Latest news with #personalisedmedicine


Zawya
23-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Nabta Health unveils first-of-its-kind center of excellence for tailored women's care
The center represents the future of women's healthcare - where collaboration meets personalisation, and where every woman receives care as unique as she is Dubai, UAE - Nabta Health, the region's leading hybrid healthcare company dedicated to women's health, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking Center of Excellence — the first of its kind in the region. This world-class facility is based at CMC Hospital and will offer integrated, female-focused care across fertility, pregnancy, perinatal support, and menopause. The Center of Excellence recognises that women's health extends far beyond traditional boundaries. The innovative model is built on a multi-specialty collaboration, uniting gynaecologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists, mental health professionals, and other experts under one roof to deliver truly integrated care that reflects the complex and interconnected nature of a woman's health. What sets the center apart is its commitment to age, stage, and goal-specific care, recognising that every stage of a woman's life brings unique health needs. The integrated care teams deliver personalised treatment plans that evolve over time, whether it's supporting a 25-year-old preparing for pregnancy, a 45-year-old navigating perimenopause, or a 65-year-old focused on healthy ageing. From fertility optimisation to menopause management and beyond, we offer comprehensive care that adapts to each woman's individual journey. This holistic approach ensures that conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, cardiovascular disease, and hormonal imbalances are managed in an integrated manner rather than in isolation. By coordinating care across multiple specialties and tailoring interventions to each woman's specific life stage and health goals, the center moves beyond symptom management and empowers women to achieve optimal health and well-being at every stage of life. "For too long, women have been forced to navigate a fragmented healthcare system that treats symptoms in isolation rather than addressing the whole person," said Sophie Smith, Founder and CEO of Nabta Health."Our Clinical Center of Excellence represents a fundamental shift, where collaboration replaces silos, where personalisation trumps one-size-fits-all approaches, and where every woman receives care that honours her unique journey and aspirations." 'This partnership exemplifies our commitment to pioneering healthcare excellence. By combining CMC's world-class facilities and clinical expertise with NABTA's innovative approach to women's health, we're creating a new standard of care that will serve as a model for the region and beyond,' said Mark Adams, CEO at CMC Hospital. Nabta Health's Center of Excellence marks a significant advancement in women's healthcare and reinforces Nabta Health's commitment to innovation and improving health outcomes for women throughout the region. About Nabta Health: Nabta Health is a pioneering women's healthcare company based in Dubai, dedicated to empowering women to take control of their health through accessible, comprehensive, and personalized healthcare solutions. We seamlessly blend the convenience of online healthcare with the expertise of in-person clinics, ensuring women in Dubai receive the best care possible. About CMC Hospital: CMC Hospital is a premier private healthcare institution in the UAE, offering world-class medical services across a broad spectrum of specialties. Affiliated with Clemenceau Medical Center in Beirut and part of the Clemenceau Medicine International network, CMC Hospital combines cutting-edge technology, internationally trained physicians, and patient-centric care to deliver the highest standards of medical excellence. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to clinical innovation, CMC Hospital continues to set benchmarks in healthcare delivery both regionally and globally.


