WAM Abu Dhabi, 6th May 2012 (WAM) - In line with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi strategic priorities to improve clinical outcomes, United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), Abu Dhabi's leading healthcare investment and Development Company, and its premium network of outpatient centers in Abu Dhabi �HealthPlus', signed today a strategic partnership agreement with the Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim (DZM) from Germany to comprehensively transform diabetes care and treatments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The agreement ceremony between the two parties was held in DZM facilities in Germany, in the presence of Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Managing Director '&' CEO of UEMedical; Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus; and Mr.Thomas B?er, CEO of the Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim in Germany.

DZM, one of the most prominent healthcare providers in diabetes care, will be responsible for the management of the new HealthPlus Diabetes '&' Endocrinology Center which will open by September 2012 in the capital of the UAE. The Medical Director and a team of highly qualified clinicians will be joining the new Center directly from DZM-Germany bringing in the medical expertise and clinical management skills required to insure the best international standards of care are achieved. The new 11.5-million dirham Center will be a welcomed addition to HealthPlus growing portfolio of specialized outpatient centers.

The agreement represents a critical milestone in UEMedical's strategy to create and sustain one of the finest private health systems for the Emirate.

The agreement also includes setting up a training academy which will provide further education for medical professionals, diabetologists, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals on all topics related to diabetes and endocrinology, its prevention and treatment. In addition to that, it will provide training for diabetes educators and nurses in the region to enable them to deliver self-management education for diabetic patients.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi said, "Attracting a German healthcare institution that is specialized in Diabetes to Abu Dhabi such as DZM will improve diabetes care in the region on the long run. Such an agreement represents another step for UEMedical in the realization of the UAE leaders' vision to provide the people of the UAE with the best healthcare facilities comparable to international standards. It also comes in line with the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi strategic priorities to improve clinical outcomes through partnering with world renowned partners." "The new stand-alone HealthPlus Diabetes '&' Endocrinology Center will complement our other HealthPlus Centers including the Women's Health Center, Fertility Center and Family Health Centers. We expect to receive at the new Center 2500 new patients yearly, with more than 10000 patients' encounters. Our new Center will be one of very few in the UAE fully specialized in diabetes care and will help decreasing waiting times and provide more alternatives to diabetic and endocrine patients," Mr. Al Hammadi added.

The signing took place after a briefing on the new agreement and key elements of the initiative to the attending officials from both parties. Mr. Majd Abu Zant commented, "Abu Dhabi is developing rapidly into one of the most reputable healthcare hubs in the Middle East. Our partnership today with DZM will ensure our ongoing provision of high-quality healthcare services to the people of Abu Dhabi and comes in line with the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi strategies and efforts towards improving healthcare delivery in the capital and combating the incidence of diabetes through early detection, education and training. With such a partnership, we aim not only to achieve the best clinical outcomes but also to prevent or delay the development of more costly complications associated with diabetes such as cardio - and cerebrovascular disease, diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy." Mr. Thomas B?er said, "We are indeed privileged for the opportunity to be a partner in such a remarkable cooperation, which can be seen as a unique milestone for the treatment of people with diabetes mellitus in Abu Dhabi. Our approach for world-class medical care includes highly qualified doctors and assistance and ongoing training in the field of diabetes mellitus while using state-of-the-art equipment. With the continuous research in the causes and prevention of the diabetes epidemic we endeavour to develop and evaluate new technologies and treatment options within the diabetes care. In partnership with HealthPlus it is our aim to become a well-respected Diabetes Center in the UAE region. We anticipate a mutual beneficial and long-lasting partnership with HealthPlus." "Our new Center will offer the complete spectrum of services for diabetic patients such as outpatient treatment, prevention nutritional advice and patient education in addition to professional training to other healthcare professionals in the UAE. The Center will also include subspecialties that are crucial to diabetic patients including podiatry, internal medicine, cardiology, nephrology and ophthalmology. Amongst our future plans with DZM is to build up also a Hospital for diabetes patients similar to DZM network in Germany that includes an inpatient facility, in addition to the outpatient centers and the academy for diabetes healthcare professionals," Mr. Abu Zant further added.

Researches in the region show that in the near future a dramatic increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus will occur. Responsible for this development is the profound change of life style (sedentary lifestyle, nutrition with high calorie content and obesity) and an enhanced genetic related susceptibility for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Prevalence rates for type 2 diabetes mellitus are expected to rise over 18% in the region. Beside type 2 diabetes mellitus, it can be expected that type 1 diabetes mellitus will at least have the average prevalence of other countries, which is approximately at 0.5%.

WAM/TF