PHOTO
- H.E. Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) inaugurated the centre
- Quironsalud Dubai is the group’s first centre outside Europe and Latin America
- The AED 45 million centre is the largest Spanish healthcare investment in the UAE and the Middle East.
- “Confident of Dubai’s business advantages,” says Centre’s Medical Director
- Solar panels will supply one-third of the energy needed at the Centre
Dubai, UAE: In a bid to promote medical tourism in Dubai, His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) inaugurated the Quironsalud Barcelona Ophthalmological Institute in Dubai on Tuesday.
The Dh45 million day surgery centre is part of the Quironsalud Group, the largest healthcare group in Spain, which has 44 hospitals spread across 14 regions in Spain and Latin America.
The new centre is the group’s first foray outside Europe and Latin America and by far the largest Spanish healthcare investment in the UAE and the Middle East.
The ophthalmological centre is equipped with cutting–edge equipment and is home to a multi-disciplinary team of doctors who cover all ophthalmology subspecialties.
Some of the services provided by the centre include cataract surgery, retina and vitreous surgery, oculoplastic surgery, refractive surgery, glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, clinical optometry and ocular traumatology, to name a few.
Al Qutami inaugurated the centre in the presence of Spain’s ambassador to the UAE H.E Antonio Álvarez Barthe, H.E. Dr. Nasser Khalifa Al Budoor, Assistant Undersecretary of Ministry of Health and Prevention and Director of Dubai Medical District and Jose Maria Perez de Olacoechea, the International General Manager of Quironsalud Group.
Commenting on the inauguration, Al Qutami said Dubai’s unique geographic location, infrastructure and investment opportunities have made the city a favourable destination for medical investment as it provides an ideal environment for the development and success of international and multinational private hospitals.
“The new centre is a valuable addition to the health sector in Dubai and will support the authority in achieving Dubai’s health tourism goals of attracting more than 500,000 international health tourists to Dubai by 2020. Choosing Dubai to launch its first centre in the Middle East is a testimonial to Dubai's international standing and reflects the opportunities offered by Dubai for this kind of investment. We see the private sector as a strategic partner in our developmental drive. We are constantly working on developing the healthcare sector keeping in mind patient safety, high quality health services and excellent patient experience.”
Furthermore, Dubai has the necessary processes and regulations—put in place by the DHA and are based on international standards—to ensure their smooth and successful operation.
Barthe said, “Launching the centre in Dubai will strengthen its objectives to attract medical tourists who are looking for a unique treatment experience.”
He added that he foresees more Spanish health facilities studying the prospects of investing in Dubai due to the package of incentives and an attractive investment environment.
The Group operates under the umbrella of Fresenius Helios Germany, which has more than 100 years of experience in healthcare, innovation, scientific research.
"The Quironsalud Group is proud to expand its activities into Dubai and the GCC,” said Hector Celia, CEO of the Group. "We are confident of the competitiveness of Dubai and the advantages the city offers in supporting our business growth across the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, particularly due to its advanced logistics and connectivity to neighbouring markets.”
Celia added: "Dubai is an ideal platform to connect with our customers outside of Spain and Latin America, and also a bridge to reach out to more than 2.2 billion people living across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, thus growing our business in the region and beyond.”
The Quironsalud Barcelona Ophthalmological Institute in Umm Al Sheif on Dubai’s Al Wasl Street is a 25,000 square-foot, environmentally friendly facility, said Dr Miguel Marcellio, Medical Director of the Centre.
One-third of the energy required in the Centre is generated through solar panels. The Centre provides state-of-the-art treatment supported by advanced technology and equipment for ultrasound diagnostics and eye and nerve scans, as well as skilled medical and technical staff.
"Dubai is a vital hub for the healthcare industry in the region and its efforts to develop medical tourism," said Mr Marcellio. "The Quironsalud Group is convinced of the importance of having a headquarters in Dubai, especially for ophthalmology. Now that we have a foothold in the UAE we will be looking to expand to other disciplines such as sports medicine, knee and bone surgery and reconstructive medicine.”
-Ends-
For further information, please contact:
Mahmoud Al Ali
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority
+9714 219 7260
Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority
klgupta@dha.gov.ae nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455
About the Dubai Health Authority:
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.
The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.
In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.
The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff. It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.
Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.
© Press Release 2018Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
