Through screenings and educational sessions, the hospitals under Burjeel Holdings are spreading breast cancer awareness in different Emirates throughout October

Abu Dhabi: In an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote early detection, the hospitals and medical centers under Burjeel Holdings have started offering complimentary screenings and educational sessions across the UAE. The facilities are observing World Breast Cancer Awareness Month through an eye-catching campaign called ‘Pink Burjeel’, which aims to reach women over 40 years old or in the high-risk category, making screenings more convenient and accessible.

As a part of the campaign, a mobile screening unit has started traveling across the length and breadth of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain during the month, making stops in various locations to offer complimentary breast cancer screenings. The clinicians traveling in the ‘mammogram truck’ also provide essential education on breast cancer to women, emphasizing the significance of self-examinations and the importance of mammograms. Throughout the month, the truck also offers complimentary breast cancer screenings for women across locations, including Deerfields Mall, Al Hudayriat Island, and Umm Al Emirat Park.

The facilities under Burjeel Holdings are also collaborating with several corporates and government entities to lead several awareness sessions by medical experts at offices and educational institutions this month. These entities include Abu Dhabi Police, ADCC, ADNOC Offshore WTC, NECC, Slb Limited, Daman, Yas Holding, Abu Dhabi Indian School, Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel, General Pension and Social Security Authority, TAQA, EWEC, AWQAF, Bhavan’s School (Musaffah), and EFIA School.

Dr. Nehad Abdul Razzaq Kazim Al Bastaki, Consultant in Diagnostic and Interventional Breast Radiology at Burjeel Medical City, emphasized the importance of regular screenings. “Early detection is the key to successfully treating breast cancer. Mammograms are a safe and effective way to detect abnormalities in breast tissue before they become life-threatening. We encourage all eligible women to take advantage of these complimentary screenings during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are thankful to the Department of Health and Ministry of Health for helping us make this campaign possible,” he said.

Understanding Breast Cancer

According to Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, Consultant and Director of Oncology Services, Burjeel Holdings, Breast cancer which forms in the cells of the breast, is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Breast lump or thickening, a change in size, shape or appearance of a breast, and abnormal nipple discharge are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Upon noticing these symptoms, it is important to swiftly seek medical attention. Though breast cancer can manifest at any age, it predominantly affects women aged 40 and older.

According to doctors, early detection through regular screenings can significantly improve survival rates. Mammograms, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, biopsy, and clinical examinations are used to detect abnormalities that may indicate the presence of cancer.

Breast cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer in the UAE. Several risk factors contribute to the development of breast cancer, including age, genetic mutations, familial history of breast and ovarian cancer, excessive weight or obesity, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, it is crucial for women of all ages to be vigilant and proactive in their breast health.

Patients can walk in on the same day without prior appointments

To prioritize the comfort and privacy of women patients, Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Medical City has launched an exclusive breast cancer unit with all-female medical experts. The women-led unit has a dedicated medical team led by world-class doctors to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. The Advanced Breast Cancer Unit has been established by the hospital to supplement the efforts of the country’s health sector to ensure early detection of breast cancer, which increases the recovery rate by more than 95%.

Another highlight of the unit is that patients can walk in on the same day without prior appointments to get check-ups. This facility has been arranged to ensure a seamless patient experience and provide a stress-free environment for patients, especially those diagnosed with cancer, making the journey to wellness a quicker process.-ADVERTISEMENT-javascript:falseAds by 

The unit’s offerings

The Advanced Breast Cancer Unit’s offerings include medical consultation services, including examination and diagnosis by female oncology specialists and diagnostic services like x-rays and mammograms and interventional x-rays for all types of biopsies in cases where breast cancer is suspected. The unit also offers surgical services including tumor removal and reconstruction surgery. Other highlights include a specialized tissue department to analyze and study samples from patients using cutting-edge techniques, and a specialized department for radiation therapy to treat patients with breast cancer who require radiation therapy sessions. All of these specialized services are provided by women medical experts with international expertise.

Professor Humaid Al Shamsi, Director of Oncology Services at Burjeel Hospitals, said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the country, and requires rapid evaluation of suspected cases to enhance the chances of treatment and complete recovery. We have established this unit intending to help patients relieve the anxiety associated with a breast cancer diagnosis. Sometimes the hesitation to book an appointment may contribute to the delay in seeking medical advice, which can impede early diagnosis. Therefore, we have decided to receive patients without the need to book appointments in advance.”

Making patients feel at ease

According to Dr. Nihad Abdul Razzaq Al Bastaki, Consultant in Diagnostic and Interventional Breast Radiology at Burjeel Medical City, the exclusive unit for women by women may help allay the apprehensions of some patients. “Some patients may be embarrassed to come to the hospital and undergo a breast examination. A special unit for women like this one may help them overcome such feelings of embarrassment. In the early stages, the cancerous lesion is so small that it cannot be seen, noticed, or felt. Therefore, a periodic breast cancer examination is an important preventive step that can detect the presence of cancer before any symptoms appear.”

