Latest news with #KingsCollegeHospital
Syyaha
4 days ago
- Health
- Syyaha
Healthtrip launches Healinharam.com to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a global medical and wellness tourism hub
Riyadh: 2nd June 2025: Healthtrip, the world's largest health travel platform, has launched a dedicated digital platform that connects international tourists, particularly pilgrims, to a trusted network of medical, wellness, and chronic care servicesacross Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. The initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to establish itself as a global hub for medical and wellness tourism, in line with Vision 2030. It also responds to increasing demand for high-quality care services during pilgrimage as the Kingdom continues to rapidly scale its healthcare infrastructure and wellness offerings. 'Muslims around the world spend over $20 billion on medical tourism, and a majority of these patients also travel to the holy cities for pilgrimage. With the recent launches of world-class hospitals and wellness retreats in Saudi Arabia, we recognized the increasing demand for quality care during pilgrimage seasons. This inspired the creation of Heal in Haram – a dedicated platform enabling customers to heal their bodies and souls, during a pilgrimage trip.' said Obaidullah Junaid, CEO, Healthtrip (Riyadh HQ). Through pilgrims can now book health screenings, wellness therapies, and essential treatments such as dialysis,chemotherapy, etc, at leading Saudi hospitals including Saudi German Hospital, Kings College Hospital, Fakeeh, Care Medical Makkah, Wellcare Medical by IMC, and Makkah Medical Center by Dallah – all through one integrated app. Dr. Ahmed Shebl, Group CEO of Saudi German Health, said, 'At the Saudi German group, we're very well placed to serve international patients and pilgrims, through our hospitals across the Holy Cities and Jeddah. In addition, we manage medical facilities in Mina and Arafa during Hajj to serve pilgrims from across the world. Recently, we became the first Saudi hospital to get the TEMOS accreditation for serving international patients. We've already started getting international patients through Healthtrip and are excited to partner with them in the Heal In Haram initiative '. According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Saudi Arabia recorded 1.83 million Hajj pilgrims in 2024, with nearly 88% arriving from abroad, and a 31% surge during the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023. Claire Smith, CEO, Kings College Hospital Jeddah, said, 'At Kings College Hospital, we are inspired with the opportunity of global tourists coming to the Kingdom. Our hospital in Jeddah brings the latest technology and top global talent together, offering patients world-class healthcare near the Holy Cities. We're excited to partner with Healthtrip and offer our executive health checkup and other treatments to pilgrims through Heal in Haram.' Danish Ahmed – Founder, Healthtrip said, 'The unprecedented growth in tourism is coming along with remarkable globalization of the Kingdom's healthcare landscape, making it an oasis of healing in the MENA region. addresses a real need for structured access to quality healthcare during pilgrimage. Additionally, there is a unique opportunity to promote Prophetic Medicine in wellness offerings, especially along the Kingdom's pristine coastlines and tranquil mountains. World-class retreats are also being developed in Medina – the city of tranquility – which is bound to attract thousands of wellness seekers from around the world. These developments created a compelling need for a dedicated platform to showcase the Kingdom's healthcare offerings to our global customer base. Since its inception, Healthtrip has served over 70,000 international patients from 42 countries, through a global network of 1,500+ accredited healthcare providers. With 6,800 channel partners and extensive experience in medical concierge services, the company offers tailored solutions in medical tourism, cosmetic care, wellness programs, and chronic condition management. With in-house health travel technology and tech-first approach – including multilingual AI chatbots and integrated scheduling tools, the comprehensive system ensures a seamless, end-to-end patient journey – from initial consultation and appointment booking to travel logistics, on-site support, and post-treatment follow-ups – all while upholding the highest standards of safety, dignity, and patient-centered care. Healthtrip plays a vital role in promoting premier healthcare destinations such as Saudi Arabia, helping to expand access to high-quality medical care while reducing travel barriers and enhancing patient trust.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
A UAE first: One donor liver, two lives saved in groundbreaking split liver transplant at King's College Hospital Dubai
