Dubai Healthcare City-DHCC
BY SHELLY ACHAIBAR, DECEMBER 7, 2005
Dubai, known as the shopping capital of the Middle East famed for its gold market and often referred to as "the city of gold", is now establishing a new presence in healthcare. Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), an estimated 4.1 million square foot facility, will be completed and fully operational by 2010. The chairman of the Board of the DHCC, Saeed Al Muntafiq, has announced that investments in the project will total approximately $11 billion.
The goal is to provide state of the art medical care services to address healthcare problems within the region, but also to attract patients from abroad. The vision of Shiekh Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai is to create a global healthcare hub. The DHCC will consist of a university hospital, medical and nursing school, life sciences research and clinical studies center, day clinics, diagnostic laboratories, rehabilitation and wellness centers. Specialized areas of medical treatment will be in cardiology, oncology and orthopedics, specifically in sports medicine and musculoskeletal treatment.
DHCC has invited and partnered with many foreign institutions such has Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Johnson & Johnson in the U.S. and similar organizations in Great Britain and Germany. It's estimated that 30% of the doctors and researchers already registered to work in the region are from overseas, especially the US and Canada. Patients and visitors can expect to stay at five star luxury apartments with full amenities. The twin tower hotel is estimated to cost $860 million and will be ready to greet visitors by September 2007.
Harvard Medical School and DHCC have established a post graduate program which will offer clinical and research fellowships and specialty observerships. The Mayo Clinic will focus on areas of cardiovascular education and treatment. "This groundbreaking association with Dubai Healthcare City is a significant step for Mayo Clinic," said Hugh Smith, M.D., chair, Mayo Clinic Board of Governors. "It marks the first time that Mayo Clinic physicians will provide ongoing patient care supported by research and education outside the United States." Johnson and Johnson will fund research and development and conduct clinical studies.
Dubai is a popular vacation destination and is frequented by many visitors from India, North Africa and nearby Middle Eastern countries. The population is 1.35 million residents, but is accessible to 1.6 billion inhabitants stretching from the Middle East to Subcontinent, North Africa and Caspian Sea Region. It's already a hot spot for foreign investors and has shown great economic growth within the last 5 years. The expanding work force is made up of diversified and highly qualified people. DHCC will add to the already prosperous economy and will be another attractive alternative for medical tourists.