Telegraph
20-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
DNA screening for every baby on the NHS
Every baby will have their DNA mapped under an NHS revolution to predict and prevent disease. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said the advances in genomics would allow people to 'leapfrog' killer illnesses and receive 'personalised' health care. Within a decade, every newborn will undergo whole genome sequencing, which assesses the risk of hundreds of diseases. The advances aim to pave the way for an end to blanket screening and rudimentary health MOTs that simply check for markers like high cholesterol and blood pressure after problems have become entrenched. The move is part of a 10-year health plan, due to be published early next month, which will have personalised medicine at its heart. Mr Streeting said: 'The revolution in medical science means that we can transform the NHS over the coming decade, from a service which diagnoses and treats ill health, to one that predicts and prevents it. 'Genomics presents us with the opportunity to leapfrog disease, so we're in front of it rather than reacting to it. 'With the power of this new technology, patients will be able to receive personalised health care to prevent ill health before symptoms begin, reducing the pressure on NHS services and helping people live longer, healthier lives. 'Our 10-year plan will build on the founding promise of the NHS, so that it provides health care free at the point of risk, not just need.' Plan to avert illness before it happens The plan will set out a long-term strategy to ensure that genomics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are used to forecast and avert illness before it becomes a burden, and to accelerate the delivery of new treatments. Instead of mass screening, patients will increasingly be offered personalised health checks, allowing targeted medicines to be offered earlier, and avoiding adverse drug reactions. It also means that the use of medicines could be transformed so that drugs can increasingly be administered preventively. Experts have long said that curing diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease means identifying them before any symptoms are found. Health officials said the shift would 'help transform the NHS from a reactive healthcare system to a proactive one'. The ambitions, which will be detailed in the 10-year health plan, will be funded by a £650 million boost into genomics as part of the Government's life sciences sector plan. The 10-year health plan – expected to be launched in the first week of July – will set out three major shifts in the way healthcare is delivered: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital and from treating sickness to prevention. It comes after the Chancellor awarded the NHS a record cash injection of £29 billion a year. The plan will include the rollout of 'neighbourhood health teams' to bring together a range of services, with far more use of private companies to deliver care and hospitals able to take over the running of GP services. Attempts to harness technology will include providing smart watches and wearable tech to patients, as well as the rollout of virtual hospitals, allowing patients to directly contact consultants on an 'Uber-style' platform. The shift from sickness to prevention will see a greater emphasis on identifying risks early – such as via genomics – as well as efforts to overhaul lifestyles, and tackle wider determinants of health, such as damp housing. It will also involve a drive to improve poor maternity outcomes, with Mr Streeting meeting dozens of bereaved parents this week and promising action to improve care. He has already vowed to tackle a 'cover-up culture' that has meant those who have suffered at the hands of the NHS have had to fight too long for the truth and for lessons to be learned. Mr Streeting has said embracing a digital revolution will be key to ensuring the survival of the NHS, and lifting pressures on it. Last week he told NHS managers: 'As we deliver the transformational shifts in our 10-year plan, from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, it will have radical implications for services. 'Much of what's done in a hospital today will be done on the high street, over the phone, or through the app in a decade's time.' The rollout of genomic tests is one of the most radical aspects of the plan. Mr Streeting has previously said he has been inspired by Japan, which is examining how to combine genomics and AI machine learning to create personalised MOTs. The NHS has already embarked on plans to screen 100,000 newborn babies for genetic conditions. Currently, new parents are offered a blood spot test for their babies, normally when the child is five days old, to check whether they have any of nine rare but serious conditions. The newborn's heel is pricked to collect a few drops of blood on a card that is sent away to be tested. Whole genome sequencing uses blood samples typically taken from the umbilical cord shortly after birth. Testing for all brings ethical and privacy concerns The national rollout of genomics testing will be welcomed by many scientists, charities, doctors and patients' groups. But it is also likely to trigger an ethical debate. Parents will be able to give consent, but it means their children will end up with information which some may not want to know – and which could change their future. While current programmes focus on rare diseases – and can lead to prompt treatment or prevention of potentially fatal conditions – medical advances mean forecasts are likely to become far more detailed. This could mean children growing up knowing they have a much higher risk than normal of aggressive cancers or Alzheimer's disease. A large study screening 7,000 newborns found 27 cases with the BRCA1 gene. This has become known as the Jolie gene, after actress Angelina Jolie spoke out about finding out she has a gene which increases her chance of breast cancer to 87 per cent. There are also questions about the security of crucial data. Under the current programme, the baby's DNA, health records and contact info are stored in the National Genomic Research Library, on secure UK cloud systems and data centres. Identifying information, such as name and date of birth, is stored separately and encrypted. Access requires strict authorisation. However, such data is extremely valuable to hackers. Genetic testing company 23andMe has recently been fined £2.31 million for failing to properly protect the personal information of UK users from a large-scale cyber attack in 2023.


The Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
New world-first blood test to transform cancer treatment
The NHS in England is rolling out a new blood test (liquid biopsy) for lung cancer patients to speed up access to targeted treatments and avoid unnecessary biopsies, benefiting approximately 15,000 patients annually. The liquid biopsy detects tumour DNA mutations from a blood sample, allowing for faster access to therapies tailored to the genetic profile of the disease; a pilot scheme showed treatment decisions were made 16 days faster compared to tissue biopsies. The NHS will also use the test for breast cancer patients to check for a wider range of genetic variants, potentially benefiting 5,000 women a year, and is exploring its use for other cancers like pancreatic and gallbladder cancer. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, hailed liquid biopsies as ushering in a new era of personalised cancer care, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new testing will "give thousands of people peace of mind". Rebeca Proctor, a stage 4 lung cancer patient, benefited from the liquid biopsy by receiving targeted treatment (brigatinib) after it revealed an ALK genetic mutation, giving her "her life back".


CNA
23-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Systemic sclerosis causes 1 in 2 deaths within 4 years of diagnosis
A S$6 million grant at the Singapore General Hospital will fund a new project for systemic sclerosis patients. The aim is to better diagnosis and personalised treatment for the disease that has poor survival rates, killing one in two Asian patients within four years of diagnosis. Researchers will analyse patients' genes, immune systems, gut bacteria and more over the next five years. Associate Professor Andrea Low, Lead of the Singapore Systemic Sclerosis Precision Medicine Project and Senior Consultant at SGH, explains why Asian patients have poor survival rates with this disease and the factors contributing to it. She also points out how the Singapore Systemic Sclerosis Precision Medicine Project differs from existing programmes treating this disease.


Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Mediclinic expands precision medicine portfolio with gut microbiome wellness package
People can optimise health via advanced genetic sequencing, AI-driven nutrition planning In line with its commitment to advancing personalised healthcare and supporting the UAE's vision for a healthier nation, Mediclinic Middle East, one of the region's leading private healthcare providers, has introduced a direct-to-consumer gut microbiome test package. This innovative new service is designed to help individuals optimise their health and improve well-being through personalised dietary insights. Mediclinic's precision medicine service, delivered through Mediclinic Precise, covers the whole of the UAE. It already features a host of tests including genetic testing for reproductive health, cancer and cardiovascular disease risk, alongside tests for patients with symptoms of genetic disorders as well as those related to the gut microbiome. Genetic testing services are available across all Mediclinic facilities and are serviced by its state-of-the-art laboratories. Personalised approach Gut microbiome testing empowers people to understand the status of their gut health in order to create a personalised approach to improve general well-being. A richer and more diverse gut microbiome can help in lowering risk of chronic diseases as well as providing several other health benefits. The human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of microorganisms in the body, plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. By harnessing the latest scientific advancements, Mediclinic seeks to enable clients to leverage their microbiome to address a range of health conditions, including digestive disorders, immune deficiencies and chronic diseases. Making it more accessible 'Mediclinic's precision medicine service, with testing that happens locally within the UAE, is already providing our patients with fast and accurate information related to their genetic make-up, which empowers them to make informed decisions about their health,' said Dr Jacques Kobersy, chief medical officer at Mediclinic. 'With our new direct-to-consumer gut microbiome testing initiative, we are making this advanced science more accessible to our clients than ever before, representing a significant step forward in personalised medicine.' The new gut microbiome test and follow-up use genetic sequencing and AI-driven meal planning to optimise digestive health, immune function, weight management and more. Available across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain, the package includes virtual and in-person consultations, with seamless pick-up and drop-off services for testing kits. To learn more about Mediclinic's gut microbiome testing, visit or call 800 2033.