According to Dr. Frea Ramzi Perdawood Consultant Oncoplastic & Reconstructive Breast surgeon at Burjeel Medical City, this is a great step towards prioritizing the needs of our patients and respecting their sensibilities.

“It is natural for a woman to feel more comfortable opening to a female doctor regarding ailments like breast cancer. Establishing this all-women unit is a step in the direction of addressing the unique needs of women. As women medical practitioners, we are proud to leverage our collective expertise to serve our patients better and ensure women get the care they deserve”.

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Abu Dhabi: Timely action by security guards at a hospital in Abu Dhabi helped save the life of a young Emirati woman, who fell unconscious at the car park, after suffering, what doctors later diagnosed as a cardiac arrest due to pulmonary embolism or blood clots in her lungs.

Faizal Khan, Security Officer at Burjeel Hospital, told Gulf News that the hospital’s security guards found the woman unconscious and unresponsive.

“Suddenly, I got a message from the walkie-talkie that a patient had collapsed close by. We immediately contacted the control room operator to declare Code Magenta,” he said.

Rapid Response Alert

Moments after Code Magenta –  Rapid Response Alert –  was sounded in the hospital, the ER staff rushed to the scene with essential life-saving equipment.

Mary Joy, Emergency Nurse, said, “We ran outside with triage nurses and took the stretcher with us. We found the patient unresponsive and lying in the car park. We put her on the stretcher and moved her quickly.”

As it turns out, the young patient, F. Al Hosani,  had lost consciousness after suffering a pulmonary embolism. The efforts of Burjeel Hospital’s security guards, emergency room (ER) staff and a team of doctors ended up savingher life.

The woman was wheeled into the resuscitation room where a team of emergency medicine professionals swung into action.

Resusciation for 10 minutes

According to Dr. Wissam Al Sahli, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, advanced cardiac life support measures had to be initiated and after the patient was resuscitated for 10 minutes, she was stabilised. But her condition remained critical.

Dr. Wissam said, “We rushed the patient for an emergency coronary angiogram to check if it was a heart attack because that would need to be fixed as soon as possible. It revealed everything was within normal limits.”

But even after resuscitating her, the medical team was struggling to maintain her blood pressure and her oxygen saturation, both of which were extremely low.

When suspicions arose about a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in her lungs, Al Hosani was taken for an emergency CT scan of the lungs.

Dr. Mohamed Almarzooqi, Consultant Interventional Neuroradiology, Interventional Radiology & HOD, said time was a critical factor. “The CT scan of her lungs showed multiple pulmonary emboli (clots) in the lungs, which were affecting the oxygenation of the body, her blood pressure and putting a huge strain on the heart. The team was also on standby to aspirate the blood clot,” he recalled.

Emergency huddle

After a quick emergency huddle, the team decided to administer clot-busting medication to dissolve the embolism. Within a couple of hours, the patient’s vital signs gradually improved. Al Hosani was on artificial ventilation as she was unable to breathe by herself. The following day, once the vitals stabilised, the team was able to wean her off the ventilator and she regained consciousness. She soon recovered and was discharged home five days later.

According to the medical team, which also included Dr. Nehad Nabil Abdelmoneim Halawa, Specialist Intensive Care & HOD, and Dr. Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ibrahim, Specialist Emergency Medicine, the patient was resuscitated on time and was lucky to receive timely medical attention. “She will require further follow-up to make sure there is no other clotting disturbance, which is a risk factor after pulmonary embolism,” said Dr. Wissam.

Al Hosani says she only remembers coming to the hospital as she was not feeling too well that morning. After that, everything went blank.

“I am grateful to the Almighty to be alive. I was not feeling well but I did not expect it to lead to such a serious condition. I am thankful to the entire team at Burjeel Hospital,” she said.

What is pulmonary embolism?

Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage in the pulmonary arteries, the blood vessels that send blood to the lungs. It usually happens when a blood clot in the deep veins in the leg breaks off and travels to the lungs. Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or fainting due to drop in blood pressure.

According to Dr. Wissam, pulmonary embolism can be caused due to a variety of factors including a recent surgery, reduced mobility related to travel whether by air or car, or consumption of hormonal pills.

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She had experienced excruciating abdominal pain from the initial stages of her pregnancy but dismissed it as the physical strain of carrying a baby

Rania Fuad Alsheikh was 26 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Enduring severe abdominal pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite among other health issues, she chose to undergo chemotherapy, giving herself and her unborn a fighting chance. Today, cradling her newborn in her arms, the Jordanian expat stands as an epitome of resilience, optimism and hope. She had experienced excruciating abdominal pain from the initial stages of her pregnancy but dismissed it as the physical strain of carrying a baby. But as her pain intensified, she sought medical help at a healthcare facility. However, she was told that pain was a regular part of pregnancy. As the weeks progressed, her condition deteriorated, leaving her weak, bedridden, and anxious for answers.

