As part of its “Check What Really Matters” campaign and marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) hosted a panel discussion titled “Breast Cancer: Behavioural Change and Innovation for Healthier Communities.” The event gathered public health, breast health and oncology experts to discuss behavioural change around screening, alongside the advances and innovations reshaping breast cancer prevention, detection, and care.

The discussions come as Abu Dhabi builds on tangible progress in screening uptake. Breast cancer screenings increased by 377.5% in October 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, coinciding with the previous edition of the “Check What Really Matters” campaign and reflecting its impact in encouraging women to prioritise early detection and take a more proactive approach to their health.

Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said, “The increase we saw in breast cancer screenings last October shows what can happen when awareness turns into action. Our priority, not just in October but for the rest of this year, is to build on that progress and make preventive screening a sustained part of how people look after their health. That means continuing to understand what may prevent women from screening, whether it is fear, misconceptions or practical barriers, and working with our healthcare and community partners to make taking that next step easier. Early detection remains one of the most important actions we can take to support better health outcomes.”

The first panel focused on the factors that influence a woman’s decision to undergo screening, how behavioural and psychological barriers that may delay this step can be addressed, and how awareness of the importance of early detection can be translated into sustained preventive behaviour. The discussion explored how public health authorities, healthcare providers, workplaces, and communities can encourage women to undergo screening by understanding the factors that may influence their decisions, making screening easier to access, and making it a natural part of looking after their health.

Dr. Mouza Al Ameri, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Consultant Breast Surgeon, Former Member of the Federal National Council, and Former Chief of the Breast Cancer Centre at SEHA Tawam Hospital, highlighted, “Fear can make the disease feel bigger than it is. Once it is diagnosed, it becomes something we can deal with, and that is why courage is the first step towards taking action. When a woman comes to my clinic for screening, I tell her, “Get it done, go home, and come back when your next screening is due.” It is an appointment; it should not be something that you linger on or allow fear to make bigger in your mind. Initiatives such as ‘Check What Really Matters’ help us communicate this message more effectively and have helped increase screening rates. Early detection can save women a great deal of difficulty later.”

Dr. Alaa Al Nuaimi, Consultant Psychiatrist at Sakina, said: “Psychological safety and community support play an important role in helping women navigate screening and diagnosis, particularly in addressing the psychological aspects and emotions experienced around diagnosis, including fear and anxiety. Women, by their nurturing nature, may put the priorities of their loved ones before their own. Awareness is about providing information, psychological safety helps them act, and human connection helps them sustain the journey.”

The discussion was followed by the personal experience of a breast cancer patient, offering a real-life perspective on the importance of overcoming fear around screening and early detection and how it enabled her to continue pursuing her life and ambitions following her experience with the disease.

The second panel discussion, “Innovation for Healthier Communities: From Prevention to Personalized Care,” looked at how advances across the breast cancer journey are creating opportunities to understand individual risk, detect cancer earlier, and tailor care more closely to each patient.

Experts discussed the growing role of genetics, genomics, and family history in understanding breast cancer risk and how these insights can support a more personalized approach to screening and early detection. The panel also examined developments in imaging and diagnostic technologies, alongside molecular profiling and targeted therapies, and their role in helping clinicians understand the disease with greater precision and make treatment decisions tailored to each patient.

Dr. Durra Al Balooshi, Advisor, Community Health Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said, “Scientific progress is giving us a detailed understanding of cancer risk and disease, but this progress needs to bring out better health outcomes for people. As new approaches to risk assessment, screening and diagnosis emerge, our focus is on using these developments to strengthen prevention and early detection programmes and make it easier for people to get screened. Innovation should help us intervene earlier, personalise care where appropriate and give people greater confidence to take proactive steps for their health.”

