Sheikh Nahyan Inaugurates Burjeel Cancer Institute, Affirming UAE’s Healthcare Dedication

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the Burjeel Cancer Institute (BCI) in Mohammed bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. This institute, launched by Burjeel Holdings, aims to provide advanced cancer treatments within the UAE and beyond. Located in Burjeel Medical City, BCI consolidates one of the largest cancer care networks in the UAE.

Following the inauguration, Sheikh Nahyan stated, "The UAE, under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is committed to providing the best healthcare and medical services to all. Caring for cancer patients in the UAE is a top priority. We understand that the foundation of a prosperous society lies in the health and well-being of its people. We are committed to advancing medical knowledge and ensuring the highest standards of healthcare. Cancer care is one of the areas where we focus on early diagnosis and implementing the most effective treatments."

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BCI offers state-of-the-art facilities across four floors, including private chemotherapy suites and specialty clinics. The institute integrates chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgical oncology, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). These services aim to provide a seamless experience for patients undergoing treatment.

The institute also features a dedicated breast cancer unit and patient-centric facilities. Advanced treatments such as targeted therapy, precision medicine, advanced surgical techniques, and AI-driven cancer diagnosis are available at BCI.

Sheikh Nahyan emphasised the importance of addressing delays in translating clinical discoveries into available treatments. He noted that access to these technologies would boost public confidence in obtaining advanced diagnostic and treatment services.

He also highlighted the need for cooperation among multiple stakeholders to tackle global challenges like cancer. "The facilities hosted by the UAE, such as BCI, reflect our dedication to providing comprehensive and innovative care for cancer patients," he said.

Collaborations and Research

BCI is equipped to conduct high-quality clinical trials and translational research. Collaborations with international cancer research institutions and pharmaceutical companies are expected to pave the way for patients to access the latest innovations in cancer care.

The institute incorporates advanced diagnostic capabilities through OncoHelix-CoLab to perform specialised tests locally. Technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Droplet Digital PCR, and Multi-color Flow Cytometry enhance diagnostic precision and efficiency.

Leadership and Vision

The launch ceremony was attended by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings; John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings; Omran Al Khoori, Executive Board Member of Burjeel Holdings; Safeer Ahamed, Group COO of Burjeel Holdings; Aysha Al Mahri, Deputy CEO of Burjeel Medical City; a delegation from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH); medical staff; cancer survivors; and their families.

The institute is headed by accomplished Emirati oncologist Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi. Prof. Al Shamsi remarked that BCI aims to offer comprehensive and holistic cancer care by integrating advanced diagnostic tools with cutting-edge treatments under one roof.

Impact on Patient Outcomes

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil commented on BCI’s significance: "The launch of BCI marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide world-class cancer care within the UAE. We are committed to ensuring that patients receive the best possible care, supported by advanced technology and research."

BCI’s network includes facilities in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Sharjah, and Dubai. Annually, this network caters to over 5,000 oncology patients while performing more than 10,000 screenings and radiotherapy sessions with over 50 specialists involved.

The integration of these advanced technologies is expected to improve patient outcomes significantly by enhancing diagnostic precision and efficiency.

The establishment of BCI represents a significant step forward in providing comprehensive cancer care within the region while fostering advancements through research collaborations.

With inputs from WAM