Dubai Crown Prince announces the launching of Dubai Healthcare City

The total cost of the project is estimated to be 1.8 billion dollars.

H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed said at the launch of this new strategic initiative that the project would include setting up prestigious and respected institutions that specialize in healthcare as well as establishing university medical complex for medical education and life sciences.

He added, "We are aware of our commitment to strengthening our position in the global economy and integrating the changes required to achieve further development in new fields. We announce today a new initiative in health care sector which is the launching of Dubai Healthcare City. Dubai Healthcare City aims at transforming Dubai to a hub of world-class healthcare in the region."

His highness said that the launch of the project came as a result of the awareness to give more importance to diverse sectors and further strengthen the infrastructure as well as to affirm the position of Dubai as a vital center in the region that extends from Europe to Eastern Asia.

He added, "We think that the best feature of this project is its crucial role in improving the medical services available in the region and providing high quality of treatment and services. Healthcare is the most vital and valuable necessity for individuals. In the absence of effective healthcare individuals, families and as well as the economy suffers."

Mr. Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman, Dubai Development and Investment Authority said that the project of Dubai Healthcare City is considered as the first strategic project to be implemented by DDIA. It comes as a response to the huge demand for healthcare services in the region and the world and represents a qualitative addition to the infrastructure of Dubai. He said that the project is going to be established besides the Dubai Creek Park. It will contribute to transforming UAE to healthcare destination and hub for medical sciences that will attract patients from the entire region.

He added that the positive influences of establishing the city will not only be to achieve a valuable step in medical services but it will contribute as well in giving more self-reliance to the UAE economy and boosting diverse activities in the local and business sector.

Mr. Gergawi said in a press conference held at the Emirates Towers, "Launching the Dubai Healthcare City represents a vital response for increasing demand on medical services in the region and the world. Besides the city will help in increasing the awareness of the patients about the importance of having world class medical services, scientific developments in medical fields, diagnostic and treatment facilities. The healthcare services in the region, that extends from Europe to Eastern Asia including Middle East, Eastern Asia and North East Africa and India suffers from basic shortcomings in medical services."

He added, "The medical sector in the region constituting the 31 states with a population of 1.8 billion is expanding rapidly and it is expected that for the first time at the regional level comprehensive healthcare facilities will be available under one roof. The studies conducted by DDIA affirm that the city will strengthen the position of UAE not only as an important destination for health services but an attractive center for medical professionals such as doctors, specialists and researchers."

He added that Dubai Healthcare City will include a campus that will comprise university hospital, medical college, nursing school and centre for life sciences researches, hospitals, clinics and specialized laboratories. The campus will provide the most modernized medical services focusing on health problems facing patients in the region including cardiology, diabetes, urology, oncology, paediatrics, orthopaedics etc. The medical college will contribute in filling the gap in the region for specialized medical education and research. At the same time it will play a vital role in attracting medical specialists to work in the region and for the region."

He said that the project includes a research centre for life sciences focusing on regional specific medical areas. It will be a base for developing techniques and a regional center for gathering medical statistics. The City will also provide doctors the opportunity to conduct research, publish and present results of their studies and strengthen co-operation with centres and global research bodies.

Mr. Gergawi said, "The health and medical services at the University Medical Complex in the city will provide comprehensive services including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, rehabilitation centers, institutions for distance consultancy and health statistics which support medical services, education and knowledge. The facilities in the city also include diagnostic center, centre for sports medicine and nutrition center."

The support services for patients at the Dubai Healthcare City will include hospitality services such as five star luxury hotel facilities and health resort and spas.

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