Dr. Dima Abdul Jabbar, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Burjeel Cancer Institute, highlighted the role of genomic and molecular profiling in enabling more personalized treatment decisions. She said: “Genomic and molecular profiling can help us answer important questions about treatment: what should we treat, how should we treat it, does this patient require chemotherapy, and which treatment is likely to provide the best outcome? Oncology is not one size fits all. Genetics is also only one part of the picture; we need to look at clinical, lifestyle, social and population data to develop a more complete understanding of each patient. As these technologies continue to develop, the goal is to use that information to make treatment increasingly personalised to the individual.”

Dr. Manuelita Mazza, Chair of Breast Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Fatima bint Mubarak Center, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary care in delivering a more personalized breast cancer journey. She said: “Personalized care requires us to bring together the different specialists involved in a patient’s journey—surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, genetic specialists, and radiologists—and look at all of the information we have, including the stage, tumour type, pathology, and genetic information. This allows us to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for that individual patient. The goal is to use the right test at the right point in the journey to guide the right treatment and eventually move towards treatments that can avoid chemotherapy where clinically appropriate.”

Working alongside its partners, ADPHC is organizing a series of activities as part of this year’s “Check What Really Matters” campaign to reach women in their everyday lives, remind them of what matters most – their health – and encourage them to take the step towards early detection. The campaign is also providing free mammogram screenings at a number of locations throughout October.

Campaign activities extend to shopping malls through early detection awareness activations, alongside awareness messages displayed on mirrors in fitting rooms and restrooms, using the moment when a woman checks her appearance to remind her of what matters most: her health, and encourage her to undergo screening.

The campaign is also reaching women at beauty salons, turning moments of self-care into opportunities to remind them to prioritize their health through awareness messages, educational materials, and social media content, alongside incentives for women who take the step to screen. It also includes awareness sessions at selected coffee destinations, where female doctors and specialists will discuss breast health and early detection and answer women’s questions.

The campaign also extends to community and sports events through collaboration with TrainYAS, with a series of activities throughout October bringing together movement, wellbeing, connection, and breast cancer awareness.

Through these activities and the wider “Check What Really Matters” campaign, ADPHC aims to build on the screening momentum achieved last year by continuing to address the factors that may delay preventive action, expanding opportunities to access screening and strengthening confidence in early detection and the advances transforming breast cancer care.

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Leaders from across the global health ecosystem will gather at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 in Abu Dhabi from 20th to 22nd October 2026.

As health systems around the world respond to the growing burden of chronic disease and the need to help people live longer in good health, advances in AI, genomics, diagnostics and health data are creating new opportunities to understand risk earlier and intervene before illness progresses.

Under the theme To Sense is to Predict, the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit will explore how these capabilities can help health systems shift from responding to illness towards predicting risk, preventing disease and preserving health.

Convened by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the summit comes as Abu Dhabi continues to advance an integrated, prevention-led health ecosystem. By bringing together policy, data, genomics, clinical innovation and investment, the emirate provides a real-world environment where new approaches to health can be developed, tested and scaled.

Future Health is already translating this ambition into year-round activity. Its inaugural Future Health Challenge received 393 submissions from 68 countries, while the initiative has published the Future of Longevity and Future of Healthy Living whitepapers, and joined the MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research’s BioConvergence Cancer Alliance as a Founding Member. The summit will build on this work, bringing the Future Health community together in Abu Dhabi to advance further collaboration and implementation.

With 130 forum speakers, more than 175 exhibitors and participation expected from 100 countries, the summit will bring together expertise spanning health systems, science, technology, healthcare, life sciences, policy and investment.

Featured speakers include Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca; Tim Schmid, EVP & Worldwide Chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech; Helga Fogstad, Director of Health, UNICEF; Will Ahmed, Founder & CEO of WHOOP; Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA; Dr Christine Yuan Huang, Founder & CEO of Quantum Life; Max Jaderberg, President of Isomorphic Labs; Dr Ola Brown, Founding Partner of HealthCap Africa; Dr Jayasree Iyer, CEO of Access to Medicine Foundation, and Hugo Harper, Mission Director of a Healthy Life at Nesta.

They will be joined by international ministers and government representatives. The breadth of representation, spanning national health systems and global organisations, reflects the summit’s reach and the depth of experience coming together in Abu Dhabi.

Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said, “Health systems around the world are entering a new era, where advances in science, data and technology are giving us the ability to understand risk earlier and act before illness progresses. In Abu Dhabi, we are bringing together policy, data, genomics, clinical innovation and investment to translate that potential into a more predictive, preventive and personalised model of health. To Sense is to Predict reflects this shift from responding to illness to using deeper insight to protect health and help people live more years in good health.

“The Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit is about turning that ambition into action. By bringing global expertise together with Abu Dhabi’s capabilities and real-world health ecosystem, we can exchange knowledge, test new approaches and build partnerships that move promising ideas towards implementation and scale. Our ambition is not only to advance health in Abu Dhabi, but to contribute practical approaches and solutions that can strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for communities around the world.”

At the core of the event is the forum, which will feature keynotes, C-suite conversations and public-private dialogues exploring To Sense is to Predict across Future Health’s four thematic focus areas: Longevity and Precision Health, Digital Health & AI, Health System Resilience & Sustainability, and Investment in Life Sciences.

The Global Exhibition will provide a curated space for organisations from across healthcare, technology, life sciences and investment to showcase innovations and capabilities shaping the future of health. A programme of Side Events will provide additional opportunities for focused discussion, knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit is the annual flagship gathering of Future Health – A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi, a year-round platform for collaboration, co-creation and transformative health innovation. Launched in 2025 and building on the legacy of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, Future Health advances its mission throughout the year through global dialogues, research, innovation initiatives and funding opportunities designed to move promising ideas from collaboration towards testing, implementation and scale.

Future Health is curated and convened by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and its Founding Partners PureHealth, M42, Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Bio. Mediclinic Middle East serves as Strategic Partner and Burjeel Holdings as Associate Partner.

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SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth and the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, has successfully managed a rare and potentially life-threatening neurological condition at SEHA’s Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Medical City (STMC), demonstrating its advanced capabilities in diagnosing and treating complex brain disorders.

A 38-year-old male had arrived to SEHA STMC’s emergency department after experiencing dizziness, loss of consciousness, and severe pain in his right upper limb. The patient had episodes during sleep involving limb stiffening and frothy secretions from the mouth, each lasting at least two minutes and followed by agitation and disorientation.

Upon admission, the patient underwent specialised brain monitoring and testing, which indicated temporal lobe epilepsy likely secondary to autoimmune limbic encephalitis—a rare form of brain inflammation. The exact cause of the encephalitis remains uncertain. The patient’s medical history includes well-managed diabetes and high blood pressure.

Dr. Ahmed Samir Farw, Neurologist at SEHA’s Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Medical City, said: “This case represents an extraordinary success of early recognition, multidisciplinary teamwork, and treatment. Potentially disabling neurological conditions were identified and managed promptly, enabling the patient to regain full functional stability and quality of life. The rapid recognition and collaborative approach of our care team ultimately saved the patient’s life.”

MRI imaging revealed symmetric cortical thickening and T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in the mesial temporal lobes and limbic system, consistent with limbic encephalitis. Additional MRI findings included isolated, non-specific demyelination in the frontal and anterior temporal subcortical white matter, without diffusion restriction or post-contrast enhancement.

The patient is now medically stable after receiving anti-seizure medications and immunoglobulins, with no further seizures observed. Ongoing testing continues to clarify the inflammatory process. This outcome reflects SEHA’s STMC’s clinical excellence and its commitment to providing rapid, cutting-edge neurological care through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach.

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Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare services provider in the GCC, has brought its four day surgery centers in the UAE together under a dedicated business vertical, establishing a unified structure to support the next phase of growth in ambulatory and same-day care. As part of the move, Mr. Arun Lobo has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pawan Sharma as Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Omer Baldo as Chief Medical Officer of the platform.

In the UAE, Burjeel currently operates Burjeel Day Surgery Center, Al Reem Island; Burjeel Day Surgery Center, Shahama; Burjeel Day Surgery Center, Al Dhafra; and Burjeel Day Surgery Center, Al Dhahir, Al Ain.

