What if patients could access world-class cancer treatment without leaving their own region? What if technology, expertise, and compassion worked together seamlessly to guide every step of a patient’s journey? For too long, these possibilities felt out of reach for many families in the Middle East and North Africa. Cancer is not merely a disease; it is a process that affects all aspects of the human life physically, emotionally and socially. In the past, healthcare systems were fragmented leaving patients with no option but to travel to foreign countries to get the attention they required.
Professor Redouane Samlali, a medical oncologist and President of the ONCORAD Group, has spent over forty years improving cancer care in the region. He started with a single clinic and a clear vision for patient-centered care. Over time, it grew into ONCORAD Group, a leading oncology center. Today, patients receive precise treatments using advanced technology, supported by teams of specialists working together. Every decision and every procedure focuses on the patient, creating a care experience that is personal, attentive, and fully coordinated.
From the very beginning, he and his co-founder, Dr. Omar Hajji, envisioned a healthcare model that focused on the person behind the disease. Patients receive a complete range of services, including radiotherapy, robotic surgery, advanced diagnostics, and psychosocial support. Every aspect of care shows empathy and a genuine understanding of each patient’s unique journey. The result exceeds treatment alone. It creates a healthcare experience rooted in dignity, hope, and the commitment to helping patients recover and thrive.
Creating a Cancer Care Experience That Values Patients
The foundation of ONCORAD rests on a fundamental insight: access to high-quality, integrated, and compassionate care is still a challenge in the region. Professor Samlali explains, “ONCORAD was born from a simple observation: access to quality, integrated, and compassionate care remains a challenge. We wanted to build a structure that combines medical expertise, technological innovation, and personalized patient support.”
From the outset, the vision was not simply to treat cancer but to address the entirety of the patient experience. Every dimension, physical, psychological, and social was to be considered in treatment planning. This philosophy guided early decisions on staffing, facility design, and clinical pathways, creating an environment in which patients felt valued, supported, and understood. Today, that holistic approach continues to underpin the organization’s strategy, shaping services and innovation alike.
Building a Trusted Reputation
ONCORAD’s recognition as the Middle East’s most trusted center for cancer treatment did not arise from a single achievement; it is the result of decades of consistent commitment to quality, ethics, and scientific rigor. “This recognition is the result of a constant commitment to quality, scientific rigor, and ethics. Several factors have contributed to it: the recruitment of highly qualified professionals, investment in state-of-the-art equipment, the development of personalized care pathways, and above all, a culture centered on patient respect and empathy,” Professor Samlali notes.
The group’s patient-first culture is reflected in every decision. Recruitment prioritizes not only clinical expertise but also empathy and dedication to patient care. State-of-the-art equipment, such as stereotactic radiotherapy machines and robotic surgical systems, ensures patients receive world-class treatment locally. Personalized care pathways integrate the expertise of oncologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, and genetic specialists to provide tailored treatment plans that consider the individual’s entire medical, psychological, and social context.
Harmonizing Technology and Humanity
Cancer treatment is a field where advanced technology and human compassion must go hand in hand. “At ONCORAD Group, we place humanity, excellence, and compassion at the heart of our mission. We firmly believe that technology has value only when guided by these principles,” Professor Samlali explains.
Every new medical technology adopted at ONCORAD is chosen with patient benefit and comfort in mind. Robotic surgery, cryoablation, stereotactic radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are all used to improve outcomes while ensuring a positive patient experience. “Our medical and paramedical teams work in synergy to provide precision medicine while ensuring attentive listening, personalized support, and comprehensive care. At ONCORAD Group, innovation serves the human relationship, always respecting the dignity and unique journey of each patient.”
With this approach, technology enhances the human touch rather than replacing it. Patients receive not only precise, state-of-the-art treatment but also empathetic care, clear communication, and genuine support throughout every step of their journey.
Cutting-Edge Treatments
ONCORAD Group offers an array of advanced oncology treatments tailored to the precise needs of each patient. These include stereotactic radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies, brachytherapy, cryoablation, and robotic surgery. By evaluating each cancer type individually, the team designs personalized interventions based on genetic and molecular profiling.
Precision medicine is central to this approach. Multidisciplinary discussions allow oncologists, radiotherapists, surgeons, and genetic specialists to collaborate, ensuring treatment plans are evidence-based and optimized for each patient. The goal is to reduce the burden of travel for treatment and to deliver world-class care locally.
Personalized Care Pathways
The hallmark of ONCORAD’s approach is truly personalized care. “Each patient benefits from a personalized treatment plan developed during multidisciplinary meetings involving oncologists, radiotherapists, surgeons, genetic biologists, and other specialists,” Professor Samlali emphasizes.
Using decision-support systems informed by the latest research, the team tailors therapies to each patient’s unique needs. Patients are guided and supported throughout the entire process, ensuring they understand every step and feel secure and cared for. This mix of medical precision and human empathy embodies ONCORAD’s philosophy: treating the disease while always honoring the individual behind it.
