DUBAI: Chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , today outlined the priorities and the plan of action for the new DHCA board appointed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.
The newly appointed board will play a leading role in fulfilling HH Sheikh Mohammeds vision for a center of medical excellence that will improve healthcare in the UAE and establish Dubai as an international medical and healthcare hub. Acting under the authority Law No. 9 of 2011, the DHCA board will oversee and manage the Dubai Healthcare City free zone, realigning it as an internationally renowned centre for integrated medical services. The boards strategic powers and duties include reviewing the DHCAs policies and operational plans; determining investment opportunities in the free zone; and appointing specialized consultants to assist in defining DHCAs initiatives. The board will oversee a new governance structure that will include a new entity (DHCR), The Dubai Healthcare City Regulatory arm, which will include the current regulatory and licensing authority known as "The Center of Planning and Quality (CPQ)". DHCR will report directly to the DHCA Board and will serve as an independent licensing and regulatory authority for all healthcare providers, medical educational institutions and other businesses operating within the free zone. As specified in Law No. 9, board members will be accountable to HRH Princess Haya, who reiterated Her intention to fulfill HH Sheikh Mohammeds vision and to address issues and concerns that were brought to Her attention in meetings with DHCAs stakeholders last month."The formation of the DHCA board is a direct result of the amalgamation of HH Sheikh Mohammeds original vision with the consolidated efforts of the Dubai Health Care Authority and input from key stakeholders," stated HRH Princess Haya. "By keeping pace with the specific needs and goals of the Authority, these highly qualified board members will enhance the creativity of DHCA and make it a decision-based driven organization. They bring to this important task extensive knowledge of regional and international healthcare issues, as well as management, operations and governance skills, to create a foundation that will improve healthcare in Dubai and, in the long term, position DHCA as a healthcare leader on the world stage. With the new board in place, and with HH Sheikh Mohammeds continued support, I have no doubt that His vision for Dubai Healthcare City will become a reality."HRH Princess Haya said the board will work to advance all of the planned components of the healthcare free zone and its centerpiece, the Mohammad Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center.
The working plans for the Mohammad Bin Rashid Academic Medical Center anticipate the creation of a comprehensive medical hub offering all of the key elements of modern healthcare. When fully completed, the complex will include a high-quality university hospital with specialized services needed in Dubai, the UAE and the region; a postgraduate medical and dental program; a postgraduate nursing school; and a biomedical research support center. As a top priority and in close cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority, the university hospital will be incorporated into a larger framework of hospitals in Dubai that will provide high-quality care for patients and a wide variety of learning opportunities for students and resident doctors pursuing careers as specialized physicians, nurses or other healthcare professionals. HRH Princess Haya said the DHCA board will work closely with the Dubai Health Authority to come up with the best healthcare model to serve Dubai. She said the appointment of HE Qadhi Al Murooshid, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, to the DHCA board would help ensure that the two entities work in close consultation. HRH Princess Haya said the DHCA board would also continue to work with existing stakeholders within Dubai Healthcare City to take the free zone to a new level of medical excellence. Recent meetings with various stakeholders attended by HRH Princess Haya and her representatives have highlighted the need for a better understanding of local and regional requirements, including the need to harmonize licensing processes and other steps to improve the attractiveness of DHCC as a regional medical hub. "We have heard many good suggestions from businesses and other entities within Dubai Healthcare City and the larger healthcare community that will help us achieve our goals," She said. "Together, we can make Dubai a regional and global model for top-quality healthcare." Joining HRH Princess Haya, Ms. Raja Al Gurg and HE Qadhi Al Murooshid on the board are Mr. Marwan Iqbal Mohammed Abdullah Abdeen, Dr. Ayyub Abdullah Badri, Former Director of the Dubai Educational District, Nart Mamser, Health Advisor and Director of the Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Dr. Khalid Abdullah Al Zahed, Director of Development & Corporate Performance Dept. Chairman of DAST Award Roads & Transport Authority, Dr Sihamuddin Galadari, Associate Professor Associate Dean for Research Dept of Biochemistry UAE University, and Dr. Adnan Abu Hammour, Consultant Gastroenterologist.Al Gurg, well-known for her contributions to the UAEs education system and a very successful business woman, will serve under HRH Princess Haya as the boards Vice-Chairperson. Ms. Al Gurg currently oversees 26 companies across the Emirates and was nominated by HH Sheikh Mohammed to become the President of the Dubai Womens Council, a body that functions under the auspices of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
"I am honored to have been given this opportunity to work on a project that I believe will be very beneficial for the people of Dubai," stated Ms. Al Gurg. "I consider the university hospital a top priority because education is the backbone of any endeavor and the key to future growth and prosperity. Medical expertise, coupled with clinical education and training, is essential to sustaining high quality healthcare in the region and ensuring that young Emiratis who have interest in healthcare today have a chance to become the doctors of tomorrow."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
