Dubai Health Authority Approves Yas Healthcare to Build UAE's First Proton Therapy Centre
The facility, slated to begin construction in early 2026 and open by late 2028, marks a major step forward in the country's fight against cancer.
The Yas Proton Therapy Centre will introduce one of the most advanced forms of cancer treatment to the region. Proton therapy delivers highly targeted radiation to tumours, significantly reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision makes it particularly effective for paediatric cancers and tumours near vital organs. 'This centre will offer world-class, patient-focused care, reinforcing Dubai's position as a hub for advanced medical innovation,'
said Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of DHA. He highlighted the project's alignment with Dubai's long-term health strategies, including the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031.
Developed in collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), a leader in oncology, the project will benefit from global clinical and technical expertise. NCCS will serve as the project consultant throughout the design and implementation phases.
Dr. Mohamad Zaki of Yas Healthcare emphasized the growing need for such treatment, citing rising cancer rates and the advantages of proton therapy in reducing long-term side effects.
Once operational, the centre will eliminate the need for regional patients to travel abroad for this specialised care, supporting Dubai's medical tourism goals and improving access to cutting-edge cancer treatment across the GCC.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hi Dubai
25-07-2025
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Health Scientists Publish First Arab Pangenome Reference, Advancing Precision Medicine in the Region
Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the academic and research arm of Dubai Health, have published the first-ever Arab Pangenome Reference. The landmark study, featured in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications , sets a new benchmark for precision medicine and personalised healthcare in the region. The breakthrough aligns with the UAE's National Genome Strategy, a 10-year plan launched by the Emirates Genome Council in 2023 to enhance preventive and precision-based care using genomic science. The Arab Pangenome Reference is a foundational contribution to this vision. Built using high-quality DNA sequencing data from 53 individuals of diverse Arab descent residing in the UAE, the reference fills a critical gap in global genetic databases, which have long underrepresented Arab populations. The research uncovered over 110 million base pairs of novel DNA sequences and identified nearly 9 million small genetic variants, along with over 235,000 large structural differences unique to Arab genomes. These findings are significant not just for the region, but for the global scientific community, said Prof. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority and co-author of the study. We are enabling more precise and equitable healthcare by building a genome reference that reflects our population. One of the study's key discoveries includes the identification of a duplicated gene, TAF11L5, which was found to be highly enriched in Arab individuals but absent in current global references. This gene may influence the activity of other genes, with potential implications for disease risk and treatment response. The research was conducted entirely in-house at MBRU's Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG). This integration allowed us to control the full research pipeline—from sequencing to bioinformatics—ensuring top-tier quality, said Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Acting Provost at MBRU and co-author of the study. As part of the initiative, the team also developed a new open-source bioinformatics tool called PanScan, which facilitates the detection of gene duplications and complex DNA structures. The tool is now publicly accessible on GitHub, enabling scientists worldwide to benefit from the work. Dr. Mohammed Uddin, Director of CATG and senior author of the study, noted: This pangenome reference is a major step in understanding Arab genetic diversity. It will be a critical asset for both research and clinical diagnostics. The study not only enhances the scientific understanding of Arab genomics but also reinforces Dubai Health's long-term commitment to world-class research and innovation in healthcare. MBRU's research strategy continues to contribute meaningful data to international scientific efforts, while ensuring local populations are represented in global health advancements. The full study can be accessed at Nature Communications. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Economy ME
24-07-2025
- Economy ME
MBRU scientists publish first Arab Pangenome Reference in major genomic breakthrough
Scientists at the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the academic and research arm of Dubai Health , have achieved a major milestone in global genomic science with the publication of the first Arab Pangenome Reference. Featured in Nature Communications , a leading peer-reviewed journal, the study marks a pivotal advancement in precision medicine and personalized healthcare for Arab populations. The landmark achievement supports the UAE's National Genome Strategy, a 10-year initiative launched in 2023 by the Emirates Genome Council. The strategy aims to transform healthcare in the UAE through cutting-edge genomic research focused on personalized, preventive, and precision medicine. The Arab Pangenome Reference was created using high-quality DNA sequencing from 53 individuals of diverse Arab heritage residing in the UAE. Conducted at MBRU's state-of-the-art Center for Applied and Translational Genomics (CATG), the research identified more than 110 million base pairs of novel DNA sequences. Additionally, it uncovered nearly 9 million small genetic variations and over 235,000 large structural differences unique to Arab populations — none of which had been previously reported in global DNA references. Read: Sheikh Hamdan awards golden visas to nurses with 15+ years of service at Dubai Health Leadership insights Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali , director general, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), and co-author of the study, said: 'This achievement strengthens the UAE's position in genomic science. By building a reference that reflects the genetic diversity of Arab populations, we are enabling more precise and equitable healthcare. It's a foundational step towards realising the goals of our National Genome Strategy and ensuring that future medical innovations are shaped by data from our own communities.' Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, acting Provost of MBRU, and co-author of the study said: 'The capabilities of the CATG lab were central to the success of this project. From genetic sequencing to advanced bioinformatics, every stage of the research was completed in-house. This level of integration gave us full control over quality and timelines, reflecting Dubai Health's commitment to building world-class infrastructure and fostering national scientific leaders.' Dr. Mohammed Uddin, director of CATG and associate professor of Genetics at MBRU, and senior author of the study, said: 'This pangenome reference marks a major advancement in our understanding of Arab genomic diversity. It serves as a critical resource for both research discovery and clinical genome diagnostics, with lasting impact for future generations across the region.' Professor Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, director general, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Addressing gaps in global genomic databases Historically, global genomic databases have significantly underrepresented Arab populations, limiting the accuracy of genetic risk assessment and treatment strategies for these communities. The Arab Pangenome Reference fills a critical gap by introducing high-resolution genomic data from a population long absent in international references. One particularly notable finding from the study was the discovery of the duplicated gene TAF11L5, which is highly enriched among Arab individuals but missing in existing global genomic references. Researchers believe this gene could influence the regulation of other genes and may hold important insights into disease risk and variations in treatment response. Enabling precision healthcare in the Arab World The Arab Pangenome Reference provides a foundational tool for national and regional precision medicine initiatives. It enables the development of population-specific biomarkers, disease risk models, and targeted therapies — advancing the region's ability to deliver more accurate, personalized healthcare solutions. Alongside the genomic map, the research team also introduced a new bioinformatics tool called PanScan. Designed to support more complex analysis of human pangenomes, PanScan helps researchers detect gene duplications, novel DNA variants, and complex genomic structures. Though not the main focus of the study, the tool has been made freely available on GitHub, offering global researchers access to further investigate human genomic diversity. The strategy aims to transform healthcare in the UAE through cutting-edge genomic research focused on personalized, preventive, and precision medicine A strategic step toward global representation Genomic research has progressed rapidly in recent decades, but much of the foundational data has come from a limited range of populations, creating blind spots in medical understanding. The Arab Pangenome Reference contributes to a growing international effort to correct this imbalance and promote global inclusivity in genomic science. The initiative also reflects Dubai Health's long-term commitment to research and innovation through MBRU. By investing in foundational studies such as this, Dubai Health is ensuring that Arab populations are actively represented in the future of genomics and precision healthcare. This groundbreaking research not only elevates the UAE's position in global genomic science but also lays the groundwork for more equitable, effective, and personalized healthcare systems across the Arab World.
Al Etihad
21-07-2025
- Al Etihad
Dubai Health Authority welcomes 20 global health leaders
21 July 2025 14:33 DUBAI (WAM)The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has welcomed a delegation of 20 senior healthcare leaders from various countries around the world, as part of its participation in the International Programme for Health programme is organised by the Government Experience Exchange Office (GEEO), under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, to exchange global best practices in healthcare and strengthen institutional knowledge delegation was introduced to Dubai's pioneering experience in advancing the healthcare sector and the significant achievements made in sustainability and the quality of care, reflecting the emirate's elevated global standing in public health and quality of life the meeting, DHA teams presented key aspects of the institutional transformation currently underway within Dubai's healthcare system, along with the emirate's health sector strategy. The session also covered the public health protection framework and the mechanisms for prevention and epidemic response.A detailed presentation was delivered outlining the authority's efforts to promote community health, strengthen preventive readiness, and ensure the integration of legislative and regulatory infrastructure in this teams also showcased the healthcare regulatory frameworks adopted in Dubai, along with the advanced standards and policies that reflect the authority's strategic approach and future vision for regulating healthcare professions and facilities across the emirate. The presentation further highlighted the integrated health insurance system and the sustainable financing mechanisms that contribute to the continuity and financial efficiency of healthcare meeting also featured a specialised presentation on the findings of Dubai's Household Health Survey, emphasising the critical role of accurate data in supporting decision-making and enhancing planning based on scientific research and analytical delegation also undertook a field visit to the Dubai Health Authority's Crisis and Disaster Management Centre, where they received a detailed briefing on the emirate's emergency health management session highlighted DHA's efforts to ensure maximum responsiveness during crises and disasters, as well as the centre's advanced capabilities. Director-General of DHA, Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, affirmed that the rapid progress in Dubai's healthcare sector has played a key role in reinforcing the emirate's position as a global leader in quality of life and healthcare.