Milestones of Innovation
ONCORAD’s journey is marked by a series of firsts that have shaped oncology in the African and Middle Eastern regions:
- 2002: First prostate brachytherapy performed in Africa.
- 2015: First radiosurgery and stereotactic treatment certified by Novalis.
- 2017: Installation of the world’s first Halcyon system and Africa’s first HIPEC procedure.
- 2024: Installation of Africa’s first surgical robot, the first robotic surgery and tele-surgery, and a world record for tele-surgery across 12,000 kilometers.
- 2025: First cryoablation in North Africa, completion of over 300 robotic surgeries, and installation of Morocco’s first radiosurgery robot.
“In oncology, our network has achieved several ‘firsts,’” Professor Samlali remarks, illustrating the group’s enduring commitment to innovation. These milestones not only demonstrate technical excellence but also reflect ONCORAD’s dedication to making advanced care accessible within the region.
Global Collaboration and Recognition
ONCORAD maintains strong partnerships with international centers and research institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and advancing therapeutic innovation. These collaborations ensure that the group’s practices are aligned with global standards while also showcasing African expertise.
A landmark achievement was ONCORAD’s publication in Advances in Radiation Oncology, the first for an African oncology center. The study focused on a combined treatment for prostate cancer using HDR brachytherapy and external radiotherapy. “This international recognition highlights not only our commitment to scientific excellence but also our ability to showcase African expertise in oncology while aligning with global standards,” Professor Samlali notes.
Research and Lifelong Learning
Research is a cornerstone of ONCORAD’s mission. The group supports clinical and translational projects and encourages its physicians to publish, innovate, and pursue continuous education. Workshops, training sessions, and conferences cover advanced techniques, including robotic surgery and cryoablation.
Continuous learning ensures the team remains at the forefront of medical innovation while providing safe, effective, and compassionate care. This culture of research and education demonstrates that ONCORAD’s commitment extends beyond treatment to the advancement of knowledge itself.
The Future of Oncology in the Region
Cancer incidence in Africa and the Middle East is projected to rise as life expectancy increases, presenting significant public health challenges. Professor Samlali emphasizes that investment in infrastructure, human resources, and training must keep pace with the growing demand.
By anticipating these trends, ONCORAD is positioning itself as a regional leader capable of delivering advanced, patient-centered care while maintaining high standards in safety, ethics, and outcomes.
Leadership in Healthcare
Leading a healthcare organization in oncology requires vision, resilience, and ethical integrity. “We must constantly innovate, recruit, train, and invest, all while maintaining a human dimension. To meet these challenges, I rely on shared governance, a clear vision, and a dedicated team—never losing sight of our primary mission: to serve health through patient-centered care,” Professor Samlali explains.
His leadership prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and responsibility, ensuring that all decisions are guided by the best interests of patients while fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment.
Distinctive Care Model
ONCORAD’s distinction lies not only in technology but also in its holistic, multidisciplinary approach. The creation of the Cité de la Santé (Health City) integrates oncology with cardiology, surgery, nuclear medicine, medical imaging, and laboratory services, all under one roof.
“This organization enables coordinated, seamless, and patient-centered care—from diagnosis to post-treatment follow-up. It fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals, shortens treatment times, and significantly enhances care quality,” Professor Samlali explains. This model demonstrates that technological innovation can harmoniously coexist with humane, patient-centered care.
Leadership Principles
Professor Samlali’s approach to leadership is guided by ethics, vision, and a strong sense of responsibility. “I believe in leadership rooted in vision, ethics, and responsibility. I strive to remain accessible to my teams, promote transparency in decision-making, and always keep the patient’s best interest at the center.”
He leads with resilience, careful listening, and adaptability, values that shape every decision and allow ONCORAD to navigate challenges while staying true to its mission of patient-centered care. His leadership style reflects a balance of authority and empathy, showing that guiding a healthcare organization successfully requires both strategic thinking and human understanding.
Guidance for Patients and Professionals
For patients, families, and those starting out in healthcare, Professor Samlali offers advice rooted in hope, dedication, and humility. “I would say: be curious, committed, and humble. Healthcare is demanding but deeply human. To patients and families, I say: never lose hope and surround yourselves with compassionate teams. To young professionals, I advise always putting science at the service of the heart—for that is where the true strength of a doctor lies.”
His words capture the heart of ONCORAD’s philosophy: that medical excellence should always serve humanity, and that compassion, respect, and dignity are just as essential as knowledge and skill in caring for others.
A Legacy of Compassion and Innovation
Professor Samlali and ONCORAD Group are living proof of what can be achieved when vision meets compassion. From pioneering treatments and cutting-edge research to building Africa’s first Health City, they have not only advanced oncology in the region but have also set a new standard for how care should feel: personal, humane, and precise.
As cancer becomes an increasingly pressing challenge across the Middle East and North Africa, ONCORAD has become more than a treatment center; it is a place where patients are seen, heard, and supported every step of the way. Under Professor Samlali’s leadership, the group shows that medicine is not just about technology or protocols, it is about people, hope, and the difference one committed team can make in countless lives.
