Latest news with #NMCHealthcare
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
NMC Royal Hospital DIP revolutionising breast cancer surgery in the UAE with Sentimag system
The Sentimag system offers a breakthrough alternative by replacing radioactive tracers and blue dye with a safe, non-radioactive technique In a significant advancement for breast cancer treatment in the UAE, NMC Royal Hospital DIP has successfully performed its first breast cancer surgery using the Sentimag system, a cutting-edge, radiation-free technology for sentinel lymph node localisation, marking a major milestone in surgical innovation in the country. The procedure, a first across the entire NMC Healthcare network, was performed at the hospital's dedicated Breast Cancer Clinic by Dr Afaf Sahraoui, specialist in breast, thyroid, and parathyroid surgery, and certified by the Norwegian Health Board. The Sentimag system replaces the conventional use of radioactive tracers and blue dye with a safe, magnetic alternative, enhancing both patient safety and surgical precision. In modern surgical breast cancer surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy is a crucial step used to determine whether cancer has spread beyond the tumour. Traditionally, this process involves the use of radioactive isotopes and blue dye to locate sentinel lymph nodes which are methods that can pose risks such as radiation exposure, potential allergic reactions and complex logistical challenges due to strict timing of tracer injections. The Sentimag system offers a breakthrough alternative by replacing radioactive tracers and blue dye with a safe, non-radioactive technique. It uses Magtrace, a liquid solution containing magnetic nanoparticles administered before surgery. During the procedure, a handheld probe is used to detect magnetic signals and accurately locate and remove the sentinel lymph node. The same system can also deploy Magseed, a tiny magnetic marker used to localise nonpalpable breast tumours (those not detectable by touch), eliminating the need for traditional guidewires. The first patient to undergo surgery using Sentimag at NMC Royal Hospital DIP was a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with a 26mm invasive breast carcinoma, a malignant tumour that had spread beyond the breast tissue. Following evaluation by a multidisciplinary tumour board, she was recommended for breast-conserving surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy using the Sentimag system. As the tumour was palpable, Magtrace alone was sufficient, and the procedure was successfully completed through a minimally invasive incision, with the sentinel nodes accurately identified and removed without complications. The technique significantly reduced recovery time, with the patient experiencing minimal discomfort and was discharged just six hours after surgery. She also showed excellent recovery at her one-week postoperative follow-up with no signs of infection. "This technology offers a safer, more convenient, and patient-friendly advancement in breast cancer surgery," said Dr Afaf Sahraoui. "By eliminating the use of radiation and blue dye, we're not only reducing risks but also simplifying the surgical process without compromising diagnostic accuracy. It's a significant step forward for women's health in the UAE." "Sentimag revolutionises sentinel lymph node surgery with a precise, radiation-free alternative,' added Dr Shaista Meraj, consultant radiologist. 'It expands patient access particularly in units like ours, without on-site radioisotopes. This ensures breast clinic efficiency by providing a sustainable and patient friendly alternative to radioactive tracer." The introduction of the Sentimag system reinforces NMC Royal Hospital DIP's commitment to innovation and patient-centred care, making it one of the first hospitals in Dubai to offer this advanced, radiation-free solution for breast cancer surgery. This breakthrough strengthens the hospital's Breast Cancer Clinic offering and reflects NMC Healthcare's ongoing dedication to providing world-class evidence-based treatments to patients across the country.
