14 April 2019, Abu Dhabi – UAE: Al Khwarizmi International College has signed a cooperation agreement with Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children in Abu Dhabi, part of United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), aiming to accept the students of Al Khwarizmi College to be trained at the hospital’s different departments, in addition to cooperating in joint training programs, scientific conferences and research.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Assem Al Haj, President of Al Khwarizmi International College and Mr. Mariano Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of Danat Al Emarat Hospital, in the presence of a number of senior leaders from both parties.

Mr. Mariano Gonzalez stated, “We are keen to collaborate with educational organizations and support their curriculums by training their students and preparing them for the working environment. Our laboratory department will be home for their medical laboratory bachelor degree students under the supervision of our pathologists and the college faculty, where we will ensure the high competencies of the students upon the completion of their training.”

“With the multiple international affiliations and partnerships which we have at Danat Al Emarat, we are committed to join forces with medical schools in the Emirate and help transfer knowledge and prepare the upcoming generation for the working environment,” Mr. Gonzalez added.

Dr. Assem Al-Haj stressed on the importance of this agreement, which opens wide horizons for a fruitful cooperation between Al Khawarizmi and Danat Al Emarat, especially in the field of training and recruitment of students at Danat Al Emarat Hospital, which is considered as one of the leading institutions in the health sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. “Through the partnership, we aim to enhance the efficiency and capabilities of our students which our faculty places amongst our top priorities through delivering high quality education,” Dr. Al-Haj added.

20 March 2019: Abu Dhabi-based United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical) announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in Al Muhaideb Dental Clinics Group in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deal was worth 500 Million Dirhams, and comes in line with UEMedical’s expansion plan in the region. With the acquisition, UEMedical’s assets increased to AED 3 Billion, including Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, two IVF Centers and 7 specialized centers under HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers and 2 pharmacies in Abu Dhabi besides the newly acquired Dental Group, Al Muhaideb, in KSA.

Amongst the assets acquired of Al Muhaideb Dental Clinics Group are 46 dental clinics in Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Mecca and Al Qassim. The clinics employ 1417 healthcare professionals, out of which 420 are dentists with multiple qualifications. The clinics are fully equipped with 441 advanced dental chairs. Established in 2000, Al Muhaideb Dental Group now welcomes around 500 thousand patients annually.

Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO and Managing Director of UEMedical expressed his delight at the acquisition which comes within the framework of UEMedical's strategy and expansion plans regionally. He said “This step is part of the group’s strategy to spread its expertise to neighboring countries and to diversify the range of specialized services the group provides to the community in the UAE and in the GCC.”

Mr. Al Shorafa stressed on the importance of this acquisition for the group. “As we further extend our geographic footprint in UAE and the region, our strategic plans include expanding our existing facilities, establishing new facilities; and acquiring facilities that widen our spectrum of services, working with key players in the region.”

“We are also continuing with our expansion plan in 2019 as we plan to open HealthPlus Fertility Center in Jeddah this June, and another center in Riyadh, an addition to our chain of HealthPlus Fertility Centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We will also acquire more medical centers in Saudi Arabia over the next few months,” Mr. Al Shorafa further added.

Mr. Al Shorafa also said that this acquisition will open new horizons to expand dental services in the UAE for the group. “It is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise between Al Muhaideb Dental Clinics and our UAE-based facilities, including HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers and Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children.”

“UEMedical will continue its efforts to provide the best dental and oral services through the newly acquired clinics, as well as the introduction of new specialties, with a focus on innovative services and the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Dental services at Al Muhaideb Dental Clinics include dental implants, aesthetic and restorative of dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, prosthetic dentistry; treatment of mouth diseases, teeth and gums; root canals, maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry and more,” Mr. Al Shorafa concluded.