“When I learned I was going to be a mother for the second time, I was thrilled. But as my pregnancy progressed, I began to suffer from severe pain and heaviness in my stomach. By the sixth month of pregnancy, I developed fatigue due to which I couldn’t get up from the bed and had a lack of hunger. By then I was feeling incapacitated with pain and vomiting and was rushed to the emergency room at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi,” Rania said. At the hospital, Dr Fady Georges Hachem, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, insisted on doing more investigative tests to determine what was causing pain. It was then that Rania was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. While the diagnosis was an unexpected setback, the expectant mother displayed great courage and relied on her faith to overcome this tough situation.

“I thanked the Almighty because we finally knew what was causing the pain. Even though I did not expect a cancer diagnosis, I did not feel sad as I believe everything that comes from God is good. All I wanted was for my baby to be healthy,” Rania recalled.

Skilled medical experts intervene

Dr Mohanad Diab, consultant, medical oncology, who was asked to consult on the patient, recollected her being bedridden and too weak to talk when he first met her in April. The biopsies revealed an aggressive form of colon cancer called mucinous adenocarcinoma. While the patient was in poor shape, further tests showed the baby’s condition to be unstable. Realising the urgency of the situation, an interdisciplinary team at the hospital comprising Dr Diab, Dr Hachem, Dr Hameed Raina, a specialist gastroenterologist, and hepatologist, and Dr Toufic Ata, consultant laparoscopic bariatric and general surgery, came up with a comprehensive treatment to safeguard the health of both mother and baby.

“We had two options in front of us. The first was to not administer chemotherapy because she was pregnant. But her condition was so poor that if we chose this, she was at risk of dying in a matter of days. Trying chemotherapy on the pregnant patient was the other option,” said Dr Diab. The team set up a tumour board discussion at the hospital to determine how similar cases of pregnant women with chemotherapy at 26 weeks of gestation were treated.

Chemotherapy during pregnancy

“While she was 26 weeks pregnant, we started treatment with the chemotherapy regimen to improve outcomes for both the mother and baby. Miraculously, three days after the chemotherapy, the patient was able to stand up. Prior to administering treatment, she was unable to eat a morsel of food. But after the chemo, she was able to eat normally,” said Dr Diab, adding that she was discharged one week after the first chemotherapy session. She continued to have weekly medical appointments during which the team monitored her and the baby till delivery. Rania was filled with gratitude when she recalled how her mother, sisters and husband supported her during that vulnerable period. As the pain diminished and her energy levels increased, Rania carried on with her regular activities and spent time with her family, including her four-year-old son Mohammed. The support of her family and the treatment gave her hope in those trying times. On June 8, in the 35th week of her pregnancy, Rania had completed five chemotherapy sessions and underwent a caesarean section, bringing her baby boy into the world.

“It was an emotional moment for all of us in the operating room when we took the baby out and placed him in Rania’s arms. The sight of the healthy baby boy weighing 2.32 kg gave us joy and relief. I commend her brave decision to undergo chemotherapy during pregnancy, which undoubtedly gave her and her baby the best chance,” Dr Hachem noted.

Looking to the future with hope

Rania, who is over the moon after the birth of little Fahed, is filled with hope for the future.

“I thank the Almighty and cherish each moment I get to spend with my little one. I am grateful to Dr Hachem and Dr Diab, who were compassionate human beings. I also thank Dr Hameed and Dr Toufic for boosting my confidence and helping me in my treatment,” said Rania, who also wrote a thank you note on the hospital’s wall. As words of caution for expectant mothers, she added: “If you feel any pain during pregnancy, you must consult doctors because you are responsible not only for yourself but also the soul inside you.” Dr Diab underlined that as Rania recuperates from the delivery and continues her cancer treatment, her story serves as an inspiration for others.

“It is extremely rare to be diagnosed with cancer when pregnant and more so to undergo chemotherapy and give birth to a healthy baby. Rania’s courage and resilience are an inspiration. By continuing the chemotherapy regimen, I am confident she will make a speedy recovery,” Dr Diab pointed out.

