UAE’s First Proton Therapy Center Gets DHA Green Light
Cancer patients in the UAE will soon benefit from innovative technology as Dubai Health Authority gives the green light to the country’s first proton therapy center. This medical breakthrough represents one of the most important advances in regional cancer care. The treatment works especially when you have children as patients or tumors located near sensitive organs. The Yas Proton Therapy Center’s construction will start in early 2026 and finish by late 2028. This facility will provide precise radiation treatment that protects healthy tissue effectively.
The new center will partner with Singapore’s National Cancer Center to bring world-class expertise to Dubai. This healthcare facility fits perfectly into Dubai’s medical innovation roadmap for 2031 and beyond. Dubai aims to attract more than 500,000 international patients yearly by 2025 through its Medical Tourism Vision. Dr. Mohamad Zaki of Yas Healthcare points out a concerning trend of rising cancer diagnoses worldwide, with younger people affected more frequently.
DHA Approves Yas Healthcare to Build UAE’s First Proton Therapy Center
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has approved Yas Healthcare’s plans to build the first proton therapy center in the United Arab Emirates. This milestone approval follows a detailed review of the project proposal that aims to fill a major gap in advanced cancer treatment options in the region.
Yas Healthcare’s CEO Dr. Mohamad Zaki announced the AED 500 million facility will occupy a 15,000 square meter plot in Dubai Healthcare City. The construction will start in early 2026, and the center should open its doors by late 2028. The completed facility will house two treatment rooms with state-of-the-art proton beam technology.
“This approval represents a milestone in our healthcare system,” Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said at the official announcement ceremony. “The proton therapy center will allow us to offer advanced cancer treatments previously unavailable in the region.”
DHA’s decision supports Dubai’s Health Strategy 2031, which puts emphasis on medical technology advancement. This approval comes after getting a full picture of the region’s cancer treatment needs in the last three years.
Dr. Yousif Al Serkal, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, explained that the facility will help around 1,200 patients each year at full capacity. “Our priority was ensuring this facility meets international standards while addressing local healthcare needs,” he said.
The center will focus on treating:
- Pediatric cancers
- Brain and spinal tumors
- Head and neck cancers
- Tumors near critical organs
The approval process demanded strict staff qualification requirements. The center must employ at least six oncologists specialized in proton therapy. Yas Healthcare has started recruiting international experts and planning training programs for UAE-based medical professionals to prepare for operations.
UAE residents will no longer need to travel abroad for this specialized treatment. The new center will make state-of-the-art cancer care accessible to more people locally.
Proton Therapy Offers Precision Cancer Treatment
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The UAE’s first dedicated center will soon offer proton therapy, which marks a revolutionary step forward in radiation treatment technology. Unlike X-ray based conventional radiation, proton therapy employs positively charged particles that target tumors with incredible precision. Proton beams deliver energy differently – they can be controlled to release most of their cancer-fighting power at a specific point called the “Bragg peak,” which matches the tumor’s exact shape and depth.
This precise targeting capability makes proton therapy stand out. Doctors can pinpoint exactly where the highest energy release should occur, which maximizes damage to cancer cells. Proton beams are nowhere near as harmful as traditional X-ray radiation because they deposit less radiation along their path and leave virtually no exit dose beyond the tumor. This approach reduces radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and vital organs by up to 60%.
Such precision brings remarkable benefits. Patients face fewer side effects during and after their treatment. Proton therapy works exceptionally well for tumors near critical structures like the brain, heart, or spinal cord, as it protects important neurological functions better. This makes it perfect for treating complex or hard-to-reach tumors.
Children receive unique benefits from this technology. Their developing bodies react more sensitively to radiation, which puts them at higher risk for developmental issues and secondary cancers. Research shows that proton therapy helps protect pediatric patients from growth delays, cognitive problems, and other long-term complications.
The treatment uses pencil beam scanning technology – beams just millimeters wide that combine precision and effectiveness. Most patients maintain active lifestyles throughout their treatment and continue to work and exercise. This technology has shown great results in treating various cancers, including those affecting the brain, prostate, breast, spine, and head and neck region.
Dubai Partners with Singapore’s NCCS to Deliver Global Standards
Dubai’s partnership with Singapore’s National Cancer Center (NCCS) is the life-blood of the emirate’s proton therapy center development. This mutually beneficial alliance brings world-class oncology expertise to the UAE’s healthcare world and elevates treatment standards to international levels.
NCCS, Singapore’s renowned center for cancer research and treatment protocols, will provide technical consultation during development. Dr. William Hartsell, Medical Director of Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center, highlighted the partnership’s importance: “The technical complexity of proton therapy demands collaboration with established centers to ensure optimal outcomes for patients.”
NCCS specialists will train UAE-based medical professionals on proton therapy techniques, clinical workflows, and quality assurance protocols during implementation. The knowledge transfer will include:
- Radiation oncology specialized training
- Medical physics and dosimetry calibration
- Patient selection criteria development
- Treatment planning optimization
The partnership goes beyond the original setup and establishes ongoing research collaboration between institutions. Medical teams from both countries will analyze treatment outcomes together and contribute valuable data to the global proton therapy knowledge base.
Dr. Saad Abdulrahman, Director of Medical Affairs at Dubai Health Authority, stated: “By aligning with Singapore’s proven expertise, we’re ensuring the emirates proton therapy center dubai uae will operate at global standards from day one.”
UAE patients can now receive care equivalent to international centers without traveling abroad. Before this development, patients had to travel to Europe, the United States, or Asia, which led to substantial costs and disrupted family support systems.
This alliance tackles both technical implementation and sustainability concerns effectively. NCCS will help establish protocols for equipment maintenance, staff retention, and continuous professional development—significant factors that maintain treatment quality over time.
The partnership focuses on facility development now but will grow to include joint research initiatives. Treatment options might expand as the proton therapy center uae becomes fully operational. This shared approach ensures Dubai’s cancer treatment capabilities continue pioneering global advances in radiation oncology.
A Transformative Step Forward for Regional Cancer Care
Dubai’s first proton therapy center marks a breakthrough in Middle Eastern healthcare. This innovative facility will revolutionize cancer treatment across the region. Patients who once traveled abroad for specialized treatment can now receive world-class care closer to home.
The center proves Dubai’s steadfast dedication to healthcare excellence. Construction will start in early 2026 and finish by late 2028. This AED 500 million investment will help 1,200 patients each year. Children with cancer will benefit the most from this technology because it reduces radiation exposure to developing tissues.
Through collaboration with Singapore’s National Cancer Center, the project goes beyond just building infrastructure. The partnership will give Dubai access to knowledge transfer, specialized training, and international best practices right from the start. The technical expertise gained will help Dubai become a regional leader in advanced cancer treatment.
Proton therapy targets complex tumors near sensitive organs with incredible precision. Patients who undergo this treatment have fewer side effects and can maintain normal lifestyles during treatment. These benefits, plus local availability, will improve UAE cancer patients’ quality of life substantially.
The center fits perfectly into Dubai’s Health Strategy 2031 and medical tourism goals. DHA’s approval strengthens Dubai’s position as a healthcare hub that attracts international patients seeking innovative treatments. While completion is years away, this initiative’s foundations will set new standards for cancer care across the region.
UAE residents who needed proton therapy previously faced tough decisions about overseas treatment. Many cancer patients will no longer shoulder the emotional and financial burden of seeking care abroad. This development meets a crucial need and shows Dubai’s dedication to excellent healthcare for citizens and visitors alike.
