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With severe predictions of increasing heart disease rates in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi’s leading tertiary care facility, Burjeel Hospital, is pledging free cardiac surgeries in a compassionate community initiative dedicated to thememory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Burjeel Hospital’sinitiative will provide 100 free heart surgeries to patients in the Middle East who may not be able to afford this life-saving surgery.
Founder and Managing Director of Lifeline HospitalGroup andBurjeel Hospital, DrShamsheerVayalil, said he wanted to launch the initiative as a tribute to the UAE’s founding father.
“Sheikh Zayed dedicated his life to ensuring the welfare of all citizens, both in the UAE and throughout the Middle East, whatever their financial circumstances, and through Burjeel Hospital, we want to continue the legacy of his kindhearted work.”
“Whilst the solution to combatting heart diseaselies in education, it is too late for many people and surgery is the only way to save lives. Sadly, not all of these patients have health insurance or can afford the cost of these surgeries which is why our program givesthem much-needed hope.”
The Columbia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, which is ranked in the top 5 US hospitals for their cardiac program, will be offering their expertise to Burjeel Hospital. Having completed over 25 years of cardiac surgery, Columbia is today a pioneer in minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgeries and heart transplants.
In announcing the partnership with the Columbia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, DrShamsheer said he is confident that the goal of having a Center of Excellence for cardiac and vascular conditions at Burjeel Hospital has been achieved.
“Our current team of cardiovascular surgeons has a wealth of local experience, but the partnership with an international leader like Columbia brings additional knowledge and expertise,” said Dr Shamsheer.
The Columbia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery performs 1,600 adult surgeries annually including on- and off-pump coronary bypass surgeries, valve procedures and over 800 minimally-invasive and robotic surgeries. It also has more than 25 years of experience in cardiac transplant surgery, undertaking 70 – 100 cardiac transplants each year, and is a recognized leader in pediatric cardiac care.
A team of cardiovascular surgeons from Columbia will work at Burjeel Hospital to support the Center of Excellence.
Visiting Abu Dhabi for the signing of the partnership, LawrenceBeilis, Executive Directorof the Columbia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, said he is highly impressed with the standard of healthcare in the UAE.
“The patient facilities at Burjeel Hospital are world-class, and their commitment to providing best-practice health and wellness care is outstanding,” said MrBeilis.
“We believe our expertise in cardiovascular surgery will enhance the experience of the local surgeons and provide patients in the region with a surety that they are receiving the very best treatment.”
MrBeilis is being accompanied by two of Columbia’s top cardiac and vascular surgeons – Dr Barry CharlesEsrigand Dr James McKinsey – who will tour the quality facilities on offer at Burjeel Hospital and discuss the heart disease profile of the region during their visit.
The free surgeries are planned from November 2012, and a team of cardiac experts will soon commence the process of screening patients for their suitability for these free surgeries.
Dr Shamsheer has made it a personal mission to lower the factors that cause cardiovascular diseases, including smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a poor diet. The World Health Organization’s MONICA Project found that the incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke mortality in the Middle East could triple over the next two decades, and other research indicates that regional obesity rates have tripled.
This latest initiative by Burjeel Hospital follows on from previous community campaigns to encourage people to quit smoking, increase physical activity and enjoy healthier eating.
Burjeel Hospital was launched in April this year with a promise to contribute to the development of healthcare services in the UAE and the region by building Centers of Excellence in healthcare. The announcement of the association with the Colombia Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery is part of a long journey in that direction which will see Burjeel Hospital continue to bring best-practicesto the UAE, and continue to develop the experience and expertise that will make it a regional leader in health, wellness and patient care.
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