Yas Healthcare to build UAE’s first proton therapy center in Dubai

UAE—The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has granted initial approval to Yas Healthcare, a subsidiary of Das Holding, to establish the UAE’s first proton therapy centre in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in advancing cancer care in the region.

Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the state-of-the-art facility scheduled for completion by late 2028.

Proton therapy is a highly advanced form of radiation treatment that precisely targets cancerous tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

This precision reduces side effects and is especially effective for paediatric cancers and tumours located near sensitive organs.

Until now, patients in the UAE and surrounding regions had to travel abroad for this specialised treatment. The new centre will provide local access, improving convenience and reducing costs for patients.

The Yas Proton Therapy Centre will be developed in strategic collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), one of Asia’s leading oncology institutions.

NCCS will serve as the project consultant, lending global clinical and technical expertise to the facility’s design and implementation.

Dr. Michael Wang, Chair of Radiation Oncology at NCCS, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, highlighting NCCS’s leadership in radiation oncology and its operation of one of Southeast Asia’s largest proton beam facilities.

He sees this collaboration as a step toward redefining cancer treatment in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director-General of the DHA, emphasized that under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai is committed to becoming a global healthcare leader.

He noted that the proton therapy centre will enhance patient care by offering world-class, patient-centred treatment and improving access to specialised care, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

This project aligns with Dubai’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aim to improve quality of life and position Dubai among the top 10 cities worldwide for healthy life expectancy.

Dr. Mohamad Zaki, Medical Director and General Manager of Yas Healthcare, pointed out the global rise in cancer diagnoses, particularly among younger patients.

He stressed that proton therapy offers a treatment option with fewer side effects and lower toxicity for certain cancer types.

The Yas Proton Therapy Centre aims to make this advanced treatment more accessible and affordable by providing it closer to home.

The centre’s establishment also supports Dubai’s Medical Tourism Vision, which targets attracting over 500,000 international patients annually by 2025.

This initiative reinforces Dubai’s status as a key destination for advanced medical care and innovation, contributing to the city’s broader goals of healthcare excellence and economic diversification.

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