Jawaher Al Qasimi launches Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence in Royal Brompton London

emirates7 - In a landmark moment for global health collaboration, H.H. Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), laid the foundation stone for the Virtual Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence at Royal Brompton Hospital in London, UK.

This innovative initiative, supported by TBHF—a humanitarian foundation based in Sharjah—comes with a generous contribution of 1 million British pounds and aims to enhance the care for heart and lung diseases, areas in which the Royal Brompton Hospital is a leading institution.

Sheikha Jawaher visited the hospital with a delegation from TBHF, including Dr. Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority. During the ceremony, she unveiled the foundation stone and was welcomed by hospital management, including Dr. Alexander Lyon, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Cardiology and Director of the Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence. She was briefed on the center's progress and initial research findings.

The program is expected to benefit approximately 10 million people globally and is the first of its kind in the UK and the largest in Europe. Its focus is on enhancing scientific research related to the long-term effects of cancer treatments on the heart and blood vessels. By providing essential insights into the risks associated with these treatments, the initiative aims to improve cardiovascular health for cancer patients and develop new management strategies.

The knowledge gained from this program will be shared with researchers and medical institutions worldwide, ensuring that it benefits patients suffering from both cancer and cardiovascular disease. This initiative is particularly timely, as recent studies indicate that 10% of cancer patients die from cardiovascular diseases, with many more experiencing chronic heart conditions due to cancer treatments. Addressing these risks is crucial for advancing global health outcomes, ensuring that cancer treatment does not jeopardize long-term cardiovascular health.

H.H. Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi emphasized the need to harness scientific and technological advancements to alleviate the suffering of those affected by cancer and cardiovascular diseases. She stressed that collaborative efforts should prioritize human well-being and health stability.

The Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence will serve as a vital resource for researchers, healthcare providers, and families affected by these serious health conditions. Sheikha Jawaher stated, “Today, science has provided us with unprecedented tools, creating new avenues of hope and tangible progress in public health. What was once a distant aspiration is now achievable. We look forward to the innovative solutions that will arise from these dedicated professionals, as well as the improved health outcomes for patients and the reassurance for their families.”

She also expressed pride in promoting Sharjah and the UAE as supporters of this significant medical research initiative focused on cardiovascular health in cancer patients, commending the compassionate and professional global team involved.

During her visit, Sheikha Jawaher toured the hospital’s facilities, received updates on the Cardio-Oncology Centre of Excellence’s stages, and learned about the advanced technologies being employed. She also interacted with patients experiencing heart issues following cancer treatments.

Sheikha Jawaher held discussions with the program’s medical and research teams, praising their vital work in addressing pressing health challenges. She affirmed that their advancements could potentially transform millions of lives globally.

Additionally, the program aims to build cooperative networks with academic and research institutions worldwide to enhance research methodologies and the credibility of results. It plans to a specialized clinical research group to disseminate findings and maximize benefits, while also developing artificial intelligence algorithms for the diagnosis, care, prediction, and prevention of cardiotoxicity.

The initiative will contribute to establishing the UK’s first biobank to store crucial disease-related data, develop a global patient registry network in collaboration with international organizations, and applications to support its goals. It will also implement training programs for doctors and specialists.

Royal Brompton Hospital is one of the UK’s largest specialized centers for heart and lung diseases and is recognized as a leading facility in Europe and worldwide, particularly in researching lung diseases affected by cancer treatment.