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ABU DHABI: A baby with spina bifida has been delivered in Abu Dhabi after undergoing spinal correction surgery while still in the womb. A team of doctors successfully performed spinal correction surgery on an unborn child of a Colombian couple earlier in June. Baby Maryam was delivered in August by a team of doctors at Burjeel Medical Center. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when bones forming the spine do not develop leading to the spinal cord being left exposed to the amniotic fluid resulting in a permanent disability. The procedure was led by Dr. Mandeep Singh, consultant in maternal and fetal medicine at Burjeel Medical City. Singh said “if this procedure had not been carried out then the baby’s life would have been drastically different. She would have most likely needed a shunt in her brain – which is a tube that is inserted to drain excess fluid that builds up around the brain. The baby could have also had complete loss of bladder control and even no functionality in the legs.” Although this condition is not a new phenomenon, for the first time in the region, a procedure to correct the spine was performed prior to birth. 
“The whole procedure was difficult. The main thing we had to ensure was that the woman did not go into labor. If she had gone into labor then the procedure would have failed. Thankfully, she did not go into labor and the procedure went smoothly,” added Singh. If left untreated, spina bifida can have life altering impacts on a child’s life. The medical team is optimistic about her future. Her bladder is functioning and her legs have normal tone and movements.  “Thankfully, baby Maryam does not need a shunt and as per our monitoring there is movement in her legs. Although it is too early to tell how much strength her muscles will have, she will remain under intense monitoring until she is 3 years old and will likely undergo physiotherapy,” he added. Mother Valentina Rodriguez and father Jason Gutierrez have left back to their home in Colombia along with their newborn daughter. “This case was handed over to a medical team in Colombia who will monitor Maryam. However, our team will remain in close contact with them until she is around 12-15-years-old,” he explained. The couple was overjoyed with the arrival of their daughter and thanked the medical team for their support during this period. “Our princess Maryam is the best present that we could have ever gotten. God has blessed us with the perfect gift. We are extremely grateful to the UAE, Burjeel Holdings and the team for taking care of us and helping us during this difficult time. “We fully understand that Maryam will need medical attention for the next few years, but we will do whatever we can to support her. We are very thankful to everyone for blessing our daughter,” said Valentina. The couple previously told Arab News they were shocked when they found out their baby was diagnosed with spina bifida. “As time went by and no real solution came about, by miracle we heard about a center in Abu Dhabi which was able to perform the surgery immediately and at no cost to us,” the mother told Arab News. Dr Mandeep assured any other parents who are in similar positions to know there are solutions for this condition. “You don’t have to wait for the baby to be born to undergo any procedures. Medicine has developed significantly and at our center we are able to provide you with the support you need to help treat this condition” said Singh.

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ABU DHABI, 21st August, 2023 (WAM) — The Make a Wish Foundation – UAE, in collaboration with Burjeel Medical City in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, the flagship institution of Burjeel Holdings, has successfully granted the wishes of two recently-recovered children who underwent bone marrow transplant surgeries.

The children, 7-year-old Zulaykha Rasool, who suffered from thalassemia, and 7-year-old Mohammed Hashir, who suffered from iron deficiency anaemia, were gifted an iPhone 14 and a two-seater electric car, respectively.

The announcement came at an event organised by Burjeel Medical City at its headquarters in Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, where gifts were distributed, cakes were handed out, and commemorative photos were taken in the presence of the children’s families and the hospital’s medical and administrative staff.

The initiative underscores the foundation’s commitment to bringing joy to the children by fulfilling their aspirations of owning a smartphone and an electric car, as well as igniting a spark of hope in their hearts after enduring battles with illness.

Hani Alzubaidi, CEO of the Foundation, said, “We are pleased to intensify our efforts to fulfil the dreams of these children, who have completed their treatments after their semi-permanent stays for blood transfusions, so we were keen to create a special celebration that will provide them and their families with unforgettable moments.”

Al Alzubaidi expressed his gratitude to the management of Burjeel Medical City for their exceptional care for patients, stressing that the acts of kindness continues to inspire the community with love, setting a commendable example of selflessness and generosity.

Naser Al Riyami, Chief Operations Officer at Burjeel Medical City, said, “We are always pleased to collaborate with the Make a Wish Foundation to make our young patients’ wishes come true. These humane gestures have a profound impact on the children, instilling hope and joy in their lives while also providing moral support throughout their healing journey.”

Dr. Zainul Aabideen, Head of the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation at Burjeel Medical City, said, “At Burjeel Medical City, we take pride in offering rare treatments to children with blood disorders and cancers. We are the sole providers of paediatric bone marrow transplants in the country. This stems from our belief in supporting challenging cases where a bone marrow transplant is the sole treatment option, as is the case with thalassemia and blood cancers in children.”

“This treatment ensures their recovery and ends their arduous suffering and the suffering of their families. Currently, we have successfully performed bone marrow transplants for 30 children, and our efforts continue to save more young lives, and we play a crucial role in raising awareness in the community about early diagnosis and recognising disease symptoms,” he added.

The families of the two children expressed their gratitude to the foundation and everyone involved in bringing happiness to their lives and granting them unforgettable memories.

