Universal Hospital to set up bone marrow transplant programme

Representatives of Universal Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center sign an agreement to establish a BMT Programme.

Universal Hospital, one of the city's leading health care providers, has signed an agreement with Fox Chase Cancer Center of the United States of America in order to establish a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Programme. The BMT Programme will aim to provide medical services to local and GCC residents. Universal Hospital also looking forward to establishing exchange programmes, teaching hospitals and customised physician observership programmes at Fox Chase's affiliated hospitals in the US in the near future.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Historically, the UAE has had a much lower incidence of cancer than western countries, however, over the last 40 years, the dramatic economic, social and demographic changes here has resulted in increased cancer incidences, which is now the third leading cause of death (after cardiovascular disease and injury). In the year 2010 alone, 10 per cent of all deaths in the UAE were recorded due to cancer. The incidence of all cancers is estimated to double by 2020, primarily due to the increased risk factors for breast cancer (the most prevalent cancer in Emirati female), lung cancer (the most prevalent cancer in Emirati male), colorectal cancer (prevalent in both sexes), etc. Further, the rates of leukemia and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are among the top five types of cancers among Emirati males. Sadly though, bone marrow transplantation and advanced cancer treatment is not widely available in the UAE. Universal Hospital intends to fill this gap by establishing a dedicated Abu Dhabi Centre with Fox Chase which would strive towards early detection and prevention programmes, radiation oncology establishment, clinical trials operations, oncological nursing, etc, in the UAE.
Fox Chase Cancer Center is a non-profit Corporation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Its purpose is to facilitate the dissemination of advanced knowledge of cancer research and treatment.
 

• Abu Dhabi