- Strategic alliance through equity investment to support group’s ambitious addition of tertiary services and expansion of RAK Hospital
- A ‘Patient Navigation Center’ at RAK Hospital to facilitate access to exceptional clinical expertise across CommonSpirit’s affiliated network across USA
- Patients in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region to benefit from access to CommonSpirit’s expertise through tele-health and second opinions
- Collaboration to support state-of-the-art US protocols for enhanced patient experience, outcomes and satisfaction
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE: Dignity Health International (DHI), the international arm of CommonSpirit Health, one of the largest hospital systems in the United States, is furthering its relationship with RAK Hospital, the flagship multispecialty hospital of the Arabian Healthcare Group (AHG), by acquiring a strategic minority equity stake, further strengthening its existing relationship with AHG, which began in 2018. AHG will become the common platform to provide advanced healthcare services in the UAE and in the wider MENA region.
DHI and AHG are working together on a growth strategy to further enhance the level of healthcare services provided in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which will be supported through co-investment and collaboration. This strategic alliance will help bring US healthcare protocols to RAK Hospital to provide patients with the highest level of care.
Further augmenting RAK Hospital’s position as a preferred medical destination for both international and local patients, the alliance will provide patients with access to specialty care in the areas of cardiac services, orthopedics, neurosciences, musculoskeletal conditions, and rehabilitation, at the hospital in Ras Al Khaimah. Moreover, for specific and advanced medical requirements, RAK Hospital will facilitate the patient’s journey by aligning them with the most suitable facility from CommonSpirit’s 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 US states.
Dr. Raza Siddiqui, CEO of Arabian Healthcare Group and Executive Director of RAK Hospital, said, “This is the first time a top US healthcare player has directly invested in a hospital in the Middle East. With CommonSpirit’s ownership position, RAK Hospital has access to CommonSpirit’s network, which is a one-of-a-kind relationship. Through this partnership, AHG is delighted to bring the most advanced US protocols and procedures to Ras Al Khaimah, positioning RAK Hospital as a preferred healthcare facility for advanced tertiary care requirements.”
AHG and DHI will collaboratively develop and manage a Patient Navigation Center, which will provide patients and their clinicians with access to exceptional clinical expertise across CommonSpirit’s affiliated network, and further, support patients seeking healthcare services in one of CommonSpirit’s centers of excellence in the United States. Through this integrated Patient Navigation Center, AHG and DHI will help these patients identify the most appropriate CommonSpirit facility for treatment and also manage and provide continuity for pre and post care. Clinical teams from both health systems will be able to coordinate care virtually to reduce the burden of medical travel for regional patients.
The Patient Navigation Center will be a hub and spoke model, with RAK Hospital serving as the central hub, and will be completed by developing satellite navigation centers located in other countries, such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bahrain, among others.
Furthermore, DHI and AHG management teams are also collaborating on a visiting physician program in which CommonSpirit physicians will work with RAK Hospital on developing best-in-class protocols for targeted specialties. In addition, by leveraging digital technology, DHI and AHG will seamlessly provide RAK Hospital patients with access to CommonSpirit expertise through telehealth services.
“Our mission to improve the health of all people extends beyond the United States. We are thrilled to further bolster our relationship with RAK Hospital to bring CommonSpirit’s clinical expertise, innovation and high quality of healthcare to the MENA region,”said Dan Morissette, CFO of CommonSpirit.
The expansion of the existing 65-bed RAK Hospital to 200 beds will enhance healthcare delivery by providing advanced tertiary care. Initial focus will be on cardiac services, neurosciences, orthopedics, musculoskeletal conditions, rehabilitation and select additional services. The hospital expansion project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Another major focus area will be virtual tumor boards, which will allow for consultation and diagnosis of complex cancer cases, allowing patients to stay close to home.
Gregg Davis, Senior Vice President of CommonSpirit and Chief Administrative Officer of Dignity Health International, said, “This alliance provides us with the opportunity to work together with
Arabian Healthcare Group to bring our clinical expertise to help build healthcare delivery systems that are sustainable for populations on a global scale.”
CommonSpirit operates 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 US states. Among the care centers widely recognized for clinical expertise in CommonSpirit’s U.S. network are the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona; Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas Heart Institute, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in Seattle, Washington.
AHG operates RAK Hospital, the leading private hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, and provides healthcare services to the community through a network of clinics across the Emirate.
DHI is a member of the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s U.S. Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP). USCIPP is a consortium of American academic medical centers, hospitals, and health systems that work with international patients and institutions. USCIPP members lead peer-to-peer learning, research, collaboration, and open sharing of knowledge and industry best practices.
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Notes to the Editor
About Arabian Healthcare Group
Arabian Healthcare Group (AHG) is a premium global healthcare management and consulting firm set up by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah. AHG was founded in 2011 to meet the phenomenal growth in the demand for high quality healthcare. With a vision to become an outstanding global icon in delivering premium quality healthcare, AHG aims to offer a one-stop-shop for the complete gamut of Healthcare Advisory and Consulting requirements.
RAK Hospital based in Ras Al Khaimah, owned, built, commissioned, and managed by AHG, is an exemplary showcase project that ranks among the few luxury hospitals in the world seamlessly blending premium hospitality with world-class healthcare. While the hospital efficiently caters to the needs of the local population, the group is constantly striving to make it the new medical tourism destination of the UAE.
About RAK Hospital
Just an hour away from the Dubai International Airport, RAK Hospital caters to a large number of patients that visit the UAE for cost-effective and reliable medical care. Since its inception in 2007, the Hospital has played a pivotal role in strengthening the UAE’s position in the field of medical tourism. RAK Hospital has over 650,000 unique registered patients, more than 75 doctors, and 300 nurses and support staff. The campus includes state-of-the art diagnostic
facilities, surgical programs, operation theaters, cardiac labs, a stroke unit, and rehabilitation programs.
With a holistic approach to care, RAK Hospital provides a number of areas of specialization including a fully equipped Neurosurgery and Spine Centre, Orthopedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Neurosurgical services, services related to Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology, and Minimal Invasive Surgical procedures. It also has Department of Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery, and a spa offering a wide range of wellness and rejuvenation treatments.
About DHI/ CommonSpirit Health
DHI is CommonSpirit Health’s international health affiliate, formed with the purpose of creating global centers of excellence as well as providing access to quality care to patients from around the globe. CommonSpirit Health, which operates over 140 hospitals and more than 1,500 care sites across 21 U.S. states, is a nonprofit, health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health.
CommonSpirit is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality healthcare with its national office in
About Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its diverse landscape, from 64km of beaches, to deserts and imposing mountains, as well as its rich history, dating back 7,000 years. It has many archaeological sites, four of which have been shortlisted on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Emirate’s Jebel Jais mountain, which is the highest mountain in the UAE, boasts attractions including Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3km, and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Ras Al Khaimah is centrally located at the modern crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa region and beyond. The Emirate boasts one of the most diverse economies in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than 26% of the Emirate’s GDP – a critical advantage that enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s economic flexibility and strength. For more than a decade, Ras Al Khaimah has been consistently rated in the ‘A’ range by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international ratings agencies. Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society, with an estimated population of 0.4 million people in 2021. With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up and a competitive and affordable cost of living, Ras Al Khaimah is the informed choice for business, lifestyle and exploration.