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Thursday, May 05, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai A new authority was announced yesterday to oversee the functions of Dubai Healthcare CityDubai Healthcare City and give a boost to the emirate as a medical tourism hub.
The Dubai Healthcare CityDubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) has been set up to also attract a whole spectrum of complementary industries ranging from drug manufacturers, research laboratories to pharmacies.
A law was issued yesterday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, establishing the DHCA.
Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of Shaikh Mohammad, has been appointed as president of the DHCA, which has full financial and administrative autonomy to achieve its objectives.
The massive 4.1 million square feet Healthcare CityHealthcare City currently accommodates two hospitals and 90 medical facilities including outpatient clinics and diagnostic laboratories.
Shaikh Mohammad had launched the development in 2000 to meet the demand for high-quality health care and, over the years, it has become home to many international health care brands.
The Healthcare CityHealthcare City has helped attract medical tourists from the neighbouring Gulf states who come here seeking a range of services from plastic surgery to treatment through alternative medicine.
One of the other mandates of the new authority is to attract top specialists professionals to the emirate. It will have to work hard since there is a huge shortage worldwide of nurses and specialist doctors.
The provisions in the law stipulate that the authority’s mandate includes establishing either by itself or in partnership with other entities, top-tier medical colleges and universities, nursing schools and a wide range of research, diagnostic, rehabilitation, nutrition and physiotherapy centres.Under the new legislation, the authority will assume responsibility for imposing and collecting fees for services rendered.
The DHCA will also oversee all transactions involving lands within Healthcare CityHealthcare City, including matters pertaining to the ownership, sale, leasing and mortgaging of properties and facilities under its ownership.
By Mahmood Saberi ?Senior Reporter
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