventures in the region?
We are proud to provide our trusted patient care in the UAE.Thanks to a joint venture with Al Tayer Group, Dubai Investments and UK-based Ashmore Group. In addition to our Abu Dhabi clinic, which has been operating for just over a year, we will be launching an additional three clinics in Dubai in 2017 and a hospital located in Emirates Hills in Dubai in 2018.
What kind of investment are you further planning ?
With around US$200 million, will bring the multi-disciplinary hospital and day care clinics to Dubai. The hospital in Dubai will support future changes in terms of clinical models of care and will have the ability to expand and increase bed capacity according to demand.
What made you choose Dubai Hills for your project?
After a detailed location analysis, we established that Dubai Hills was the best option based on the future demographic and health characteristics of the area, as well as easy road access from Al Khail Road and Al Marabea Road. We wanted a location that will grant easy access to our potential patients as well as serving the developing nature of Dubai.
Construction for the hospital is planned to start in Q3 this year on a 15,000 metre square plot in the Dubai Hills Estate. It will be at the heart of what will be premium neighborhoods, consisting of communities mostly catering to families. For us, it was essential to find a location, which would require a medical centre of expertise and provide services tailored to the needs of that population.
What are the specialities you would be offering?
King’s College Hospital is bringing to Dubai a 100-bed multi-specialty hospital, and several day-care clinics, built around four main specialties; Obstetrics &Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics and Endocrinology, which will leverage King’s College Hospital London’s world-leading position in these therapeutic areas.
The hospital will have extensive tertiary capabilities in addition to delivering first class general care as a full-service hospital.
Can you please elaborate on the clinics that have been lined up for 2017?
We will be opening three clinics in 2017, in prime locations across Dubai. They will have a specific focus on outpatients and will be fully integrated with King’s College Hospital London and Dubai, across all clinical spectrums. A significant proportion of our clinical staff, including all heads of departments and over 30 percent of physicians, will be coming from the UK, and will include some of the leading specialists from London.
Additionally, all clinical policies,
procedures and practices in our facilities will be established by Kings College Hospital, London, and will reflect over 170 years of experience in delivering high quality care to the residents of London.
What are the major health problems witnessed in GCC?
The region is facing health problems that are strongly linked to lifestyle habits. In fact, the most prevalent lifestyle diseases affecting the GCC’s population are cardiovascular disease, diabetes, with five out of six GCC countries featured in the top 10 countries in the world for diabetes, and stroke. It is also estimated by McKinsey & Company that by 2025 the GCC will have an increased demand for treatment and care not only for these diseases, but also for musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, sense organ diseases, maternal and perinatal conditions, amongst others4.
What is the vision and aim behind this project?
Expanding into the UAE is a natural continuation of links between the UK and the Emirates; it is the drive to write the next chapter in King’s College Hospital’s 170-year legacy. Ties between the hospital and the UAE originate from 1979, when a donation from His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former President of the UAE, helped establish King’s liver research centre. The Centre is now amongst the top three liver specialist centres in the world. It is also important to note that over the years, thousands of patients from the UAE have received treatment at KCH London. And so our decision to bring world-class quality to the UAE will minimise the necessity for outbound medical travel for Emirati patients. UAE patients will also benefit from virtual consultations for second opinions, as well as from visiting physicians’ and surgeons.
Furthermore, as the UAE is committed to maintaining and developing clinical excellence for its residents, as well as increasingly becoming a destination for medical tourists, it is a perfect opportunity to expand British healthcare in the region and help further best practice.
What would be the main highlight of the Hospital and clinics?
A minimum of 30 percent of all clinicians will come from King’s College Hospital London and hospitals in the UK. We will be hiring the remaining clinical staff from the region all of whom will meet the standards of King’s College Hospital London. What sets apart our workforce is that they will be in daily contact with London, for second opinions, or for training via our comprehensive support system. We will be in fact offering KCH London’s extensive CME programme to broader practitioners via virtually transmitted training courses, as well as a GMC accreditation, and potential involvement in research programmes.
Can you elucidate on the state-of-art technology?
Technology is becoming increasingly important in both the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. King’s College Hospital in London partners with the leading, global equipment brands to develop, refine and test the latest enhancements in these technologies.
We will ensure that KCHDubai is similarly equipped with the newest kit to assist clinicians in doing their job, particularly with regard to radiological diagnostics and surgical interventions.
