Dubai breaks ground on landmark cancer hospital

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, raised the curtain on the design of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, a groundbreaking facility set to transform cancer care in the region.

Marking a significant step towards advanced and accessible cancer treatment, the hospital, slated for a 2026 opening, will honour the legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, renowned for his philanthropic work.

The ceremony, held at the hospital’s designated site, saw the attendance of prominent figures including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Health Board, and Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, director general of Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The 56,000-square-metre hospital, funded through generous donations facilitated by Al Jalila Foundation, will house 50 clinics, 30 research areas, 60 infusion rooms, and 116 inpatient beds.

Nineteen gardens will be integrated throughout the campus for a nurturing environment.

The new cancer hospital will position Dubai as a global healthcare hub

“This new addition to our health system aligns with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33, aiming for the most efficient world-class healthcare,” emphasised Sheikh Hamdan, expressing gratitude to donors for their “invaluable contributions.”

Today, we laid the foundation for the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, part of Dubai Health, which will be Dubai’s first integrated, comprehensive cancer hospital when completed in 2026. The project continues the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al… pic.twitter.com/1OWUqzYWsM

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) February 5, 2024

Sheikh Ahmed echoed the sentiment, calling the hospital a “fitting tribute” to Sheikh Hamdan’s humanitarian spirit and a “beacon of hope” for patients.

Sheikh Mansour further underscored the project’s alignment with Dubai’s ambition to be a healthcare innovation leader.

As part of Dubai Health’s academic system, the hospital will offer a complete care spectrum – from diagnosis to treatment and support – through a multidisciplinary team.

Select services will be available at home, reflecting a shift towards an ambulatory care model.

Research and clinical trials will be central to the hospital’s approach, pushing boundaries for personalised, evidence-based medicine.