Mayo Clinic Heart Specialists Begin Seeing Patients in Dubai

Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Dubai, UAE — It was announced today that Mayo Clinic heart specialists are now available to see patients in Dubai, United Arab Emirates with heart conditions through Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. This new service represents a joint project with Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) and also will consist of cardiovascular research and continuing cardiovascular education.

"This groundbreaking association with Dubai Healthcare City is a significant step for Mayo Clinic," said Hugh Smith, M.D., chair, Mayo Clinic Board of Governors. "It marks the first time that Mayo Clinic physicians will provide ongoing patient care supported by research and education outside the United States."

A Mayo Clinic heart specialist and team of support staff will evaluate patients with heart conditions seeking further evaluation, diagnosis and follow-up care. This new service also will allow Mayo Clinic's team of physicians an opportunity to work with local physicians who see patients in the region. The physicians will be available one week per month to provide this service.

"This initiative is the result of the strategic partnership between Dubai Healthcare City and Mayo Clinic by which Mayo Clinic will see patients with heart ailments at DHCC," says Adel Saeed Al Shamsi, chief executive officer, Dubai Healthcare City. "Through this center the Mayo heart specialists will provide world-class medical care within the Dubai Healthcare City."

"Due to the great demand for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, Mayo Clinic and DHCC will be offering this service from now, even before the Dubai Healthcare City facilities have been officially opened. When the first phase of the DHCC outpatient facilities open in August 2004, this service will move to the site."

"This is the first step in the delivery of our partnership with Mayo, with more to come in the future, such as continuous medical education events and a research collaboration."

"Mayo Clinic is excited by the opportunity to provide more of our services here in the Middle East," said A. Jamil Tajik, M.D., a Mayo Clinic heart specialist and director of the international component of the Mayo Clinic cardiology program. "Our cardiovascular program has proven to be a successful means of working with patients with heart problems. The fact that we will be able to do initial screening and diagnosis without requiring the patients to travel to the United States will add to the success of the program."

Dr. Tajik added that patients who need additional, more complex services and surgeries will have the opportunity to receive care at a medical center of their choosing, including the multi-disciplinary practice of Mayo Clinic in the United States.

Al Shamsi pointed out that this is an important partnership as it reflects the endorsement of international medical establishments in the UAE and its international standing as a regional center that provides health-care services for the region extending from North East Africa to the Indian Subcontinent and Eastern Asia.

Chris Gade
507-284-5005 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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