A dedicated Abu Dhabi cancer centre has carried out more than 25,000 treatments since opening to the public two years ago under a vision to transform health care in the Emirates.
Health leaders at the Fatima bint Mubarak Centre, based at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, have told of their mission to "lead the future of oncology" from the UAE capital.
Patients at the centre, which is modelled on Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Centre in the US, receive personalised care for all forms of cancer from individual teams comprised of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, radiation therapists, nurses and rehabilitation specialists.
“Gone are the days when a patient needs to go from place to place, everything they need is here,” said Dr Stephen Grobmyer, head of the Fatima bint Mubarak Centre, which opened in March 2023.
Don't delay in seeking support
But doctors say the public must also play their part to win the fight against cancer, by ensuring they do not delay in going for check-ups.
“We need people to understand that a delay in diagnosis is often a missed opportunity,” said Dr Fady Geara, chairman of radiation oncology. “We are seeing patients who wait weeks or months before seeking help and, by the time they arrive, their window for a cure may already be closing.”
The critical need for early intervention was highlighted in recent research, which indicated a 60 per cent rise in newly diagnosed cases between 2019 an 2023.
The series paper, titled Cancer Control in the United Arab Emirates, co-written by leading UAE-based oncologists and global experts, called for an urgent and comprehensive national strategy to address rising cases, inequities in care and preventive services not being used enough.
“We’re urging people to get screened, especially those with family histories or known risk factors,” Dr Geara said. “The hardship of travelling abroad for care is no longer necessary. World-class treatment is available right here.”
World-class care
Dr Usman Ahmad, chairman of thoracic surgery, who leads the institute’s robotic and minimally invasive surgery programme, agreed patients no longer having to travel abroad for treatment was a huge advantage.
“Robotic surgery allows us to operate through small keyhole incisions with exceptional precision and safety," he added. "The result is less pain, fewer complications and much faster recovery times.”
The programme includes surgery for lung, oesophageal, stomach, prostate, kidney, bladder and gynaecological cancer.
“Our patients start walking the same day or the next, go home in a few days and recover fast enough to begin follow-up therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy without delay,” said Dr Ahmad.
Radiation oncology has also undergone major advancements under Dr Geara.
“We’ve brought in the most advanced technologies, including adaptive radiation therapy, brachytherapy and radio surgery,” he said. “These methods reduce treatment sessions while improving cure rates and they’re all now available right here in the UAE.”
Brachytherapy, which involves using radiation directly on or near a tumour, is rarely found even in some major hospitals abroad. It is now carried out daily at the centre.
Dr Geara said the institute had also begun work on a dedicated heavy ion therapy complex, a carbon-ion therapy considered among the most advanced in the world, capable of targeting tumours that cannot be treated through conventional means. Construction of the heavy ion centre is expected to take two to three years.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s cancer programme extends far beyond treatment. Under the leadership of Dr Fawad Khan, the longevity medicine section has introduced a pioneering preventive care programme for cancer survivors and those at high genetic risk of developing the disease.
This includes comprehensive genetic screening, counselling and prevention strategies, from enhanced screening and medication to preventive surgery. The longevity medicine team comprises lifestyle physicians, physical therapists, genetic counsellors, naturopaths and psychologists.
A major element of the programme is its use of precision genomics. “We’re conducting germ line, somatic and pharmacogenomic testing to guide treatment, prevent cancer and minimise side effects,” said Dr Khan.
They collaborate closely with the Emirati Genome Programme and M42, allowing access to data crucial to bolstering care and mitigating health risks.
One study now under way involves the use of polygenic risk scores to better identify breast cancer risks in Emirati women.
“This research has largely focused on western populations,” Dr Khan said. “By focusing on Arab populations, we can greatly improve regional outcomes and design tailored prevention programmes.”
Clinical trials are another growing sector. “Trials are how new treatments come into the world,” said Dr Grobmyer. “It’s no longer enough to assume treatments tested abroad will work here. We need to prove they do with local data and regional representation.”
A newly launched programme uses wearable BioButton sensors to track vital signs in real time once a patient leaves the hospital. Nurses can detect early signs of infection, dehydration, or other complications and intervene before symptoms worsen.
“The technology allows us to call patients before they call us,” said Dr Grobmyer. “In many cases, we’ve been able to prevent hospital readmissions entirely.”
He said the programme is already being used in chemotherapy patients and is expected to expand across surgical units.
Long-term strategy
The institute is also preparing the next generation of physicians. Next year, it will launch a four-year residency in oncology, accredited by the UAE board.
Preference will be given to Emirati candidates, with the goal of building a sustainable domestic workforce in cancer care.
“Our long-term goal is not just to be takers of global excellence but contributors to it,” said Dr Grobmyer. “Through clinical research, genomics, AI and training, we want to lead the future of oncology here in Abu Dhabi and around the world.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