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Simple infections are becoming harder to treat with antibiotics, putting more strain on health services

Drug-resistant bacteria are becoming a real day-to-day challenge for frontline medics, who said more patients are being admitted to hospital with common infections. Due to rapid population growth and significant increases in migration, the Arabian Gulf has become particularly vulnerable to anti microbial resistance (AMR), one of the major threats to health care worldwide. Overuse of antibiotics and inappropriate prescriptions to treat some infections are causing problems for hospitals. Jumana Yousef Megdadi, Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee, Burjeel Hospitals. In the UAE, doctors said oral drugs once used to treat common urinary infections or stomach problems are becoming less effective, forcing patients into hospitals to receive more powerful antibiotics via intravenous drip.

That adds further risk of infections, longer patient recovery times and medical expense.

“It is not rare that we come across patients resistant to most antibiotics,” said Dr Niyas Khalid, Burjeel Medical City, a doctor of 17 years.

“A recent 63-year-old with a urinary tract infection was resistant to everything.

“We had to use a higher grade antibiotic, aztreonam, but he was also resistant to that so we had to deliver an antibiotic via an IV drip on a much higher dose.

“It was hard for him to tolerate, but it was the only way to get rid of the infection.

“AMR is real and it is happening now, in most of the hospitals around.”

It is a particular problem in healthcare settings, because resistant bacteria can spread via patient contact, among staff or through contaminated surfaces and medical devices.

Stronger drugs

Higher-grade antibiotics are typically more expensive, and can have worse side effects. When a patient does not tolerate antibiotics or they are resistant, it leaves doctors with fewer options to treat their condition. While antimicrobials are essential to modern life, their inappropriate use has allowed the microbial world to adapt. Bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics and antivirals. According to the UN, AMR was directly and indirectly responsible for an estimated five million deaths in 2019. By 2050, the number of annual preventable deaths from AMR is expected to double, and rival the numbers of people who died from cancer, which was about 10 million in 2020. Low and middle-income nations are more at risk, with poverty, poor sanitation and hygiene and pollution increasing infections that could be harder to treat in the years ahead due to AMR. If a patient has been exposed to lots of antibiotics after frequent infections, they are more likely to be resistant. Incomplete treatments, or inconsistent use can also transform the bacteria to make it resistant. Bronchitis is a common complaint this summer, with humid dusty weather conditions increasing the number of people requiring treatment for respiratory problems. Antibiotics should not always be the first response, said Trilok Chand, consultant and head of the department of respiratory medicine at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

“Antimicrobial resistance is the new challenge for physicians, and the population in general,” Dr Chand said.

“Antibiotics should only be prescribed on strong suspicion of a bacterial infection or there is a sputum culture that has revealed an infection.

“We discourage the use of antibiotics in viral or allergic bronchitis, as it is unnecessarily exposing the patient to antimicrobial resistance.”

National strategy

In the UAE, a strategic AMR national plan was established in 2019 with collaboration between healthcare, food, animal and environment sectors to combat the issue. Since then, attention in hospitals has shifted towards better infection prevention and control measures, and tighter surveillance of antimicrobial prescriptions. One of those involved is Jumana Yousef Megdadi, an infectious diseases clinical pharmacist and chairwoman of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee at Burjeel.

“We are communicating with physicians to use fewer of these kinds of antibiotics in the hospital because it is causing resistance,” she said.

“They have become resistant to other micro organisms, so we want to decrease their use.

“Sometimes it is not necessary and they are being overused, prescribed to treat a virus.

“It is huge problem worldwide and not just in our hospital.

“We are seeing more and more resistance that will decrease the number of antibiotics that can be used.

“If a broad-spectrum antibiotic becomes resistant, it leaves doctors with few other options.”

When doctors are faced with a drug-resistant infection, a combination of antibiotics are often used. This in itself brings added risk, because an immunocompromised patient is delivered stronger drugs that can damage liver enzymes, impair renal function or lead to electrolyte imbalance. In sepsis, the body’s extreme response to infection, failing drugs can lead to organ failure and even death. Patients in long-term care are more likely to suffer the affects of AMR, because bacteria can become resistant to all antibiotics.

New drugs

Typically, it can take up to 20 years to develop a new antibiotic medication from scratch.

By adding molecules to existing medications, drug compounds can be modified as a temporary measure, but new drugs are needed. Like many pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer is focusing on research to bring new drugs to market to increase the arsenal of bug-fighting medication.

“We are actively engaged and committed to a multi-faced and evidence-based approach to stewardship, to ensure responsible use of anti-infectives across local healthcare settings,” said Parmjot Bains, Pfizer Gulf Cluster country manager.

“These efforts include health system strengthening, surveillance, infection prevention, including vaccination, policy advocacy, innovative tools, diagnostics, education, research, health equity and patient engagement.

“Governments, industry and the public health community must work together to take action and support measures to enable continued innovation in the development of new antibiotics and to tackle antimicrobial resistance.”

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It will enable surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with unprecedented precision and efficiency, elevating the standard of patient care.