16 November 2018 – Abu Dhabi, UAE: Participants at the 5th Annual Diabetes for Primary Care Conference, which was held today 16 November 2018 in Park Rotana Hotel, and was organized by United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical) and HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, praised the accomplishments of the UAE in reducing diabetes rates according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention recent announcement that the rates of diabetes in UAE declined from 18.9% to 11.8%. The result was based on a national comprehensive health survey which was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Community Protection in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

Participants also assured that this decline in Diabetes prevalence within the UAE community shows the effectiveness in the preventive measures implemented by the healthcare authorities in UAE, and the public and private healthcare sectors. Educational and social activities have contributed in increasing awareness on diabetes prevention in the society, and to adapt healthy lifestyles. Physicians at the conference agreed on the importance of such awareness programs all year long and the importance of health and preventive screenings in public places to help continue reducing the prevalence of diabetes.

Mr. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO and Managing Director of UEMedical in Abu Dhabi said that the group is keen to hold this diabetes conference annually as it comes in line with our commitment towards education. As one of the key specialized centers, HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center aims to gather key speakers and participants under one platform to learn about new technologies, exchange knowledge and share experiences that would help with enhancing the levels of services offered. He also praised the collaboration and efforts of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi in supporting health awareness activities and medical education programs.

Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers in Abu Dhabi said that through organizing public health campaigns and scientific conferences in addition to using the latest technologies for our patients, HealthPlus Diabetes Center will continue to help decreasing diabetes prevalence in UAE. “The conference today has included 7 scientific lectures focusing on the recent trends in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, and the interaction was phenomenal!”, Mr. Abu Zant added.

Dr. Mohammed Al Khatib, Chairman of the Conference, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine Consultant at HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi spoke during his lecture about the latest scientific techniques in treating type 2 diabetes and controlling glucose levels in blood. Dr. Al Khatib said, “The management of diabetes type 2 has markedly changed in the last 3 years towards a cardiovascular outcome-oriented therapy of diabetes. This paradigm shift was mirrored in the recently published ADA and EASD consensus paper where the safety and cardiovascular protection of patients with diabetes and the prevention of events like myocardial infarction and heart failure as well as stroke and amputations are the focus of treatment. The lecture about cardiovascular outcome studies showed that the newer generation of glucose lowering agents have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular health of patients with diabetes type 2.”

He clarified that over 180 healthcare professionals attended the conference. “We see number of attendees increase year by year, which shows an increasing interest in the update of diabetes management in the UAE. Lectures and presentations included challenges in managing diabetes, diabetes education, latest technologies in diagnosis and treatment of the disease, diabetes relation to kidney health, insulin treatment, bariatric surgeries, diabetes relation to polycystic ovaries and some case studies of patients suffering from diabetes.”

Dr. Hazem Al Momani, Head of Surgery Department, Bariatric Surgery Consultant at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children in Abu Dhabi presented a paper about metabolic problems, diabetes relation to obesity and the risks of obesity.

Dr. Al Momani also noted that obesity rates are increasing, while recent international scientific studies show that obesity is one of the leading causes of cancer and death. Obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer worldwide, and the mortality rates due to obesity are higher than mortality rates caused by smoking.

He also said that obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes, blood pressure, infertility, as well as psychological problems. He also spoke about the surgical options for obesity, which includes Gastric Bypass, Gastric Sleeve and other methods according to the needs and type of the case. He also noted that 50 successful procedures were performed at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children to treat these cases after launching the Bariatric Department earlier this year.

Dr. Al Momani also said, “A healthy diet on a daily basis and daily walking of 10 thousand steps can limit obesity and problems related to diabetes.”

From his side, Dr. Igor Kozak, Ophthalmology Consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi discussed with the attendees the various complications of diabetes on the retina, and the importance of annual checkups and controlling blood sugar levels to avoid complications to the retina.

The conference is accredited by Department of Health Abu Dhabi for 7 CME hours. Alongside the conference, numerous pharmaceutical companies participated in the exhibition and showcased the latest technologies in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.