The move comes as the Group prepares to expand its day surgery footprint. Its current mid-term plan includes four additional centers in the UAE and two in Saudi Arabia, creating a broader regional platform for ambulatory and same-day care.

Building a Scalable Day Surgery Business

The four centers will operate under common clinical and operational oversight, with unified financial management and clear accountability for quality, patient experience, growth and financial performance. Burjeel’s day surgery model has demonstrated strong demand and operating efficiency in the UAE, with mature centers delivering EBITDA margins among the highest across the Group’s healthcare assets. The new structure is designed to build on this performance through standardized clinical pathways, better capacity utilization, stronger procurement and workforce planning, and greater visibility over costs and profitability.

The model also supports more effective allocation of care across Burjeel’s network. Elective and minimally invasive procedures that do not require an overnight stay can be delivered in dedicated same-day settings, releasing theatre and bed capacity at larger hospitals for complex tertiary and quaternary care. This creates the potential to enhance returns on Burjeel’s existing hospital base while adding a high-margin growth engine of its own.

A Replicable Model for Regional Expansion

The dedicated platform provides Burjeel with a repeatable operating model for future growth, including greenfield development and partnerships in the UAE and selected GCC markets. New centers can operate within a common framework for clinical quality, financial management, and performance measurement while adapting to local demand and specialty requirements. Developed healthcare markets increasingly deliver elective surgery as day cases, and the UAE’s healthcare agenda is moving decisively in the same direction. With one of the country’s largest dedicated day surgery networks and a clear expansion pipeline, Burjeel is investing to bring this model of care closer to patients.

Each center will operate as part of Burjeel’s wider network rather than in isolation, drawing on the Group’s hospitals, clinics and consultant base while maintaining access to tertiary and quaternary facilities for patients who require more advanced care.

The planned day surgery expansion forms part of Burjeel’s broader 18-asset mid-term growth program across multiple healthcare segments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, as the Group continues to build specialized healthcare platforms alongside its hospital network. In Saudi Arabia, each Burjeel One day surgery center requires approximately AED 140 million of capex and is expected to generate over AED 200 million in annual revenue at maturity, with a mid-20s EBITDA margin.

Dedicated Leadership and Accountability

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and CEO of Burjeel Holdings, said: “Day surgery is not simply an extension of the traditional hospital model. It has its own operating dynamics, capital requirements, and growth potential. Our existing centers have given us a strong foundation in the UAE and bringing them together as one business gives us the structure and accountability to scale the model further.

As we plan to expand, this platform will allow us to deliver appropriate procedures in a more focused same-day setting while directing the capabilities of our major hospitals toward increasingly complex care. Arun, Pawan and Omer will bring clear operational, financial and clinical leadership to this next phase of growth.”

As CEO, Mr. Arun Lobo will lead the platform’s strategy, operations, clinical performance and expansion. His appointment expands his responsibilities from his current role as Senior Director – Operations.

As CFO, Mr. Pawan Sharma will oversee financial strategy, planning, governance, performance management and capital allocation. He currently serves as Cluster Finance Manager.

As CMO, Dr. Omer Baldo, currently Consultant, Urology, will lead clinical strategy, medical governance, quality outcomes, patient safety and physician engagement across the platform.

Together, the leadership team will be accountable for growth, profitability, capital efficiency and returns across the platform.

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Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), part of PureHealth, has earned Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), becoming the second hospital in the UAE to achieve the prestigious designation, joining an elite group of 30 healthcare organisations outside the US recognised for nursing excellence.

Widely regarded as the global gold standard for nursing excellence, Magnet Recognition is awarded to healthcare organisations that demonstrate exceptional standards of patient care, nursing leadership, professional practice and innovation. The achievement reflects SSMC’s focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centred care while creating an environment where nurses are empowered to lead, innovate and help shape clinical practice.

The recognition further strengthens SSMC’s position as one of the UAE’s leading providers of serious and complex care and reflects the organisation’s continued investment in quality, workforce development and patient outcomes. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to be a global destination for healthcare by advancing quality, workforce excellence and internationally recognised standards of care.