Abu Dhabi: Burjeel Medical City, the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, has introduced the state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi robotic system to its arsenal of advanced medical technology. The da Vinci Xi robot will enable Burjeel Medical City’s expert surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with unprecedented precision and efficiency, elevating the standard of patient care.

The unveiling of the da Vinci Xi robot at Burjeel Medical City marks a significant milestone in the hospital’s commitment to providing world-class healthcare services to its patients. This advanced robotic surgical system offers numerous advantages over conventional surgery, including increased surgical precision, enhanced visualization, and shorter recovery times.

Equipped with immersive 3D high-definition visualization technology, the da Vinci Xi robot presents surgeons with a highly detailed, magnified view of the surgical site. This enhanced visual clarity allows for superior precision during procedures, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

The innovative robotic arms of the da Vinci Xi robot mimic the motion of a surgeon’s hand but with enhanced agility and a more excellent range of motion, allowing for exceptional anatomical access to surgical operating sites that are virtually impossible to reach using the traditional “straight-stick” laparoscopic surgical instruments.

Surgeons operate the robot remotely from a console, manipulating the robotic arms with exceptional control and precision. In addition, the robot’s advanced surgical instruments, including specialized endo-wrist devices, enable surgeons to perform intricate maneuvers with unmatched accuracy.

With the introduction of the da Vinci Xi robotic system, Burjeel Medical City is poised to offer patients a wide range of minimally invasive procedures, including complex surgeries across various specialties such as urology, gynecology, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, thoracic, bariatric, hepatobiliary and general surgery, among others.

Dr. Jafaru Abu, Director of Robotic Surgery at the hospital, who also performed many robotic-assisted surgeries in the UK before joining BMC, expressed his excitement about introducing the da Vinci Xi robotic system to the hospital, stating, “We are proud to offer da Vinci robot-assisted surgery to many of our patients. This cutting-edge technology will enable our highly skilled surgeons to provide even better patient clinical outcomes. By reducing trauma, and overall recovery time, it will truly transform the field of surgery at Burjeel Medical City.”

Burjeel Medical City has well-trained da Vinci-certified Western-board certified surgeons who have performed many robot-assisted surgical procedures across the globe before joining the hospital.

“The introduction of da Vinci Xi robotic system underscores our commitment to constantly evolving and adopting the latest medical technologies. With the integration of this new technology, we aim to reinforce our position as a leading healthcare institution at the forefront of medical innovation, providing patients with access to world-class, minimally invasive surgical procedures,” said Mr. John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 4 August 2023: Burjeel Holdings PLC (“Burjeel” or “the Group”), a leading Healthcare Services Provider in the UAE and MENA listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (“ADX”) (SYMBOL: BURJEEL; ISIN: AEE01119B224), today announced its financial results in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the three-month and six-month period ended 30 June 2023.

Half-Year Highlights

Promising opportunities pave the way for robust growth trajectory and positive outlook

Burjeel Holdings continues to deliver on its clear growth strategy of elevating utilization and patient yield while investing in expansion opportunities across MENA. In line with its preferred capex-lite approach to network expansion, Burjeel recently agreed to operate and manage Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) largest healthcare facility in the Al Dhafra region, Al Dhannah Hospital.  

The contract to operate the 122-bed hospital will also create incremental opportunities for Burjeel’s broader network, particularly Burjeel Medical City, in the event Al Dhannah patients require more complex treatments outside of the scope of its services. The agreement will commence in early Q4.

The Group also put the final touches on the first of its PhysioTherabia clinics in KSA – the joint-venture network of sports medicine and rehabilitation centers established with KSA-listed Leejam Sports Company JSC. PhysioTherabia expects to open 60+ clinics over the next 24 months, leveraging Leejam’s network of prime-location fitness centers and loyal member base.
 
Looking ahead, Burjeel Holdings remains well-positioned to capitalize on a robust pipeline of growth opportunities in the MENA region, with several capex-lite opportunities under advanced discussion.

John Sunil, Chief Executive Officer of Burjeel Holdings, said:

“Burjeel Holdings has performed remarkably well in the first half of 2023, achieving robust top-line and bottom-line growth while making significant strides in operational and strategic advancements. Group half-year revenue increased by 13.9% while net profit was up 47.0% y-o-y. Burjeel Medical City, our flagship facility, continues to deliver remarkable growth, registering an impressive 34.5% revenue increase driven by substantial growth in inpatient and outpatient footfall.

“During this period, our expansion plan gained substantial traction, preparing our first centers for opening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of our partnership with Leejam, a strategic move that reinforces our regional presence. We added more world-class talent to our teams and I’m proud that we secured an operations and maintenance contract with Al Dhannah Hospital, a key piece of infrastructure in an industrial hub of the UAE.

“Our future growth will encompass further strategic geographic expansion, additional strategic alliances in the field of transformative and complex medical care and continuous enhancement of our state-of-the-art infrastructure. As a premier referral hub in the region, our expanding portfolio of services and focus on identifying unique opportunities in healthcare will be key drivers for our future growth.

