Abu Dhabi’s VPS Healthcare, a leading healthcare provider, has collaborated with a Korea-based oncology centre to establish state-of-the-art cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and research facilities across the UAE.

The partnership between VPS Healthcare and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital (SSMH) will feature extensive and comprehensive care for cancer patients, particularly in the areas of prevention and early detection.

VPS Healthcare and SSMH are employing a four pillar strategy: 1) Setting up of health promotion centres; 2) education and awareness; 3) assembling a team of expert medical professionals and state-of-the-art technology for comprehensive cancer care and rehabilitation; and 4) research and development.
“Our four pillar approach is critical to achieving comprehensive success in the battle against cancer,” said Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, VPS Healthcare’s managing director.

“The establishment of an extensive network of healthcare centres, the fielding of both leading medical professionals and top-of-the-line technology, the employment of a comprehensive approach to treatment and rehabilitation, and education and awareness services – all of these endeavours are essential to success. VPS Healthcare is dedicated to bringing a high quality sustainable healthcare delivery system to the Emirati community.”

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership, and the potential it has for a positive impact on the battle against cancer in the UAE,” said Dr Hoo Guen Chun, director of SSMH’s Comprehensive Cancer Institute.

“The team at VPS Healthcare share with SSMH a passion for and dedication to providing easily available screenings and consistent, quality care for patients.”

SSMH will primarily be acting as VPS Healthcare’s technical services partner, advising on the methodology for the establishment of the new centres, the acquisition of the best technological tools, and the assembling world-class teams of medical professionals and technical experts.

However SSMH will also be providing a wide range of consulting services in pursuit of the success of VPS Healthcare’s strategic goals, drawing on a wealth of institutional knowledge.

VPS Healthcare’s plan is to leverage SSMH’s technical know-how and experience in setting up and managing its Health Promotion Centres.

The first of VPS Healthcare’s Health Promotion Centres will be established in the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi by the end of the year, a statement said.

A second facility will be included as part of the new Korean Hospital in Dubai, which is being constructed by VPS Healthcare in partnership with Meydan MHK Healthcare. The new facility, located on the Meydan Racecourse District Grounds in Dubai, will cover a 280,000 sq ft plot, and comprises two buildings housing 170 patient beds, 7 operating rooms, and employing over 600 highly trained medical and care staff.

VPS Healthcare’s strategic vision is to have an extensive network of Health Promotion Centres across the UAE and other countries within five years.

“VPS Healthcare embraces the philosophy that readily available screening and early detection are the critical keys to alleviating cancer,” explained Dr Vayalil. “In support of this, these new centres will focus extensively on detection and accurate diagnosis, implementing test programs stratified by age, organ system and family history.

“In addition, VPS Healthcare also plans to focus heavily on health promotion, research, and epidemiology, utilizing the experience and expertise of our Korean partners.”

One of the innovative projects that VPS Healthcare plans to make available to its patients is what they call the Unique Health Navigator Program. This is a pioneering individualized approach to treatment, focused on the exploration and utilization of the genetic, familial, environmental, cultural and personal circumstances of individual patients, in order to more accurately apply customized treatment to patients.

Over the next two years, these Health Promotion Centres will become fully affiliated with VPS Healthcare’s upcoming Burjeel Medical City, a one million sq ft complex to be located at Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

“Burjeel Medical City will provide comprehensive healthcare, with specialty services such as oncology, acute care, long term care, and wellness,” explained Dr Vayalil. “Its oncology centre will provide comprehensive care for various cancers and provide critical treatments, including bone marrow transplants, for patients.” – TradeArabia News Service