Dubai Health announced its preparedness plan to ensure visitors’ safety and well-being during the upcoming New Year's celebrations in various locations across Dubai. The comprehensive readiness plan encompasses setting up a fully equipped field hospital in the downtown Burj Khalifa area, ensuring immediate access to medical support at the heart of the festivities.

The plan extends across Dubai Health's hospitals and ambulatory health centers to guarantee seamless coordination and readiness to address potential emergencies during the event, which is expected to draw a significant number of attendees from both the local community and tourists. The plan underscores Dubai Health's unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and safety during one of the busiest festive events of the year.

Dr. Sara Kazim, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Dubai Health, said: “Dubai Health's emergency departments are fully prepared to manage any cases during New Year celebrations. Additionally, our field hospital boasts a specialized team of medical and nursing professionals adept at handling diverse emergency cases. The clinical team is complemented by a dedicated administrative staff and a logistics support team. The hospital is outfitted with medical equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals, ensuring the provision of comprehensive and integrated care for all individuals requiring medical attention.'

Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Health, Khalifa Baqer, said: “We developed a comprehensive action plan tailored to meet emergency response requirements at various celebration locations throughout the emirate. Our primary focus is delivering the best healthcare services, adhering to the highest standards of quality and efficiency, with paramount attention to overseeing the safety and medical care of all individuals involved in the celebration, in line with our primary values, Patient First.”

Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, held an industry briefing session on Day 1 of the 49th Arab Health Exhibition and Congress, taking place this week at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

At the session, H.E. Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, presented a comprehensive overview of Dubai's first integrated academic health system model to over 150 industry thought leaders and officials from the UAE and abroad. Drawing parallels with globally renowned institutions adopting similar models, Dr. Amer shared exclusive insights on the work being undertaken by Dubai Health. Dubai aligns with leading academic health systems worldwide, enhancing patient outcomes and promoting accessibility and sustainability within its healthcare sector.

During the session, Dr. Amer highlighted Dubai Health’s commitment to enhancing health outcomes by building local talent and fostering research and innovation. He also shed light on working collaboratively by integrating knowledge, people, and capabilities to deliver patient-centric, evidence-based care that sets new benchmarks in healthcare excellence.

Dr. Amer Sharif said: “Through a unified commitment to patient-centered care, we are not just shaping the present healthcare landscape, but also laying the foundation for a transformative future anchored in our primary value of 'Patient First.’ This commitment extends beyond the present, as we strive to create a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing of our community for generations to come.”

“Central to our goals are partnerships and collaborations that amplify our efforts and catalyze innovation. By cultivating strong alliances with stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, we harness collective expertise and resources to address the present health challenges and drive meaningful change, ensuring that together we advance health for humanity.” H.E. Amer added.

Dubai Health was established to elevate the standard of care and to advance health for humanity. Dubai Health comprises six hospitals, 26 ambulatory health centers, 20 medical fitness centers, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Al Jalila Foundation through the integration of care, learning, discovery, and giving. Eleven thousand employees collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to put the patient first.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai attended a ceremony unveiling the design of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, part of Dubai Health. Set to be Dubai's first integrated, comprehensive cancer hospital, the event also announced the hospital's groundbreaking model of care.

Marking a significant step in terms of providing advanced and accessible cancer care, Dubai Health announced that the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital is to open in 2026. The hospital honors the legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, paying tribute to his lifetime of service to the nation and extraordinary global philanthropic activities that continue to touch the lives of many around the world.

The ceremony was held at the site allocated for the hospital in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors; His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors; and Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Establishment for Medical and Educational Sciences.

His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA); Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, Chairperson of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors and Dubai Health Board Member, and His Excellency Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health also attended the ceremony among other officials and donors.

The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital is being developed with the aid of generous donations received through Al Jalila Foundation, which leads Dubai Health's giving mission. The collective contributions of individuals and organizations will support the establishment of the 56,000²m hospital.

Reflection of Dubai Social Agenda 33
HH Sheikh Hamdan said, "The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital honors the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This new addition to the health system in Dubai will play a crucial role in achieving the Dubai Social Agenda 33 goal to deliver the most efficient world-class healthcare system of the highest quality."
HH Sheikh Hamdan thanked all donors who had contributed to the hospital project, highlighting their support as invaluable contributions to building the future of Dubai and its healthcare sector.

Beacon of hope
HH Sheikh Ahmed said, "The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital is a fitting tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, resonating with his belief that helping others was not just a duty but a blessing. The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital will stand as a beacon of hope, a hub of innovation, and a promise to provide excellent care to our patients in Dubai and beyond. With some of the world's leading experts, cutting-edge technology, and a compassionate approach, we will create an environment that fosters healing and resilience in the region."

HH Sheikh Mansour said, "The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital will break new ground in elevating cancer care standards, reaffirming Dubai Health's commitment to advancing health for humanity. Together, we will honor the legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and realize Dubai's ambition to be a global leader in healthcare innovation, ensuring access to world-class medical services for all."

The hospital, located in the Al Jaddaf area, is envisaged to host 50 clinics, 30 clinical research areas, 60 infusion rooms, 10 urgent care rooms, 5 radiotherapy rooms, and 116 inpatient beds. Enhancing the healing environment for patients and their families will be 19 gardens distributed across the hospital campus. Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has been appointed as the architect for the project.

As part of Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, the comprehensive cancer hospital will benefit from a multidisciplinary team, including specialized nursing, offering patients a full spectrum of care services in one location, from early diagnosis to treatment and supportive care. Aligning with Dubai Health's 'Patient First' promise, select treatments and services will be made available to patients in the comfort of their homes, ensuring an easy and accessible continuum of care.  

HE Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg said, "We extend our deepest gratitude to all our generous donors for upholding the spirit of giving, echoing the legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The hospital is a collective endeavor, a testament to our shared humanity, uniting us against a global challenge."

New model of care
The hospital will spearhead a transformative shift in care delivery, moving from a traditional inpatient model to an ambulatory model of care. This shift includes integrating primary care with diagnosis and treatment to offer detection and intervention at earlier stages of the patient's journey.

Research and clinical trials will be at the heart of the hospital's array of services, fostering opportunities for discovering the best patient outcomes through personalized, patient-centric, evidence-based care.