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Dubai: An analysis of the cancer situation in the UAE, including incidence rate and treatment options available, is almost complete and could be out within weeks, the minister of health said.
Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health, told Gulf News the report by the UAE Cancer Committee, headed by the ministry’s Director-General Dr Ali Shakar, was being finalised.
“The report will cover how many people have cancer, cancer education and awareness and how many people are being treated here and outside the country,” he said.
He added the ministry could be announcing the results in as little as two weeks.
Duplicated data
Current statistics on the UAE are incomplete as cancer patients are registered according to their place of treatment. Many patients go to more than one cancer centre in the UAE, causing the numbers to be duplicated.
The numbers also do not reflect some who are diagnosed and underwent surgery in the private sector, and received treatment overseas.
“We are still finalising our cancer data. And our cancer strategy will be out soon,” he said.
Al Qutami also said the report would help the ministry understand the demand for cancer treatment centres and treatment options, while the strategy would prepare the UAE for future cases.
“We don’t have enough centres in the UAE. Too many people are going overseas for treatment,” he said.
There are three major cancer centres in the UAE — Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Hospital in Dubai.
Public hospitals handle the bulk of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment as they are largely free or cost little. A few private hospitals also offer chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but at a price, while some private medical centres also conduct cancer screening, diagnostic and surgical services, such as biopsies.
“Sometimes, we need to send patients overseas when we don’t have the equipment,” said Dr Fareed Khalifa, head of oncology at Dubai Hospital.
A specialised cancer centre is under construction in Ras Al Khaimah, which will be run by the Ministry of Health, while another is being planned in Dubai, which will be run by Dubai Health Authority.
According to latest statistics from the World Health Organisation, cancer is the third leading cause of death in high-income countries.
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