H+A wins design contract for first Proton Beam Therapy cancer treatment centre in the region
Proton Partners International Healthcare Investments values build at $60mn
Proton Partners International Healthcare Investments has appointed architect and design firm H+A to design its $60 million proton beam therapy cancer treatment centre in Abu Dhabi.
The first facility of its kind in the region, the Abu Dhabi Proton Centre (ADPC) will be part of the existing Gulf International Cancer Centre (GICC) in Abu Dhabi. It will be situated on a site provided by SBK Holding LLC, the Holding Company of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, advisor to the President of the UAE.
H+A says it has been tasked with designing the centre to house the compact Proton Therapy (PT) solution and other facilities including a café, anaesthetic rooms, treatment rooms, zen gardens to aid recovery of cancer patients, dosimetry facility; a conference facility which seats 200 for regular meetings, offices for consulting specialists, interior design, landscaping and additional parking. It will also include the introduction of a new MRI suite and linear accelerator (LINAC) as an extension of the GICC. The centre is expected to l be able to treat over 1,300 patients annually, opening in 2019.
“This was a very complicated project dealing with such advanced equipment,” said Stas Louca, H+A’s managing director. “We had to work with a number of design specialists for the radiation screening bunker to protect staff and patients. The radiation shielding blocks will be imported from the U.S by Veritas and the equipment is provided by IBA from Belgium. The technology for the shieilding blocks in a unique innovation and a first for the region.
“We’ve also created a patient experience with a high-end hospitality feel. We looked at everything from materials and colours to lighting, all of which affect healing time. This is truly a contemporary and modern piece of architecture. We used glass for better light and views and the quality of materials are low maintenance, sustainable and high performing to surpass insulation criteria. It was an exceptionally fast design, using BIM. We used an integration of software tools, including augmented reality, to meet project timelines. The most exciting part for us was not many healthcare architects have ever designed a proton beam facility, and to be the very first in the region has been a privilege.”
“We are delighted to have our expertise in the healthcare sector recognised with our appointment to design the first ever treatment centre with this technology in the region. It is wonderful to be a part of such an important phase in the UAE’s plans to revolutionise cancer treatment, aiming to provide world-class medical treatment for all cancer patients, making this country a prime destination for medical tourists.”
While cancer is the third leading cause of death in the UAE behind cardiovascular disease and accidents, approximately 4,500 new cases are reported each year and the UAE government has vowed to lower the number of fatalities from cancer by 2021 with programs encouraging regular screenings and the building of more modern facilities like the GICC.
“The introduction of proton beam therapy marks an important phase in our plans to revolutionise cancer treatment in the UAE and with works officially started, our vision will soon be a reality,” commented Mike Moran, CEO of Proton Partners International. “Currently, there are no centres which offer proton beam therapy in the Middle East, so we are proud that Proton Partners will be part of the team to be bringing it to the UAE.”