Khaleej Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
New name and expanded services: NMC Royal Women's Hospital rebrands as NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi to offer family-centred care
NMC Royal Women's Hospital Abu Dhabi, a long-standing leader in women's and children's health in the UAE, has officially rebranded to NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi, reflecting its ongoing commitment to expanding access to comprehensive healthcare for the entire family. Building upon its extensive women's health services, the newly rebranded hospital now offers a dedicated paediatric clinic, family medicine, and internal medicine available to women, men, and children of all ages. As part of this expansion, the hospital has also extended its obstetrics and gynaecology hours and operates 24/7, ensuring round-the-clock access to expert, high-quality care. Dr. Zaka Ullah Khan, chief clinical officer of NMC Healthcare, said: "With our expanded services, we are now better equipped than ever to care for the entire family - from newborns to adults - all under one roof. This transformation preserves our specialised women's health services while extending integrated, high-quality, outpatient care to men and children at every stage of life, ensuring a seamless continuum of care within one trusted facility." NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to providing its full range of women's health services, including its advanced Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which provides highly specialised, expert care for premature and critically ill newborns. Its existing core specialties in obstetrics, gynaecology, fertility, and foetal medicine remain central to its offering, alongside in-house physiotherapy services that support patient recovery and rehabilitation. Since 2015, the hospital has set a benchmark in patient-centred care by combining cutting-edge medical services and technology with a warm, supportive, and healing environment. The 94-bed facility offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of specialists in paediatrics, internal medicine, nutrition, plastic surgery, radiology, and more. To mark this important milestone, the hospital hosted a ceremony on 28 May, attended by medical staff, community members, and senior leadership from NMC Healthcare. The event celebrated the hospital's evolution and reaffirmed its commitment to providing integrated, world-class healthcare to families across the capital. David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare, said: "The expansion of NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi reflects our commitment to making high-quality, personalised care accessible to all communities in the UAE. More than just a name change, it marks our transformation into a fully integrated family healthcare facility. This is aligned with our mission to broaden access to essential health services through our growing network of hospitals and clinics across the UAE, and represents a deeper investment in ensuring that every individual, at every stage of life, receives the support they need to live healthier, fuller lives." For more information on the services at NMC Royal Hospital Abu Dhabi, please visit:
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Embrace AI or be replaced, experts warn employees
Are you worried that your job might become automated one day and you might be asked to leave the company? Employees need to train themselves on technical skills before they become redundant at their companies, industry executives warned on Wednesday. "Junior level employees need to start training themselves in technical skills. Instead of your senior coming and telling you that this process can be automated, if you are not thinking ahead of time, you will be replaced by the year. We need to train and upskill our juniors on technical skills," said Ashok Mehngi, group financial controller, NMC Healthcare. "Mid-level staff need to work not only on technical skills but also on how to collaborate with other departments. Finance can no more be a single department which will work in silos, but work collaboratively with other departments, and middle-level managers need to learn it," he added while speaking during a panel discussion at the New Age Finance and Accounting Summit organized by Khaleej Times on Wednesday. Senior employees need both technical and people management skills With regard to senior level employees, he added that strategic thinking alone is not going to serve the purpose without them also being enabled with AI. "We're increasingly focusing on improvement. The audit closing is no more a monthly thing, it might become a bi-monthly exercise because we don't want wait for month-end to see the results and then take action. The finance team needs to support everybody in such a way that, going forward, this bi-monthly reporting will happen, and people start making the decision at a faster pace," he said. He stressed on learning both technical and people management skills. "We need both of them even at the senior level. They need to learn technical skills, because, when my juniors or mid-level team members provide me with some reports, if I do not understand how these reports are made, I will not be able to make those decisions. So technical skills are required not only at a junior level but also at a senior level. It's high time firms started investing in technology and people, because going forward, nobody will accept it. It's important to have people and technical skills, both,' he said during the panel discussion, which was moderated by Anand Soni, group CFO and strategic finance and business transformation leader and corporate trainer. Sireesha Venkata, Group CFO of BPG Group, and Ramkumar Balasubramaniam, CFO of Barclays, also took part in the panel discussion. Quit worrying about your job, embrace AI Anshu Sharma Raja, banking CIO and global technology leader, said finance professionals should embrace new technologies instead of worrying about artificial intelligence (AI) taking away their jobs. "We are in the new wave of AI revolution. Digital transformation is one thing, but this AI wave is a whole new thing and that is truly happening. I can't imagine anybody not using ChatGPT and so on. People like me have stopped using Google and now go to ChatGPT and other platforms. It has democratized that technology and it is in the hands of every single one of us, from CEOs to the junior-most guy. It is not about how I can save my job, but how I can leverage that technology so that I can do my job in a more efficient, effortless way to minimize errors," said Raja. She noted that be it small or big companies, they are integrating ChatGPT and other AI capabilities into their platform. "None of our jobs will be secure in the current avatar when you have driverless cars and so on. Those things are a reality, not some sci-fi thing that's going to happen in 50 years' time. People are questioning the value of education and degrees," she said during the panel discussion, adding that a lot of times finance teams and the CFOs keep themselves at arm's length from technology and think of themselves as users of a technology platform that a tech team is providing. "I would encourage everybody to change that narrative. Get in the conversation, start driving requirements upfront and start co-creating based on what's available today. Ask your CIOs how to embrace this technology rather than getting worried about the jobs being taken away," she added.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
