Collaboration will develop complex-care hospital into international medical destination

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the largest healthcare network in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mayo Clinic, a not-for-profit global leader in medical care, education and research, have announced a joint venture to operate Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, one of the United Arab Emirates’ largest hospitals for patients with serious or complex medical conditions. As part of the agreement, Mayo Clinic will become a shareholder in the new operating company, marking a new type of partnership by an international health care provider in the UAE.

SEHA's and Mayo Clinic's clinical and management teams are working together to open Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, a 741-licensed bed hospital designed to provide specialty care across a range of clinical practices, setting new benchmarks for medical care and experience in the UAE. The collaborators have a common goal to be the preferred destination for patients needing serious or complex care in Abu Dhabi, with a plan to transition Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City into a premier destination for medical care in the Middle East over the next decade.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Salem Rashid Al Noaimi, Chairman of SEHA and Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO, Mayo Clinic.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video, including clips from Dr. Farrugia and B-roll of both campuses, is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please add, "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network."

"The nation's founding fathers and wise leadership set in motion a vision to deliver world-class health care for the people of the Emirates. Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi strives to provide UAE nationals and residents with renowned healthcare services that match international benchmarks, in line with the Abu Dhabi Vision. This has meant significant investment over the years and the development of substantial health care services across the country." says His Excellency Abdulla Bin Mohamed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi.

"This partnership between SEHA and Mayo Clinic is a major development for Abu Dhabi's and the UAE's health care system, setting new benchmarks and delivering the advanced and specialist services the community deserves. Investments like this are establishing Abu Dhabi as a global destination for health care, in line with the Department of Health’s vision to bring the world’s standards in healthcare to Abu Dhabi."

"This is a collaboration and a unique partnership in the region, with Mayo Clinic physicians, nurses, administrators and others working side by side with colleagues from SEHA," says Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO, Mayo Clinic. "Mayo Clinic's humanitarian mission and values are the foundation of our international strategy, which includes sharing and extending our culture, clinical knowledge and health care delivery expertise to help meet the needs of patients wherever they are. We look forward to transforming Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City into the premier destination for medical care in the region.”

The announcement follows a period of collaboration in which Mayo Clinic and SEHA teams developed a plan to activate 24 specialty clinics. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City opened and began accepting patients earlier this month and is expected to be in full operation, including all inpatient departments, in early 2020 as Mayo Clinic builds a growing physical presence there.

H.E. Salem Rashid Al Noaimi, Chairman of SEHA says, "The Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is an exceptional facility designed to provide world-class specialist care. Our pioneering new venture with Mayo Clinic will see us joining forces around a shared set of values, a common approach and a focus on delivering the incomparable level of health care Mayo Clinic is famous for around the world, here in Abu Dhabi. This long-term collaboration is a key part of our vision for advanced health care in the Emirates. With significant inward investment and knowledge transfer to further drive the advancement of the sector, the partnership builds on our reputation for exceptional care, but is also a major boost for the Emirates' health care industry, delivering on Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030 and SEHA’s commitment to the community. Our partnership with Mayo Clinic will also allow the SEHA network to benefit from access to Mayo Clinic’s vast experience, cutting-edge practice and research, and clinical and non-clinical processes and pathways."

"From our roots when Drs. Will and Charlie Mayo traveled the globe, Mayo Clinic has a legacy as an international organization that learns from others and shares knowledge and expertise to benefit patients," adds G. Anton Decker, MBBCh, president, Mayo Clinic International. "This collaboration allows us to extend our reach and to collaborate with colleagues from Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City to provide hope and healing for those who need it most."

As the flagship in SEHA's health care portfolio, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City creates a pathway for further innovation and development of life sciences in the Emirates. The venture will enable UAE national medical practitioners to benefit from new learning opportunities by partnering with Mayo's world-renowned specialists, helping create job opportunities across a range of fields for local talent.

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City reflects SEHA’s and Mayo Clinic's shared commitment to clinical excellence and an unparalleled patient experience. The multispecialty, state-of-the-art hospital will be staffed by 2,240 caregivers, including more than 440 internationally trained physicians. The facility covers 300,000 square meters, or more than 3.2 million square feet. Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City is distinguished in the UAE by its specialized services and advanced diagnostics, as well as the specialized procedures offered, including procedures for the arteries, burns and shock, chest and lungs, orthopedics and reconstructive surgeries.

As a national and regional center of excellence, the new facility also will use the latest health care technologies, including robotic surgery, providing precise, less-invasive techniques with the goal of achieving better patient outcomes. The investment in innovative medical technology is complemented by a new medical research center, in line with SEHA's position as the main clinical research and teaching center in the UAE. This center is designed to promote comprehensive, interdisciplinary learning and treat the most complex medical cases.

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Mayo Clinic is ranked the No. 1 hospital in the United States by U.S. News & World Report and in the world by Newsweek. It is the world's first and largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice. Physicians from every medical specialty work together to care for patients. They are joined by the philosophy that the needs of the patient come first.

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About SEHA
The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC–SEHA – is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public health care system in Abu Dhabi. The company owns and operates all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. SEHA is committed to continuous improvement of customer care to recognized international standards and providing the community with world-class health care. SEHA operates 12 hospitals with 2,644 beds, more than 60 ambulatory care, family care and urgent care centers and two blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 100,000 inpatients annually and conduct 41,000 surgeries, as well as treating more than 5 million outpatients. SEHA is one of the largest integrated health care providers in the Middle East, with more than 18,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care and administrative personnel. Learn more about SEHA.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news and An Inside Look at Mayo Clinic for more information about Mayo.

Media Contacts:

• Amer Aidi, Group Marketing and Communications Director, SEHA, 9712410 2000, aaidi@seha.ae
• Sharon Theimer, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu   

Additional resources for journalists:

High resolution of leaders at SSMC announcement (l to r) Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., Mayo Clinic president and CEO; H.H. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; H.E. Salem Rashid Al Noaimi, chairman of SEHA

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