Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, the HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center was officially opened today 14 April 2013. HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in partnership with Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim (DZM) from Germany is a fully comprehensive and modern Medical Center specialized in Diabetes & Endocrinology providing total world-class Diabetes Care in a multidisciplinary team approach.

The new HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center was officially inaugurated today by H.E. Sheikh Nayahan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan in the presence of H.E. Mr. Nikolai Von Schoepff, Ambassador of Germany; H.E. Dr. Maha Tayseer Barakat, Director General of Health Authority – Abu Dhabi; Dr. Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman; and other seniors from HAAD, various governmental institutions and health insurance companies.

H.E. Mr. Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of United Eastern Group and Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, CEO & Managing Director of United Eastern Medical Services in Abu Dhabi welcomed H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan and introduced the Medical Team of HealthPlus. After the ribbon-cutting, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan toured the facility to view the different departments and specialties including diabetes, endocrinology, internal medicine, cardiology, ophthalmology, psychology, podiatry, nutritional services and visited the ‘Diabetes Academy’, the Center’s comprehensive medical laboratory and specialized pharmacy all equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and in an inspiring ambience for the convenient of the patients.

During the ceremony, H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan acknowledged the new HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center and praised its different departments; and technologies applied for the service and comfort of the patients.

Mr. Mohamad Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi said, “Launching such a world-class specialized medical center 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. Moreover, attracting a German healthcare institution specializing in Diabetes to Abu Dhabi such as DZM will in the long run improve diabetes care in the region.”

United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), Abu Dhabi’s leading healthcare development and investment company, and its premium network of outpatient centers in Abu Dhabi ‘HealthPlus’, signed a strategic partnership agreement six months ago with the renowned Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim (DZM) from Germany to comprehensively transform diabetes care and treatments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. With that, the formation of the new HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center came to light.

DZM, one of the most prominent healthcare providers in diabetes care, is responsible for the management of the new HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in the capital of the UAE. The Medical Director and a team of highly qualified clinicians joined 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.

From DZM in Germany, Mrs. Helga Bergis, owner of DZM; Dr. Dominik Bergis and Nikola Bergis-Jurgan; Mr.Thomas Böer, CEO; and other members of the top management team attended the ceremony today.

“The new Center is a welcomed addition to HealthPlus growing portfolio of specialized outpatient centers including the Women’s Health Center, Fertility Center and Family Health Centers. We expect to receive at the new Center 4000 new patients yearly, with more than 20000 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 launch of the Center and partnership with DZM represent a critical milestone in UEMedical’s strategy to create and sustain one of the finest private health systems for the Emirate. Mr. Majd Abu Zant, CEO of HealthPlus, commented, “Abu Dhabi is developing rapidly into one of the most reputable healthcare hubs in the Middle East. Today, UEMedical & HealthPlus have achieved yet another milestone in its efforts towards providing state-of-the-art healthcare to the community. The opening of our new HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center ensures 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. Through our new Center, 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.”

Coming from DZM, Dr. Mohammed Al-Khatib, Medical Director & Consultant, Diabetology, Endocrinology & Internal Medicine at HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center stated, “We will be offering the complete spectrum of services for diabetic patients in an out-patient setting including consultations, treatments, prevention, nutritional advice and patient education in addition to professional training to other healthcare professionals in the UAE through our Diabetes Academy. Through our multidisciplinary team approach, we aim to provide the best clinical outcomes as possible and all at one single location for the convenience of the patient.”

Mr. Thomas Boer, CEO of DZM, who came from Germany along with a group of seniors particularly to attend this special ceremony said, “We are indeed privileged to be part of the opening of HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi, and to partner with UEMedical bringing in our expertise in Diabetes Care to the Middle East region and in specific Abu Dhabi.” Dr. Dominik Bergis added, “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 mutually beneficial and long-lasting partnership with HealthPlus.”

About UEMedical

United Eastern Medical (UEMedical) was formed in 2005 with the aim of raising the standard of healthcare service delivery and has since become Abu Dhabi’s leading privately owned Healthcare Development and Investment Company. UEM possesses the breadth of experience, the network of expertise and the financial backing to assume a prominent role in a complex and challenging healthcare environment, aiming to differentiate themselves on the basis of medical excellence, innovation and an unparalleled level of customer service. UEM will develop and manage an integrated healthcare delivery system that comprises world-class specialty hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout the UAE. Its portfolio of projects is coming together to leverage the combined talent and resources of a world class hospitals, 6 specialty centers and 14 family clinics to create an integrated healthcare delivery system across Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Among its main projects for the coming years, UEM will see the opening of the 250-bed Danat Al Emarat Women & Children’s hospital in Abu Dhabi City (2013). By partnering with a number of internationally renowned healthcare providers, UEMedical also ensures that international standards in patient care delivery and best practices are put in place. For more information, please visitwww.uems.ae

About HealthPlus

‘HealthPlus’, Abu Dhabi’s growing network of premium outpatient centers, was established by UEMedical, the Abu Dhabi based healthcare investors and developers. The healthcare network will provide state-of-the-art outpatient medical services and support the multiple missions of UEMedical, including outstanding patient care and extensive community outreach. Over 20 facilities, adopting international standards and best practices, will open over the coming years and form part of an integrated healthcare delivery system including UEMedical’s flagship project, Danat Al Emarat Women and Children’s Hospital.

The network will comprise of Centers of Excellence in a variety of specialties including Women’s Health, Fertility & Genetics, Day Surgery, Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, and Dental Health, in addition to a number of Family Clinics. The centers will be heavily involved in promoting community health awareness and education, and in supporting national programs in line with the initiatives of the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi of improving public health. HealthPlus will fill the apparent gaps in the healthcare sector, and focus will continually be placed on medical excellence, patient-centeredness and unparalleled levels of customer service. For more information, please visit www.hplus.ae

About the Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim in Germany

The Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim was launched more than 25 years ago with the aim to become the leading German Diabetes Center. Today it is one of the top healthcare institutions worldwide and well-known due to it is numerous international activities. Annually the Diabetes-Clinic treats about 3.700 in-patients and 18.000 out-patients with the main diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. In its function as an emergency hospital the Diabetes-Clinic represents the mission of the German country to treat in-patients with diabetes mellitus. As a professional hospital in the specialised medical field of diabetes mellitus it medicates patients which have to be treated stationary, provided that the out-patient therapy trials have been exhausted. In particular this includes especially patients with complicated diabetic foot ulcers, complex monitoring and complications. A further emphasis is the treatment of disorders of motivation and acceptance, and the treatment of diabetes mellitus related to depression and other psychiatric disorders. The therapeutic range is complemented with the insulin pump therapy. Additionally to the regular patients approximately 400 children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus are treated annually in the Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim.

For press enquiries, please contact:

Farah Al Alami

Marketing & Communications Manager, UEMedical

M: 00971 50 6611428

T: 00971 2 6266805

F: 00971 2 6266897

E: falami@uems.ae