Nahyan Bin Mubarak inaugurates Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi 28th November 2015 (WAM): Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre in Abu Dhabi was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan Minister of Culture Youth and Community Development. The occasion was celebrated by United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical) a leading privately owned healthcare development and investment company in Abu Dhabi and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London the oldest and one of the largest centres for ophthalmic treatment teaching and research in the world with over 200 years of experience in ophthalmology partners in this joint venture.

The opening ceremony was attended by UK Minister of State for Health Alastair Burt British Ambassador to the UAE Philip Parham and representatives of the Health Authority Abu Dhabi joined by John Pelly Chief Executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London Mariano Gonzalez Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of UEMedical and Majd Abu Zant Chief Operating Officer (COO) of UEMedical.

During his tour of the centre Sheikh Nahyan said: "We have opened today in Abu Dhabi Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre one of the oldest Ophthalmology hospitals in the world founded two hundred years ago in London. This hospital will add great value to the exceptional medical services in the United Arab Emirates offering unmatchable ophthalmological medical services with innovative medical techniques. It will promote the country as a global commercial and tourism destination and demonstrate the confidence that international institutions have in investing in the UAE. We wish the centre success and applaud UEMedical for this fruitful cooperation between a UAE based company and one of the oldest and the best medical institutions in the world."

He added "This cooperation between local and international organisations was made possible due to our wise leaders His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. These leaders have provided opportunities for world-class medical services to become available to both UAE nationals and residents of our beloved country."

"Almost 300 million people around the world have some kind of visual impairment. Countries must promote eye health and raise awareness of the importance of prevention and control of so many ophthalmic disorders which unfortunately have significant human and socioeconomic consequences to society. I am happy to be here today and witness such an effort made by the UAE and the UK to do just that" said Alastair Burt UK Minister of State for Health.

Adding to the significance of the Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre in Abu Dhabi the British Ambassador commented: "I know that Moorfields will live up to its name and long track record of ophthalmic excellence in London and Dubai and will improve and strengthen the quality of eye care services in Abu Dhabi. I am truly honoured to see this happening through a partnership established between a local company led by an inspirational Emirati and one of London's finest institutionsMoorfields".

Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre Abu Dhabi located in Marina Village will offer the same comprehensive range of specialist ophthalmology services and surgical procedures available at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai the first overseas branch to open its doors back in 2007.

Over 7000 individuals who previously had to commute to Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai for ophthalmic care will now be able to find surgical and non-surgical treatments for common and complex eye conditions in children and adults including strabismus (squint) glaucoma retina (medical and surgical) oculoplastic (including cosmetic surgery around the eye) corneal and refractive (vision corrective surgery) right here in the UAE capital on a day care basis.

All consultations and treatments will be performed by highly experienced and qualified consultant ophthalmologists many of whom trained and practiced at Moorfields in London. Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre will offer the most advanced equipment and technology for the diagnosis and treatment of the most complex eye conditions enabling them to map assess manage progression and treat all eye disorders.

Moorfields Eye Hospitals in the UAE are currently the largest eye specialty hospitals in the country with a team of 15 consultant ophthalmologists including six retinal consultant ophthalmologists focusing on medical retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy one of the most common complications caused by diabetes. The services covered at the hospital are also supported by optometry and orthoptic assessments.

"It is an honour to partner with Moorfields Eye Hospital a true centre of excellence in ophthalmology to bring world-class eye care to the Abu Dhabi community. This is yet another important step UEMS takes in line with the UAE leaders' vision to provide the people of the UAE with the best healthcare facilities raising the bar of medical services in the country to international standards" said Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa CEO and Managing Director of United Eastern Medical Services.

Commenting on the opening of the new centre John Pelly CEO of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust added: "We are very pleased to see that Moorfields now has a home in the UAE capital. One of our aims is to provide care where patients need it the most and based on our eight years of experience in the UAE so far; we hope that this new centre will be more accessible to these patients and that our world renowned expertise will allow us to make significant contribution to the local medical field in treatment education and research working with local authorities and further supporting the development of healthcare in the UAE to help better serve the local population needs".