New cancer hospital in Dubai to provide free treatment for low-income patients

Plans have been unveiled for a new cancer hospital in Dubai which will provide free treatment to low-income patients.

The Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital is believed to be the UAE’s first such facility and is being built as a tribute to the late Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai inspected plans for the hospital which is being constructed in association with the Al Jalila Foundation.

The 250-bed hospital will have the capacity to treat 30,000 patients a year, offering comprehensive services ranging from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.

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The facility will also support cancer research and train medical practitioners to deliver world-class treatment services, said a statement.

Spanning 50,000 square metres, the seven-storey hospital will be Dubai’s first fully modular-built hospital. The modular concept allows flexibility for future expansion and reduces design time by 50 per cent, construction time by 30 per cent and cost by 20 per cent.

To be completed in two phases, the charity cancer hospital will begin operations in 2023. A total of 150 beds will be created in the first phase while expansion plans implemented in the second phase will expand capacity to 250 beds.

According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and is responsible for about 10 million deaths per year. In the UAE, approximately 4,500 new cases of cancer are reported every year and it is one of the leading causes of deaths.

Due to the high prevalence and importance of the disease, Al Jalila Foundation has awarded 43 cancer research grants to help facilitate breakthroughs to treat this disease. The new cancer hospital will not only provide advanced cancer treatment for those who cannot afford it and will work with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Medical Research Institute to advance cancer research.

“Hamdan bin Rashid will always be remembered in our nation for giving more than he was asked, and for working silently for the service of humanity. The hospital is a fitting tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, one of the world’s greatest philanthropists, and we are proud to come together to build on his legacy to make quality healthcare within reach for all,” said Sheikh Mohammed.