Uplifting medical care with centres of excellence
Zulekha Hospital inspires to surpass fears for a happier tomorrow
Zulekha Hospital, UAE, has seen a consistent growth pattern over the last five decades. Its hospital based in Sharjah started off as a 30-bed set-up with basic facilities for gynaecology, obstetrics, surgery, medicine and paediatrics in 1992, and today boasts 150 inpatient beds. Since its inception in 2004, Zulekha Hospital, Dubai has also seen consistent growth, delivering affordable healthcare services to residents in the city, keeping patient safety and patient experiences as their epitome of success.
In collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco, Zulekha Hospital will soon be inaugurating its state-of-the-art Cancer Research and Treatment Centre in Dubai adjacent to its current facility. The management believes a centre of excellence in oncology will benefit the society at large in the UAE. Every year the hospital has made a difference and touched thousands of lives through health awareness campaigns. The success is seen in the increasing numbers of free screenings. The masses are more aware now than before. With an aim of reducing deaths resulting from cancers, they pledge to create awareness on early detection and prevention of cancer. This, the hospital does by offering free checks thrice each year through campaigns, namely “Pink It Now”, the breast cancer awareness campaign, “Smear Don’t Fear”, the cervical cancer awareness campaign and “Screen and Survive”, the colon cancer awareness campaign.
The breast cancer screening numbers have seen an upward trend since 2014 when 850 women took the tests, moving to 1,826 in 2015, and further moving up to 2,902 in the year 2016. For cervical cancer, the teams screened 282 women in 2014, 475 in 2015 and 1,400 women in 2016. The year 2017 again will continue to educate the masses on early detection, prevention and vaccination.
Extending its arm of care to India, the group shadows its UAE practices in developing an international quality healthcare facility for the benefit of the local communities as well. Alexis Multispeciality Hospital was launched in Nagpur in November 2016. Alexis offers the latest Radiation Therapy unit supporting its oncology wing with a team of highly experienced, renowned specialists and medical personnel.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in India, with about 2.5 million cancer patients, one million new cases being added every year, and a projection that the disease will rise five-fold by 2025. The oncology department at Alexis Hospital is equipped with the latest Linear Accelerators (LINAC), Brachytherapy, Radiation Therapy and CT Simulation, thus providing complete cancer care under one roof. The initiative is backed by yearly awareness campaigns for various types of cancers, its early detection, vaccination and prevention.
Dr Adil Daud, HS Clinical Professor at University of California San Francisco (UCSF); Director, Melanoma Clinical Research, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center will lead the research and development of the oncology centre of excellence in Nagpur. The larger objective is to support medical tourism from international destinations, enabling easy access to affordable healthcare.
That’s not all. The year began with a resolution “No More Excuses”, an initiative led by Zulekha Hospital aimed to create awareness on the significance of a healthy lifestyle despite the daily tiring humdrum. Many corporates and individuals have already pledged their support to this engaging thought. More activities and free health checkups are being offered throughout this year of giving – 2017.
The group has been known for being a pioneer in providing medical services with a difference to their patrons. The personnel of the group draw their strength and inspiration from the leaders. The leaders continue to scout for the best in terms of infrastructure, equipment, technology and professional expertise.