The hospital pioneers the nation's first split liver transplant, saving both an infant and an adult patient In a groundbreaking achievement, King's College Hospital London in Dubai has successfully performed the UAE's first split liver transplant, using a single donor liver to save the lives of two patients - a six-month-old baby and an adult. This highly complex, life-saving procedure marks a major milestone in the advancement of transplant surgery in the region. The cadaveric liver was divided in a highly specialised process known as in-situ splitting, allowing for two separate liver transplants to take place simultaneously in two operating theatres. One third of the liver was transplanted into a six-month-old infant, weighing only 6 kilograms, suffering from biliary atresia, while the remaining two-thirds was successfully transplanted into an adult patient diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. "This is unique because this was the first time a liver was divided and shared between an adult and a pediatric patient in the UAE," said Professor Mohamed Rela, director of King's College Hospital Dubai liver transplant centre of excellence, liver surgeon and transplantation. "The donor operation itself is very complicated, because the liver has to be divided during the donor retrieval, and the technique is called 'in-situ splitting' two transplants have to take place at the same time in two operating theatres with two teams of surgeons. Both patients are doing really well, off the ventilator and are not in a critical state any longer." The pediatric patient was referred to King's at five months of age with jaundice that had developed during the second week of life. The condition had progressed rapidly, and the child's liver was failing. The split liver transplant was successfully performed at six months of age, and the infant is now stable with normalising liver function tests. Dr Rajeev Tomar, consultant pediatrician and director of the pediatric liver transplant programme at King's College Hospital London in Dubai, stated: "This was a very delicate case involving a young baby whose condition was deteriorating rapidly. The success of the surgery and the positive recovery are a testament to the expertise of our transplant team and the integrated approach we take between pediatric and adult care." Leading the adult transplant team, Dr Kaiser Raja, consultant hepatologist and director of the adult liver transplant programme at King's, added: "Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive and serious liver disease with no cure except liver transplantation. By successfully performing a split liver transplant and using one organ for two recipients, we've not only made transplant surgery more efficient, but have also proven that it's possible to expand access to lifesaving treatment in the UAE." The success of this case reinforces King's College Hospital's position as a regional leader in liver transplantation, combining internationally renowned expertise with local innovation. The hospital's Liver Transplant Centre of Excellence is one of the few in the region equipped to perform such advanced procedures with a fully integrated multidisciplinary team. "We are proud to have achieved this milestone in the UAE," added Professor Rela. "This is not only a triumph for medical science but also a symbol of what is possible when world-class care and collaboration come together." King's College Hospital Dubai extends its deepest gratitude to the donor family, who made this life-saving procedure possible. The hospital also acknowledges the vital support of the Hayat National Programme for Organ Donation and Transplantation and the National Center for Organ Donation and Transplantation, whose coordination and commitment continue to transform lives across the UAE.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Autistic teen with needle phobia helped to go abroad by NHS
A teenager who is autistic and has learning difficulties has been given the ability to travel abroad for the first time, by a unique collaboration by NHS teams in London. Terence Panzu-Lema, who is 19 and from Wandsworth, south-west London, has extreme needle phobia, and had been unable to get the vaccines needed to visit family in the Democratic Republic of mother, Chantal Panzu, suggested that the injections could be given while her son was under general anaesthetic for routine dental NHS agreed, and specialist teams from King's College Hospital and University College London Hospital came together to administer the yellow fever, rabies and typhoid vaccines. "When we received the request from Terence's mum, who has always been very proactive in advocating for her son, we wanted to try and make it work," said Charlotte Curl, the consultant in special care dentistry at King's. She explained how it involved co-ordinating "many members" of a number of teams from the two different hospitals to come this unique collaboration Ms Curl said it "enabled both the dental care and the vaccines to be delivered consecutively while Terence was anaesthetised".Ms Panzu said: "(Terence) was due to have six filings under general anaesthetic, so it seemed like a good opportunity to get his travel vaccines at the same time".She added: "Everyone we encountered on this journey, both from King's and UCLH, has been amazing. I can't thank them enough for enabling Terence to be able enjoy his first family holiday."Sneha Baljekar, lead clinical nurse specialist for travel health at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases at UCLH added: "It was wonderful to support Terence and Chantal with this journey. "The whole team is delighted that we were able to provide this service for Terence and reassurance for his family to be able to travel safely in future."
