HAMED BIN ZAYED OPENS SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN BUILDING FOR PERSONALISED CANCER CARE IN HOUSTON

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi's Court, has inaugurated Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Building for Personalised Cancer in Houston, U.S. 

This came during a ceremony held in the building attended by Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, Mohammed Haji Al Khouri, Director General of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation and a number of Emirati doctors at the medical centres in the United States and Canada, as well as a group of American officials, doctors, and administrative, technical and medical staff of the centre. 

The building - which covers an area of 626, 000 square feet and financed by the Khalifa Foundation, The Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalised Cancer Therapy, and The Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, is supervised by MD Anderson Cancer Centre at the University of Texas, U.S. 

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed toured facilities and sections of the building, where he was briefed on equipment and research and medical systems, and heard from those in charge of the Sheikh Zayed Building for Research on Cancer, about the work of specialist centre. It provides effective diagnosis and treatment. 

He exchanged cordial views with the administrative and technical staff about the role of the centre and its cooperation with other research centres and institutions in the development of research on cancer diseases, and exchange of experience and knowledge among various actors to ensure safer and more effective cure for cancer diseases. 

Sheikh Hamed stressed that the UAE, led by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is a pioneer in the establishment of humanitarian and development partnerships that serve human progress work in many vital sectors, notably the health sector. 

He noted that those achievements would not have been attained without the directives of the UAE President and unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and follow up by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Board Chairman of the Khalifa Foundation. 

Sheikh Hamed said that the Sheikh Khalifa Foundation through this work and other initiatives, reflects the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan sustained by the UAE President to advance works that serve humanity. 

He expressed satisfaction on the existence of Emirati doctors, along with their American peers, commending their diligence in acquiring practical experiences from the prestigious medical centres. 

During the ceremony, a number of officials from Texas University and MD Anderson Cancer Centre delivered speeches on the occasion. Ronald DePinho, M.D. President of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, commended the UAE for funding this great humanitarian work, noting that it would further enhance advanced research in the cancer diseases to ensure more effective treatment. 

For his part, Dr. Robert A. Wolff, Oncology Fellowship Programme Professor, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Distinguished University Chair of Medical Oncology, said that the Sheikh Zayed Building, "is an opportunity for scientists and oncologists, surgeons, radiologists and pathologists to coordinate their efforts and work under one umbrella to draw experiences and ideas about causes of cancer." 

He added that he had met with the late Sheikh Zayed and heard him speaking about the importance of doing something regarding the joint research, noting that today "We are witnessing this important medical institution," which aims to improve the lives of cancer patients everywhere.