NMC Healthcare opens Dubai Marina's first dedicated Paediatric Clinic
The state-of-the-art clinic is currently the first facility dedicated entirely to paediatric care within NMC Healthcare's expansive network In a significant move to enhance family-focused healthcare in Dubai, NMC Healthcare has officially opened the NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic - the city's first fully dedicated paediatric facility, strategically located along Marina Walk. The launch event, held on May 16 was attended by senior officials and representatives from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Emaar, and NMC Healthcare. The ceremony ended in a tour of the facility, showcasing its purpose-built design to meet the unique and diverse medical and emotional needs of children and their families. The state-of-the-art clinic is currently the first facility dedicated entirely to paediatric care within NMC Healthcare's expansive network and is among the first in Dubai exclusively dedicated to paediatric care. It offers a comprehensive range of integrated, multidisciplinary paediatric services under one roof including general paediatrics, endocrinology, allergy and immunology, gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry, physiotherapy, osteopathy and high demand services in speech language therapy. By housing a broad suite of subspecialities in one location, NMC ensures families have access to early diagnosis, intervention and ongoing care tailored to the needs of children of all ages. The NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic stands out for its unique, child-centric design, created specifically with the needs of young patients in mind. Every aspect of the clinic's aesthetics and interiors has been thoughtfully tailored for children, featuring child-sized furniture, playful and engaging décor, and warm, welcoming reception areas. This carefully curated environment aims to create a safe and soothing atmosphere that helps ease anxiety and build trust among children of all ages and their caregivers. 'This new clinic provides a comprehensive range of paediatric services, giving families fast, convenient access to high-quality care for their children,' said David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare. 'We're proud to bring this purpose-built, child-focused facility to life in such a thriving, family-oriented neighbourhood. It's the first of four clinics we plan to open across Dubai and the Northern Emirates this year, reflecting our mission to deliver more personalised care to all communities across the country.' Strategically located in the heart of Marina Walk, the clinic is easily accessible for residents of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), The Meadows, The Springs, Dubai Media City, and neighbouring communities. The NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic is open seven days a week, offering convenient access to quality healthcare for modern families and working parents. This makes it a valuable addition to Dubai's ever-evolving healthcare landscape. NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic marks a significant milestone for the group and serves as a beacon of accessible, specialised care in one of Dubai's most dynamic residential hubs. The opening of the NMC Marina Paediatric Clinic reflects the group's broader commitment to transforming healthcare delivery through patient-first innovation, community integration, and clinical excellence. As one of the region's largest and most trusted private healthcare providers, NMC continues to expand its services with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and wellbeing across every stage of life.
Trade Arabia
19-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Tawoos in deal to acquire NMC's Omani healthcare unit
Tawoos Group, one of Oman's premier business groups, has announced that it has entered into a legally binding agreement with NMC Healthcare Group, a leading integrated private healthcare provider group in UAE, to acquire NMC Healthcare LLC Oman and Elegant Medical Center Oman (NMC Oman). Founded in 2016, NMC Oman comprises two hospitals, and six clinics and aesthetics centres. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed within the next two months. Following completion, NMC will provide transitional support services over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and continued excellent patient care. The financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. This acquisition is central to Tawoos Group's strategy to strengthen and expand the private healthcare sector in Oman, bolster services offered through premium healthcare facilities and further diversify their investment portfolio. Tawoos Group Chairman Samir J Fancy said the acquisition was much more than just securing assets; it was about ensuring continuity of care, upskilling and creating a strong local healthcare brand that benefits Oman. "This is just the first step of a journey that will become a larger platform for private healthcare that is affordable yet best in class. This has been a classic case of the public sector working with private enterprises for the good of the Omani economy," he stated. Chief Investment Officer Sameer Ul Haque said: "The acquisition of NMC Oman marks a strategic entry into a sector with strong fundamentals and national importance. With deep local insights, a long-term investment horizon and experience in managing regulated businesses, Tawoos is uniquely positioned to create durable value in Oman's healthcare sector." This transaction also aligns with the NMC Group's strategy to streamline its focus on its core multi-specialty healthcare services in the UAE, including the enhancement of existing facilities and strategic growth across Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In March 2025, the NMC Group opened a state-of-the-art paediatric medical centre in the densely populated Marina area of Dubai, with plans to open an additional three new facilities this year, including a new multi-specialty medical centre on the Palm Island in Dubai. NMC Healthcare CEO David Hadley, expressing delight at serving communities in Oman through its network of hospitals and medical facilities, said: "At a time when we are strategically focusing on our core operations and planned investments in the UAE, we welcome the acquisition of NMC Oman by Tawoos, a leading, trusted, and well-established Omani business with a proven track record of fostering innovation and long-term growth - key drivers of quality healthcare delivery." "We look forward to working closely with Tawoos in the coming months to ensure continuity of care for patients and a smooth transition of ownership," stated Hadley. Tawoos is a family office established over 40 years ago and is among the premier business groups in Oman. The Group has a diversified portfolio of operating businesses in agriculture, power and telecommunications, energy, defense, hospitality and training sectors, and is continuously searching for investment opportunities in new sectors, including premium real estate development, global capital markets, and the private healthcare sector.