Gulf Today
19-04-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
UAE healthcare sector sees massive advancement
The UAE's healthcare sector has reinforced its leading position since the beginning of the year through a series of rare surgical procedures and the adoption of innovative treatments for critical illnesses, underscoring the high calibre of medical expertise across various specialties. The UAE has transformed its healthcare system into a globally advanced model by investing in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, therapeutic robots, and 3D printing to enhance the quality and sustainability of care. Kings College Hospital London Dubai announced on Thursday the city's first liver transplant on a 13-month-old child, with the support of Al Jalila Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health. The child was born with a rare condition known as biliary atresia, which caused his health to deteriorate despite an earlier surgical procedure to connect his liver to his intestines. He was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect). He was referred to King's College Hospital in Dubai by Al Jalila Children's Hospital, following the cardiac repair procedure. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performed the world's first remotely conducted transcontinental robotic-assisted focal therapy for prostate cancer. Focal therapy is a non-invasive treatment that precisely targets a specific section of the prostate using ultrasound beams, eliminating the need for major surgery or radiation. The Focal-One system enhances this approach with a robotic arm that ensures precise and controlled ultrasound delivery. In January, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also announced the UAE's first simultaneous robotic kidney transplant procedure for a donor and recipient using one robot. Corniche Hospital has successfully performed a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for egg collection and freezing, a cutting-edge technique representing a significant leap forward in reproductive medicine. The UAE's medical sector has also seen significant progress in implementing new and innovative treatments this year. In January, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre reported promising results in treating Type 1 diabetes using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) therapy. The Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled two innovative projects – an 'Artificial Heart Transplantation' and 'Pancreatic Cell Transplantation' at Arab Health 2025 in January. In April, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi completed a groundbreaking clinical trial in Abu Dhabi. WAM
Zawya
18-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
UAE healthcare sector advances with rare surgeries, innovative treatments
ABU DHABI - The UAE's healthcare sector has reinforced its leading position since the beginning of the year through a series of rare surgical procedures and the adoption of innovative treatments for critical illnesses, underscoring the high calibre of medical expertise across various specialties. The UAE has transformed its healthcare system into a globally advanced model by investing in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, therapeutic robots, and 3D printing to enhance the quality and sustainability of care. Kings College Hospital London Dubai announced on Thursday the city's first liver transplant on a 13-month-old child, with the support of Al Jalila Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health. The child was born with a rare condition known as biliary atresia, which caused his health to deteriorate despite an earlier surgical procedure to connect his liver to his intestines. He was also diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect). He was referred to King's College Hospital in Dubai by Al Jalila Children's Hospital, following the cardiac repair procedure. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi performed the world's first remotely conducted transcontinental robotic-assisted focal therapy for prostate cancer. Focal therapy is a non-invasive treatment that precisely targets a specific section of the prostate using ultrasound beams, eliminating the need for major surgery or radiation. The Focal-One system enhances this approach with a robotic arm that ensures precise and controlled ultrasound delivery. In January, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also announced the UAE's first simultaneous robotic kidney transplant procedure for a donor and recipient using one robot. Corniche Hospital has successfully performed a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure for egg collection and freezing, a cutting-edge technique representing a significant leap forward in reproductive medicine. The UAE's medical sector has also seen significant progress in implementing new and innovative treatments this year. In January, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre reported promising results in treating Type 1 diabetes using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) therapy. The Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled two innovative projects – an 'Artificial Heart Transplantation' and 'Pancreatic Cell Transplantation' at Arab Health 2025 in January. In April, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi completed a groundbreaking clinical trial in Abu Dhabi. StromaForte has shown a favourable safety profile and significant therapeutic potential for knee osteoarthritis, marking a significant step in evaluating cell-based therapies for degenerative joint diseases. M42, a leading global health technology company powered by AI, is set to build a heavy ion therapy facility at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, bringing one of the most advanced and effective cancer treatment technologies to the Middle East. During Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week 2025, which concluded on Thursday, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi also unveiled initiatives and new technologies to improve cancer patient care, including an innovative remote monitoring programme using the 'BioButton' wearable device, for cancer patients at the Fatima Bint Mubarak Centre.