Dr Marwan Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at SSMC, said: “Achieving Magnet Recognition is a significant milestone that reflects SSMC’s sustained commitment to building a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability across the organisation. It reinforces our position as a provider of world-class healthcare while strengthening our contribution to Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global medical hub. As we look ahead, we remain focused on advancing outcomes, enhancing patient experience, and creating sustainable impact for the communities we serve.”

At SSMC, nurses play an integral role in the hospital’s multidisciplinary model of care, working alongside physicians and allied health professionals to support patients with some of the most serious and complex conditions. The hospital’s nursing workforce comprises more than 1,500 registered nurses representing over 30 nationalities, with 97 per cent of whom hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Zulaikha Al Hosani, Chief Nursing Officer at SSMC, said: “This achievement belongs to every nurse and every team member who contributed to our Magnet journey. Our nurses have demonstrated remarkable resilience, professionalism, and compassion while continuously striving to improve patient outcomes and advance nursing practice. Magnet designation recognises not only what we have achieved, but also the culture of excellence we have built together.”

The SSMC Magnet designation highlights the excellence and professionalism of its nursing workforce, demonstrated through strong performance in clinical practice, education, and research. Many nurses hold specialty certifications and master’s degrees, with ongoing efforts to expand advanced expertise across all units. SSMC nurses continue to advance evidence-based practice, contributing to more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications, while fostering a culture of innovation supported by sustained engagement and unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.

This latest achievement builds on SSMC’s continued focus on clinical excellence, education, research and innovation, while further strengthening its role in delivering trusted, world-class healthcare to patients across Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the wider region.

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Yas Clinic Khalifa City, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), has successfully performed an urgent bone marrow transplant for a two-year-old child diagnosed with Hyper-IgM Syndrome, a rare inherited immune disorder, through the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT®).

The procedure followed a complex treatment journey that required rapid intervention by a multidisciplinary team, careful donor selection and critical clinical decision-making within a limited timeframe, in close coordination with the child’s family.

Kai was diagnosed with Hyper-IgM Syndrome early in life after developing severe and recurrent infections that threatened his health and, at one stage, required admission to the Intensive Care Unit and respiratory support.

He also developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection affecting the blood and lungs, in addition to Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a serious lung infection that can occur in patients with severely weakened immune systems.

Following treatment for these infections, Kai continued to receive monthly immunoglobulin replacement therapy to support his immune system before being referred for bone marrow transplantation to address the underlying immune deficiency.

With Kai continuing to require blood and platelet transfusions and his immune system not recovering sufficiently, he remained vulnerable to serious infections and further complications.

Given his condition, the multidisciplinary team at Yas Clinic Khalifa City and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center determined that an urgent bone marrow transplant was required, with the treatment plan needing to be implemented within a critical timeframe.

Kai’s mother, who was identified as a half-matched, or haploidentical, donor, was selected for the transplant, while the multidisciplinary team worked to stabilize his condition, manage complications and prepare him for the procedure.

The transplant was successfully completed, and the donor cells began to engraft and function. Kai’s condition gradually improved, and he currently shows no signs of active infection. He is clinically stable and preparing to return home with his family.

The case highlights the importance of timely clinical decision-making, multidisciplinary expertise and access to advanced transplantation capabilities when managing highly complex pediatric cases.

Dr. Maysoon Al Karam, Chief Medical Officer at Yas Clinic Khalifa City, said:

“Advanced bone marrow transplantation is not defined by the procedure alone. It requires the expertise, infrastructure and ability to respond rapidly when a patient’s clinical condition changes unexpectedly. Kai’s case demonstrates the strength of the integrated model we have built at Yas Clinic in partnership with Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, where our teams were able to assess his condition, identify a suitable donor and move rapidly toward a life-saving transplant at a stage when every clinical decision was critical.”

