The Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, SKMC, is setting a global benchmark for excellence in the treatment of the country's paediatric congenital heart disease surgery cases, said Dr. Aref Al Shehhi, Deputy CEO, after the completion of its milestone 2,500th surgery during the summer.

"SKMC is committed to putting patients first, regardless of the emirate in which they are a resident, and irrespective of their race, nationality, or socio-economic status. If our world-class, pioneering physicians can save lives, they will, no matter how complex the surgeries may be. We believe we are setting a global benchmark for the treatment of the country's paediatric cardiac patients," said Dr. Al Shehhi.

"We have always worked as a team at SKMC, like a 12 person orchestra. Every day we are saving lives and improving the ongoing quality of life of our patients with congenital heart disease, some of whom are only hours old," said Dr. Laszlo Kiraly, Consultant and Division Head, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, consultant cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist at SKMC, and Chair of Cardiac Sciences Institute, added, "We regularly perform complex surgeries that would otherwise have to be performed overseas at great risk to the patients, as well as cost to the government. The paediatric cardiac centre here at SKMC has completely removed those burdens while acting as a tremendous source of pride for the entire hospital and SEHA system."

SKMC's Paediatric Cardiology Programme, which began in April 2007, acts as a referral centre for the entire region, with patients coming from all seven emirates as well as from outside of the UAE, to benefit from its internationally-recognised standards of excellence.

SKMC is managed by Cleveland Clinic and is a part of the SEHA HealthSystem.