Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) organised a forum today to share its future vision and ambitions to increase investment in the healthcare sector with international investors and business owners in the healthcare field.

The forum, which discussed the Certificate of Needs,’ guidelines for healthcare investors was launched today by the authority as part of the Dubai Investment Week in partnership with Dubai FDI, the investment development agency of Dubai Economy.

The forum was attended by H.E Humaid Al Qutami, Director General of the DHA, H.E Sami Al Qamzi Director General of the Department of Economic Development, Dubai  and H.E Fahad Al Gergawi CEO of Dubai FDI. 

During the event, the authority revealed its plans to develop “Certificate of Need” (CON) policies and guidelines with input from the private sector to help further bolster the health sector and promote need-based investments so that there is equilibrium in the sector and to avoid imbalances in supply and demand in health services. The move also aims to provide patients with access to a wide range of medical specialties.

Last year, DHA launched a comprehensive Health Investment Guide, which provides in-depth details of demand, supply (which includes future supply) and gaps in the health sector. The investment guide helps promote investment in need-based areas and supports investors. Now, adding a CON guidelines and policies will provide further clarity to investors and help them invest in areas of priority and need.

The authority revealed that it looks forward to receive the input and feedback of the private sector prior to developing the “Certificate of Need” policies and guidelines through the forum stressing that the private healthcare sector is the strategic partner of the authority in enhancing Dubai’s healthcare sector.

During his opening speech Al Qutami said the forum comes at an ideal time, in light of the announcement of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, which stated that there has been distinct growth rates in foreign direct investment in Dubai during the first quarter of 2019.

Al Qutami added: “When His Highness the Crown Prince of Dubai says: "We are going to reach the first place in the world in attracting investment." This is a clear declaration of Dubai's ability to overcome all challenges, as well as its ability to take the lead in the most competitive international arena. We derive from this the incentive to succeed and excel. It is also a motivation to implement the healthcare sector investment policy adopted by His Highness.”

Al Qutami said that the Certificate of Needs,’ guidelines for healthcare investors forum aims to establish the Authority's commitment to Dubai's aspirations and to draw an integrated future of promising investment opportunities and related medical specialties and growing services.

“The DHA has come a long way in the health investment sector, through policies and strategies adopted to reflect the unique investment climate of Dubai compared to other cities around the world. Numbers can best describe this growth as the number of health facilities in Dubai’s private healthcare sector increased from 2,871 in 2015 to 3,401 in 2019.This increase can be attributed to the incentives Dubai offers international healthcare investors,” he said

The main session of the forum saw international healthcare investment expert Mark Britnell discuss the international investment trends in the healthcare sector.

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Mahmoud Al Ali
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+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. 

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services, which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

In May 2018, H.H Sheikh Mohammed, issued Law No. (6) Of 2018 of the DHA. The new Law further enables the DHA to achieve its objectives including regulating medical services in Dubai, enhancing competiveness and transparency, improving medical services and products based on international best practices and achieving the sector’s objectives according to approved strategic plans.

According to the Law, DHA will ensure the availability of quality medical insurance programmes, improve medical services according to the highest international standards, contribute to providing attractive infrastructure for investments, boost Dubai’s position as a global hub for medical tourism and medical education, encourage innovation in the healthcare sector and improve preventive healthcare measures.

The Law specified DHA’s responsibilities to include preparing a comprehensive strategic plan for Dubai’s healthcare sector, conducting studies and surveys to define Dubai’s future needs and matching the results with future investments, licensing and monitoring medical workers and medical facilities according to DHA’s approved regulations. Its responsibilities also include regulating medical education and medical research in collaboration with competent local and international authorities and drafting and developing policies and procedures for the healthcare sector in Dubai.

The Law authorises DHA to regulate and approve the prices of medical services offered by private healthcare facilities in Dubai and ensure the quality of medical services. DHA is also responsible for regulating and facilitating the sending of patients for specialised medical treatment to healthcare facilities both within and outside the country, regulating and overseeing medical tourism in collaboration with concerned authorities, managing and developing policies that govern medical insurance and regulating medical advertising in Dubai.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed also issued Decree No. 17 of 2018 establishing subsidiaries of the DHA: the Dubai Healthcare Corporation and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation to further enhance healthcare services in Dubai and enable DHA to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations.

Three new strategic sectors were also added as part of the decree; they include Strategy and Corporate Development, Health Regulation, and Shared Support Services.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta Hospitals, its 12 primary healthcare centres, 17 medical fitness centres and its 6 specialty centres.

For more information, visit DHA’s website: www.dha.gov.ae 

© Press Release 2019

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