She added:

“Through the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program, we bring together specialized clinical expertise with advanced bone marrow and stem cell transplantation capabilities to manage some of the most complex conditions affecting children and adults. Most importantly, these capabilities translate into new treatment possibilities and better outcomes for patients and their families.”

Dr. Mansi, Consultant in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation and Kai’s treating physician, said:

“Kai came to us with a rare inherited immune disorder that had caused serious infections from an early stage of his life and had previously required intensive care. With his immune system unable to recover adequately, an urgent bone marrow transplant became necessary.”

She added:

“His mother was identified as a half-matched donor, and our multidisciplinary teams worked rapidly to prepare him for the procedure. The transplant was successful, the donor cells have begun functioning, and Kai currently has no active infection. He is clinically doing well and preparing to return home, which is a highly meaningful outcome after such a complex treatment journey.”

Hyper-IgM Syndrome is a rare group of inherited immune deficiencies that affect the immune system’s ability to produce a normal antibody response, leaving affected children more vulnerable to recurrent and potentially serious infections.

For eligible patients, bone marrow transplantation can help establish a new donor-derived immune system, addressing the underlying immune deficiency and reducing the risk of severe infections.

Kai’s case also highlights the importance of haploidentical transplantation, which enables a partially matched parent or family member to serve as a donor when a fully matched donor is not available.

The successful transplant reflects the advanced capabilities available through the Abu Dhabi Bone Marrow Transplant Program (AD-BMT®) at Yas Clinic Khalifa City, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, in managing complex adult and pediatric transplant cases, including immune disorders, rare genetic diseases and other high-risk conditions requiring individualized treatment strategies.

By combining Yas Clinic’s multidisciplinary clinical expertise with ADSCC’s advanced capabilities in stem cell science, laboratory medicine and cellular therapies, the partnership provides an integrated treatment pathway extending from diagnosis and donor selection to transplantation and specialized follow-up.

Yas Clinic, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC), continues to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for medical innovation by providing advanced healthcare services and specialized treatment solutions supported by leading medical expertise and cutting-edge technologies, in line with the highest international standards.

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SEHA CLINICS, a PureHealth subsidiary and one of the UAE’s leading primary and specialty care providers, has officially opened two new Disease Prevention and Screening Centres (DPSC) in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, further expanding access to convenient, community-based preventive and screening services across the emirate.

The new centres are located at Mazyad Mall in Abu Dhabi and Al Noud in Al Ain, strengthening SEHA CLINICS’ presence and expanding the availability of visa screening services.

The new centres form part of SEHA CLINICS’ continued network expansion and its commitment to bringing primary, preventive and screening services closer to the communities it serves. The expansion responds to continued population growth and urban development, improving convenience and accessibility while supporting primary and preventive care as an important first point of contact across the emirate.

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PureHealth, has announced plans to strengthen the SEHA CLINICS network across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, adding 22 new and upgraded clinics and mobile healthcare units throughout 2026, expanding access to technology-enabled preventive screening and early disease detection services, while reinforcing the role of primary care as a trusted health partner that accompanies individuals and families throughout every stage of life, delivering continuous care centred around their individual needs.

The roll-out includes the launch of six physical primary healthcare clinics, three visa screening centres and six mobile healthcare units alongside service expansions at five clinics and the reopening of two existing clinics.

The initiative aligns with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s vision, as the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, to build an integrated healthcare system centred on prevention, continuity of care and improved health outcomes, by reinforcing the role of primary care as the essential starting point for the healthcare journey of individuals and families. It also responds directly to Abu Dhabi’s continued population growth and urban expansion by improving access to healthcare services for communities across the emirate, easing pressure on healthcare facilities, strengthening coordination across healthcare specialties, and delivering better long-term health outcomes for all.

The SEHA CLINICS network plays a central role in delivering trusted, accessible care to individuals and families. By scaling up its infrastructure and access to care and aligning services across its Care and Cover model, PureHealth is strengthening prevention, improving coordination and care consistency – delivering long-term value across Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem.

Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said: “We believe that a resilient community is rooted in healthy families, and by expanding local primary care, we are providing the reassurance and support every home needs to flourish. The continued growth of the SEHA CLINICS network strengthens the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi’s vision to champion preventive, family-doctor-led medicine in the emirate. By increasing capacity within local neighbourhoods and growing communities, we are improving early detection, enhancing continuity of care and supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term healthcare transformation.”

In alignment with the UAE’s Year of the Family 2026, SEHA CLINIC’s expanded network brings comprehensive, world-class healthcare directly into the neighbourhoods where families live and work. Several facilities started operations this year and are already serving communities in areas like Al Rowdha, Saadiyat Island and Liwa (Al Dhafra). Additional facilities are set to open in Abu Dhabi by the end of this year, extending the overall network strength.

The mobile healthcare units were designed and delivered by OneHealth, part of PureHealth and its end-to-end healthcare solutions provider, supporting SEHA CLINICS in extending high-quality preventive and primary care beyond traditional clinical settings and closer to communities.

The SEHA CLINICS network is supported by more than 900 doctors across more than 20 specialties, including paediatrics, cardiology and family medicine, integrated within primary care settings to support comprehensive, family-focused, continuous care, that evolves with their changing health needs.

SEHA CLINICS operates 365 days a year, with extended hours and 24-hour coverage in select centres. They are supported by AI-enabled, data-driven diagnostics, including advanced radiology reporting and internationally recognised retinal screening programmes, enhancing clinical accuracy, efficiency and early intervention.

Dr. Khadija Al Marashda, Chief Executive Officer of SEHA CLINICS, said: “Our focus is to ensure high-quality care within reach of the communities we serve. This expansion allows us to respond to growing demand with extended hours, multispecialty expertise and improved patient flow, reducing wait times and enhancing the overall patient experience, while maintaining a strong emphasis on preventive care, clinical excellence and the integration of advanced diagnostics.”

In 2025, SEHA CLINICS delivered 4.1 million outpatient visits, up 14.5 per cent year-on-year, and 1.4 million visa screenings, up 12.5 per cent year-on-year. The network serves more than 2.4 million lives across Abu Dhabi and recorded 54 per cent growth in specialised visits supported by the onboarding of 100 additional physicians. SEHA CLINICS achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70, which is recognised as a strong indicator of high patient satisfaction.

As Abu Dhabi grows, SEHA CLINICS will continue to strengthen preventive care, tailor wellness plans that reflect the community’s evolving needs and advance long-term population health outcomes.

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The fifth edition of the Healthcare Leaders Summit – Abu Dhabi 2026 will take place on September 22–23, hosted by Forbes Middle East, held under the patronage of UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and in partnership with PureHealth. The summit will bring together more than 100 speakers and around 3,000 participants.

Held under the theme “Defining Global Standards in Healthcare Excellence,” the summit will bring together policymakers, healthcare executives, scientists, experts, and specialists from the UAE, the wider region, and around the world to explore the key transformations reshaping the future of healthcare.

The speaker lineup includes H.E. Dr. Amin Hussain Al Ameeri, assistant undersecretary of the health regulation sector at the Ministry of Health and Prevention; Shaista Asif, group CEO of PureHealth; Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, executive director of the health life sciences sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi; Huda Ayas, Associate Dean for International Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University; Dr. Cheng-Kai Kao, Chief Medical Information Officer, University of Chicago Medicine; Professor Shafi Ahmed, Consultant Surgeon Barts Health NHS Trust; and Dr. Usamah (Sam) Mossallam, Vice President & Medical Director, Henry Ford Health International; alongside leading healthcare executives and international experts.

The summit program will be structured around six key themes: “Catalyzing Progress – Advancing Healthcare Excellence”; “Longevity and Precision Health – Redefining Care Beyond Treatment”; “Advancing Population Health – Improving Outcomes for Every Generation”; “Smart Care Ecosystems: Intelligent, Integrated, and Seamless Patient Experiences”; “Scientific Breakthroughs and Global Collaboration – Accelerating Healthcare Innovation”; and “Capital with Purpose – Driving Growth, Value, and Sustainability.”

Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, said: “The fifth edition brings together leading expertise and healthcare leaders from across the sector, creating a platform for dialogue that goes beyond anticipating transformation to exploring how it can be implemented and translated into tangible impact. We look forward to the summit strengthening knowledge exchange and building partnerships that support innovation and advance healthcare outcomes, building on the leading position the UAE has established in this sector.”

The summit will also feature Doctor’s Circle, where CME-accredited sessions by Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a PureHealth entity and flagship hospital in the UAE for serious and complex care, will be offered to attending physicians, providing them with an opportunity to earn continuing education credits while exchanging knowledge and clinical expertise.

Doctors and specialists participating in Doctor’s Circle include Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Jan, consultant and chair of pediatric surgery at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC); Dr. Saeed Husain Almarzooqi, Consultant Hepatologist at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC); Prof. Faisal Abaalkhail, consultant gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre; and Dr. Marian Khatib, chief of the Breast Cancer Center at American Hospital Dubai, alongside physicians and specialists from other local and international institutions.

The summit is held in partnership with PureHealth, with Al Khayyat Investments, APEX Health, and Capital Health as event partners; Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City as the CME accreditation partner; Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation as the supporting partner; and the Emirates Medical Association as the scientific partner.

For more information and registration, please visit the official Healthcare Leaders Summit – Abu Dhabi 2026 website

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Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has begun preparations for the 2026–2027 seasonal flu period earlier this year. The move reflects Abu Dhabi’s data-driven approach to public health, using health data and indicators to better understand changing health patterns and take timely preventive action to protect community health.

As part of these efforts, ADPHC has started offering seasonal flu vaccinations at selected Majalis across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, with particular focus on reaching people who are more likely to experience complications from flu. Starting earlier gives community members more time to get vaccinated and benefit from the protection vaccination provides during the flu season.

This year, ADPHC is also expanding the vaccination options available to the community. For the first time as part of the seasonal flu campaign, a nasal spray flu vaccine is being offered to people for whom this option is suitable, providing an additional and convenient choice alongside the traditional flu vaccine.

Access to vaccination will also expand progressively across the emirate, bringing preventive services closer to where people live, work and spend their time. Vaccinations will be available through healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, shopping malls, Majalis and other community locations, making it easier for more people to protect themselves and their families.

These efforts reflect ADPHC’s prevention-first approach to public health: monitoring health indicators, using data to guide timely preventive action, and giving people practical and accessible ways to take an active role in protecting their health.

Dr Faisal Al Ahbabi, Executive Director of the Communicable Diseases Sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said: “Health data and indicators help us understand changing patterns and support timely preventive action. This year, our vaccination efforts are particularly focused on reaching those who may be more vulnerable to complications, while expanding the options and locations available for vaccination. Our aim is to make prevention simple and accessible, and to give people enough time to get vaccinated and protect themselves and their families.”

Seasonal flu is a common respiratory illness, and most people recover without requiring medical treatment. However, some people are more likely to experience complications, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions and healthcare workers. Timely vaccination can help prevent flu and reduce the likelihood of severe illness and complications.

This year’s efforts build on strong community participation during the 2025–2026 season, when more than 350,000 people across Abu Dhabi received a flu vaccine. Vaccinations were provided through more than 130 healthcare facilities and 11 pharmacies, as well as schools, shopping malls, Majalis, workplaces, embassies and workers’ accommodation.

ADPHC encourages community members to get their seasonal flu vaccine early and make use of the vaccination options available, with particular importance for those more likely to experience complications from flu. Vaccinations are currently available at selected Majalis across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra, with availability expanding progressively across the emirate during September 2026.

People interested in the nasal spray flu vaccine can speak to their healthcare provider to find out whether this option is suitable for them.

For further information on vaccination locations and schedules, please visit the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre website.

The post Guided By Health Data, Abu Dhabi Strengthens Seasonal Flu Prevention With Earlier Intervention, Expanded Vaccination Options And Access appeared first on Abu Dhabi Healthcare Guide.