Al Jalila Foundation raises Dh390m for Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital

Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah & Sons pledges Dh10 million

Moafaq Al Gaddah, right, pledged Dh10 million to Al Jalila Foundation for the Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital. With him is Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, chief executive of Al Jalila Foundation. Photo: Dubai Media OfficeShow less

Al Jalila Foundation has passed the halfway mark in its fundraising drive to secure Dh750 million for the UAE's first charity hospital aimed at helping cancer patients in need.

The non-profit healthcare organisation said it has raised Dh390 million since the Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital project was announced in April last year.

Al Jalila Foundation announced on Tuesday that Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah & Sons has pledged Dh10 million to support the hospital.

It is the latest in a long line of significant donations the foundation has received from philanthropists, government and non-government organisations, UAE businesses and corporates.

Established last year by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the 250-bed hospital will cover 50,000 square metres and is expected to be able to treat up to 30,000 patients a year.

It will provide outpatient, ambulatory and diagnostic services as well as inpatient and surgical services.

The hospital will also work with the Mohammed bin Rashid Medical Research Institute on studies to advance cancer care.

It will be built in two phases, with the first scheduled to open in 2024 with 150 beds.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid - in pictures

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Aluminium Company inaugurates DUBAL's twenty-five year anniversary celebrations in Dubai on January 9, 2005. Sheikh Hamdan died on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Reuters

Chard Hills and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid after winning The Coronation Stakes with Ghanaati at the Royal Ascot. The popularity of horseracing in the UAE is widely attributed to Sheikh Hamdan.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid signs an inauguration document at the opening ceremony of the largest power production and water desalination plant in the UAE, in Dubai, on April 8, 2013. Sarah Dea / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid pictured at the Meydan Racecourse with winner of the 1,200m race, Muarrab, and rider Paul Hanagan in March 5, 2016. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid is presented with the Dubai World Cup trophy in 2015 after Prince Bishop won the showpiece race. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid speaks at the opening session of the Annual Meetings of the Arab Financial Institutions and the Fourth Meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Finance on April 2, 2013. Razan Alzayani / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid greets Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, during an iftar reception at Mushrif Palace on July 1, 2014. With them is Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, speaks with Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid during an Eid Al Adha reception at Mushrif Palace on September 2, 2017. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, attend a wedding at then Armed Forces Officers Club on March 23, 2016. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid distributes the Distinguished Student Awards at Dubai International Convention Centre on April 8, 2008. Jeffrey E. Biteng / The National

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, attend a UAE Cabinet meeting at Wahat Al Karama on March 5, 2017. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid greets Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, during an Eid Al Adha reception at Mushrif Palace on August 11, 2019. Eissa Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid attend the Determination Retreat, at the Presidential Palace on March 10, 2019. Also present are Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid presents an award to Mohammed Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Deputy Governor of the UAE Central Bank, on March 11, 2019. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid offers condolences to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on the death of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed at Al Mushrif Palace on November 21, 2019. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid offers condolences to Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed on the death of Sheikh Sultan, at Al Mushrif Palace on November 21, 2019. Hamad Al Mansoori for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid with his father, Sheikh Rashid, and brother Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1963

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid attends the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and the Dubai Solar Show 2020 virtually on October 26, 2020. Courtesy Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid offers condolences to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed on the death of Sheikh Sultan, at Al Mushrif Palace on November 21, 2019. Hamad Al Mansoori for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, attend the final day of the 2019 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at Shams Tower. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid, who became Ruler of Dubai in 1958, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, then Crown Prince of Dubai, attend Eid al Fitr prayers.

Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al Assaf is greeted by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid after arriving in Abu Dhabi to attend a GCC finance ministers' meeting on May 7, 2011. AFP

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid opens the 27th edition of Gitex in Dubai on September 8, 2007. Bloomberg

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid speaks to his Saudi counterpart Ibrahim Al Assaf ahead of a GCC finance ministers' meeting in Abu Dhabi on September 7, 2011. Reuters

The new facility was named after Sheikh Mohammed's late brother, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance, who died in March last year after a period of poor health. He was in his mid-70s.

Sheikh Mohammed said Sheikh Hamdan was one of the cornerstones of the UAE's rapid development over the past 50 years. He was appointed minister of finance in the Cabinet under Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, after the formation of the country in December 1971 and held the post until his death.

Free or subsidised cancer care

According to the World Health Organisation, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for one death in every six.

About 4,500 cases of cancer are diagnosed every year in the UAE, making it the third leading cause of death in the country.

Studies show that low-income cancer patients cannot access timely diagnoses and life-saving treatment. Survival rates are dependent on accessible early detection and high quality medical care.

Patients will be accepted to the hospital from all emirates where services would either be free or highly subsidised.

"The Hamdan bin Rashid Cancer Charity Hospital will become a leader in cancer care, serving patients unable to afford quality care," said Dr Abdulkareem Al Olama, chief executive of Al Jalila Foundation.

"Donor support is integral to our success in developing the state-of-the-art hospital.

"We are grateful to MAG Group for their generous donation that will greatly impact the lives of adults and children with cancer.

"The hospital will offer unparalleled cancer expertise and make an invaluable contribution to the country’s healthcare sector, putting patient care first.”

Moafaq Al Gaddah, chairman and founder of MAG Group Holding, said his company is "proud and honoured" to support Al Jalila Foundation in its efforts to build the hospital.

“The world grows in kindness when we give in kindness. It is with pride that we give to the future of our community and this nation," Mr Al Gaddah said.

"The unconditional gifts of time and money are a life-changing force for good in the world. As people become more prosperous and economies grow stronger, it is our duty to create an opportunity to build an ever-stronger culture of giving the right to live across the world."