United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), a leading healthcare development company in the UAE, and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, have announced the launch of a major eye hospital in Abu Dhabi.

The 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 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, the chief executive of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, Mariano Gonzalez, the managing director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, CEO and managing director of UEMedical and Majd Abu Zant, the chief operating officer (COO) of UEMedical.

Touring the facility, Sheikh Nahyan said: "We have opened today in Abu Dhabi one of the oldest Ophthalmology hospitals in the world, founded 200 years ago in London. This hospital will add great value to the exceptional medical services in the UAE, 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, he stated.

Alastair Burt, UK Minister of State for Health, pointed out that almost 300 million people around the world had 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," he added.

On the significance of the Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre in Abu Dhabi, Burt said: "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 institutions – Moorfields," he added.

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.

Currently the largest eye specialty hospital in the country, Moorfields boasts 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 stated.

In his comments, Al Shorafa said: "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."

Commenting on the launch, Pelly said: "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."-TradeArabia News Service