“We’re also pleased to have confirmed our first interim dividend payment, with an intention to return approximately 95 million dirhams to shareholders in August 2023.”

Robust revenue growth drives significant bottom line improvement

Burjeel Holdings delivered robust growth in H1 2023, with revenue reaching AED 2.2 billion, a 13.9% y-o-y increase. This increase was attributable to an 11.2% rise in total patient footfall, with more than 2.9 million patients seen in the half-year period. This saw inpatient bed occupancy increase to 59% in H1 2023, with significant headroom remaining to further ramp-up key growth assets.

EBITDA increased by 12.7% year-on-year to AED 467 million in H1 2023. Burjeel Holdings maintained a steady EBITDA margin of 21.6%.

Net profit in H1 2023 saw impressive year-on-year growth of 47.0% to AED 225 million, due to a combination of higher revenues, increased operational efficiencies and lower finance costs stemming from ongoing debt reduction.

The Group remains focused on increasing the proportion of high-yielding complex care and complex surgeries in its overall service mix, delivering a significant impact on the Group’s topline and medium-term margin expansion. Burjeel continues to increase and broaden the mix of complex surgeries performed.

Key segments deliver strong margin expansion

The Hospitals segment remains the primary contributor to the Group’s revenue, comprising 88.7% of total Group revenue for the period, consistent with the previous year.

Revenue and EBITDA in the Hospital segment increased by 14.2% and 23.6% respectively, driven by higher patient footfall, and the Group’s continued focus on advanced specialty services. EBITDA margin in the Hospitals segment witnessed notable improvement from 20.6% in H1 2022 to 22.3% in H1 2023.

EBITDA in the Medical Centers segment rose by 24.5%, outpacing revenue growth of 13.7%. EBITDA margin increased from 25.6% in H1 2022 to 28.1% in H1 2023.

Burjeel Medical City (BMC) continues to be a significant growth enabler with a focus on high-potential complex care services

In H1 2023, Burjeel’s flagship hospital asset, BMC, achieved robust growth, witnessing a 34.5% increase in revenue to AED 475 million. The hospital recorded an impressive 70.9% growth in total patient footfall during the same period. Inpatient bed occupancy grew from 29.7% in H1 2022 to 43.5% in H1 2023, with outpatient capacity utilization rising from 31.8% to 38.9% over the same period.

Cementing key international partnerships and expanding complex services

Burjeel Holdings forged several partnerships during H1 2023. The Group partnered with Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York State, to launch a highly advanced Neuroscience Institute in Abu Dhabi.

Burjeel Holdings also partnered with BridgeBio Pharma, Inc., a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on genetic diseases and cancers, for early diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases or disorders in the region.

The Group also launched the Advanced Gynecology Institute at BMC, which offers advanced and comprehensive care including gynecological surgeries, minimally invasive procedures, and complex gynecology care for a wide range of conditions, including menorrhagia, fibroids, and benign ovarian masses.

These strategic alliances fortify Burjeel Holdings’ pursuit of medical excellence, while also helping to elevate the Burjeel brand in international medical communities.

Strong balance sheet enables future growth

The Group’s Net Debt / Pre-IFRS 16 EBITDA decreased from 1.5x as of 31 December 2022 to 1.2x as of 30 June 2023. The strength of the group’s balance sheet provides adequate financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities going forward. The Group’s share capital was AED 521 million as at H1 2023.

In H1 2023, the Group achieved a remarkable 212.7% growth in Cash Flow from Operating Activities, propelled by substantial EBITDA growth and optimization of working capital. Additionally, H1 2023 Free Cash Flow (FCF) Conversion¹ increased to 50%, up from 33% in the prior year.

Debut interim dividend confirmed

In line with our dividend policy, we aim to pay cash dividends from 2023 onwards, on the expected basis of a pay-out ratio of 40% to 70% of net profit, dependent on investment requirements for additional growth plans.

Burjeel Holdings’ Board of Directors have recommended a pay out of ~AED 95 million or ~AED 0.02 per ordinary share as the debut interim dividend for H1 2023. This represents 42% of net profit for H1 2023. The record date for dividend is set for 13 August 2023 and the payable date is up to 1 September 2023.

Positive on outlook and long-term value creation

Burjeel Holdings maintains a positive outlook underpinned by its differentiated business model, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and strategy to increase asset utilization and patient yield. With significant scope to ramp up its existing assets, and the addition of an expected c. 80 specialty beds across existing facilities,

Burjeel is uniquely positioned to deliver growth with a limited requirement for additional capital expenditure. The Group continues to explore O&M and acquisition opportunities in the MENA region.

