In a move that could reshape children’s healthcare across the Gulf, teams from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital—one of the top-ranked paediatric hospitals in the United States—are now working alongside doctors at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi.
The collaboration, announced earlier this year, aims to transform Abu Dhabi into a regional hub for advanced paediatric medicine, research, and training, strengthening the emirate’s standing as a global destination for specialised healthcare.
Already on site are multidisciplinary teams in cardiology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, and oncology, conducting surgeries and joint consultations with Emirati physicians.
“The dedication to patient-centred care here mirrors our own,” said Dr. Daniel von Allmen, Regional President at Cincinnati Children’s. “When we evaluate partners, we look for cultural alignment—and we found that immediately with SKMC.”
For Dr. Mohamed Alseiari, Acting Chief Medical Officer at SKMC, the partnership marks both progress and continuity.
“Our ambition is to become a regional referral centre and a benchmark for children’s care,” he said. “We are not replacing our doctors—we’re enhancing their capabilities. This will ensure families no longer have to travel abroad for specialised treatments.”
Under the first phase, the initiative will recruit 11 consultant-level physicians across five key specialties, supported by over 100 nurses and allied-health professionals. It will also introduce new paediatric units, advanced rehabilitation services, and a child life programme designed to ease anxiety for young patients and support their families throughout care.
The collaboration extends beyond clinical services—Cincinnati Children’s experts are advising on infrastructure upgrades, data-driven care, genetic medicine, and rare disease research, ensuring that SKMC’s standards align with leading U.S. and European institutions.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Dr. von Allmen noted. “In five years, SKMC will deliver services unavailable anywhere else in the Gulf—and families will know they can find world-class care right here at home.”
Ultimately, the partnership reflects the UAE’s broader vision of investing in health, innovation, and human development.
“Children are the future,” Dr. von Allmen added. “By investing in children’s health today, SKMC is investing in the well-being of generations to come.”
