Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City: Abu Dhabi’s Premier Global Healthcare Destination

Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) was established as part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 to elevate healthcare services in the Emirate. In November 2019, SEHA (the UAE’s largest healthcare network) partnered with U.S. non-profit organization Mayo Clinic to establish a joint venture to operate SSMC. This world-class partnership reinforces SEHA’s vision for positioning Abu Dhabi as a global healthcare hub. SSMC reflects SEHA’s and Mayo Clinic’s shared commitment to accelerate the development of the nation’s health care industry and enhance the quality of patient care in the UAE and beyond.

Strategic Location and Infrastructure

Strategically located in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) is located on the Ghweifat International Highway, Al Mafraq area, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The new facility replaces the existing Al Mafraq Hospital, which opened in 1983 and had reached its operational capacity. Al Mafraq is a busy neighbourhood in Abu Dhabi, home to government offices, a military school, and some hotels. Now one of the largest tertiary hospitals in UAE, this reflects SEHA’s commitment to clinical excellence and a superior patient experience.

SSMC Operational Capacity and Facilities:

• Total Beds: 732
• Operating Theatres: 18
• Delivery Rooms: 9
• Outpatient Rooms: 162
• Emergency Department: 55 rooms
• NICU: 26 rooms

Medical Departments and Specialties

SSMC is able to provide patients with world-class medical services, cutting-edge facilities, technologies and diagnostics. Physicians from every medical specialty work together to care for patients, joined by the philosophy that the needs of the patient come first. Specialized departments include:

• Bariatric Medicine and Surgery, Cardiology, and Dermatology
• Otolaryngology, Endocrinology, and Gastroenterology
• General surgery, Hematology/Oncology, and Hepatology
• Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Interventional Radiology
• Nephrology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery
• Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oncology, and Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and Pulmonary Medicine
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Rheumatology, and Urology

Centres of Excellence and Clinical Innovation

The hospital is the first of its kind in the UAE to provide advanced burn treatment and expand access to specialty care services like orthopedic and thoracic surgery. Key centres of excellence and unique services include:

• Specialized Burns Unit and Trauma Center
• Neonatal Surgical site including Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (cdh) Repairs
• Specialized Level 3 Neonatal Unit
• Cochlear Implant and Comprehensive Hepatobiliary Service
• Oncology Services including dedicated Gynae-oncology Service
• Multiple Unique Sub-Specialty Services including dedicated Hepatology Service and Pediatric Rheumatology

Impact and Performance Metrics

Since opening in January 2020, SSMC completed more than 270,000 outpatient visits, cared for over 17,000 inpatients, and provided emergency care to more than 94,000 patients. The hospital performed over 8,500 surgical procedures, including the UAE's first spiral enteroscopy and first artificial intelligence-aided colonoscopy. The hospital received more than 27,500 referrals last year. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SSMC mobilized to provide a swift, coordinated response, seeing more than 23,000 patients via telemedicine, with remote appointments increasing 325% at the height of the pandemic.

Partnership with Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a non-profit organization and global leader in medical care, committed to innovation in clinical practice, education, and research. Dr Farrugia adds it was clear early on that Mayo Clinic and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), shared a vision and commitment to develop the Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) into the region’s premier destination for medical care. Mayo Clinic’s approach to medicine is defined by multispecialty integration and teamwork, and a commitment to compassion, innovation and excellence. Today, SSMC is on track to combine Mayo Clinic’s expertise with SEHA’s rich legacy, offering the community the very best in health care.