Detailed guidance

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
(Q2 2023 = Three-month period to 30 June 2023)
(H1 2023 = Six-month period to 30 June 2023)

AED millions	Q2 2023	Q2 2022	% Change	H1 2023	H1 2022	% Change
Revenue	1,077	926	16.3%	2,162	1,898	13.9%
Total OPEX ex. D&A3	(860)	(729)	17.9%	(1,708)	(1,494)	14.3%
EBITDA4	225	201	12.0%	467	414	12.7%
EBITDA Margin %	20.9%	21.7%	(0.8pp)	21.6%	21.8%	(0.2pp)
Net Profit for the Period	103	68	51.4%	225	153	47.0%
Net Profit Margin %	9.6%	7.4%	2.2pp	10.4%	8.1%	2.3pp

Conference call information

Date: Friday, 4 August 2023
Time: 3:00 pm Gulf Standard Time (GST)
Please find the details of the conference call below.

Webcast Link

United Kingdom (Local): +44 20 3936 2999
United States (Local): +1 646 664 1960
United Arab Emirates (Toll-free): +971 800 035704553

Global Dial-In Numbers

Access Code: 190992

About Burjeel Holdings 

Founded in 2007, Burjeel Holdings is one of the leading private healthcare services providers in the MENA region. With a network of 61 assets, including 16 hospitals and 24 medical centers, as well as pharmacies and other allied services, the group provides the highest standard of patient care in the region. Burjeel Holdings’ brands include Burjeel Hospitals, Medeor Hospitals, LLH Hospitals, Lifecare Hospitals, and Tajmeel. It has 12 JCI-accredited facilities, with a total 1,660 patient beds across its operations in UAE and Oman, and holds a leading position in the UAE. The Group has comprehensive cancer care facilities in the UAE, and is the country’s leading mother and childcare provider. 

Contacts 

Media:   Stephen Smith  SVP – Teneo    burjeelholdings@teneo.com M: +971 58 546 1588

Investor Relations:   Sergei Levitskii Head of Investor Relations – Burjeel Holdings  ir@burjeelholdings.com  M: +971 50 380 2383

The initial focus will be on the hospital’s BMT program, which has performed around 78 transplants since its inception in 2022.

Abu Dhabi: To provide the best advanced health technologies and create an enhanced end-to-end patient experience, Burjeel Medical City (BMC), the flagship facility of Burjeel Holdings, and Digipharm, a UK-based innovative healthcare solutions provider, have joined hands to design and validate a new model for patient care in the UAE. The new platform, which has the potential to revolutionize the digital healthcare ecosystem, will focus initially on the Bone Marrow Transplantation program and will later expand to other specialties at the hospital. According to the agreement, BMC and Digipharm, which has clients such as the UK National Health Service, will work closely together to implement digitally enabled Value-based Healthcare (VBHC) and Value-based Procurement (VBP) provisions. Mr. John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings, and Ahmed Abdulla, CEO of Digipharm, signed the MoU. The partnership between BMC and Digipharm seeks to serve patients across the UAE with access to the most innovative health technologies that ensure optimized clinical pathways, and improved patient outcomes and experiences. As per the agreement, BMC will work with the company to lay the foundations to implement Digipharm’s ‘Reimburse’ Platform and the ‘Digihealth’ (patient reported outcomes) Application to enable VBHC and VBP at the hospital. The multi-phase partnership will initially develop a framework to measure value by understanding the patient journey when the patient first steps into the hospital until the required treatment is provided, focusing on value-creation and the elimination of waste/poor outcomes. Accordingly, the collaboration will then explore real-time application of pre-agreed, personalized contract stipulations which are automatically executed when conditions are met.

“At Burjeel Holdings, we firmly believe that technology is a game-changer for advancing healthcare delivery. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to enhance the patient experience, improve outcomes and drive innovation in healthcare. We are excited to explore how the new technology can be used to improve Bone Marrow Transplant outcomes. Such collaborations will also bolster the UAE’s transformation journey into a global leader in healthcare,” said Mr. Sunil.

Established in 2022, BMC’s Bone Marrow Transplantation Program has completed 78 transplant procedures, including 30 in the pediatric population. The new system will help BMC identify the pain points a patient faces during the journey and estimate the associated cost at each step. It helps to design solutions around the care provided for the best outcomes and identify opportunities to reduce the cost of care provision. The platform will also enable remote patient experience feedback, reporting and patient reported outcome measurements collection through a dedicated application. The application hosts International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurements (ICHOM) Standard Sets and other established questionnaires that are widely used to inform healthcare commissioning and health technology assessments.

“We are proud to collaborate with one of the UAE’s largest private healthcare providers. Our platform will optimize the patient journey by identifying gaps and potential risks to deliver better outcomes. This collaboration will also allow us as a solution provider to validate our delivery models in host institutions and patient populations outside of the UK and Europe in a country that is leading digital transformation in the region,” said Mr. Abdulla.