SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - UAE Interact

258 U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S Y E A R B O O K 2 0 0 8‘To ensure that accessand standards areconsistent, genuineaccreditation standardsand a rigorous systemof inspection andquality control acrossall institutions arerequired to lift theoverall standardof health care inthe Emirate.’both Abu Dhabi and Baltimore in the United States, while acollaborative relationship has been established between the JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine Faculty with the Emirateof Abu Dhabi's Medical Education Programme.HAAD also concluded a long-term agreement with the NewEngland Centre for Children (NECC), under the terms of whichthe award-winning Massachusetts-based institute will establish acomprehensive education programme and other much-neededservices for children affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD)and their families.Overall, Abu Dhabi Executive Council Policy Agenda points out:‘To ensure that access and standards are consistent, genuineaccreditation standards and a rigorous system of inspection andquality control across all institutions are required to lift theoverall standard of health care in the Emirate. Moreover, thesemeasures need to be accompanied by programmes to upgradethe qualification of doctors, nurses and paramedics, as well asintensified and mandated continuous medical education.’HAAD coordinates its activities with the Federal Ministry ofHealth and its advisory council.NEW HOSPITALSThe Ministry of Health has responsibility for the planning andconstruction of new hospitals, clinics, laboratories, cardiac centresand nursing schools costing over Dh2 billion in Dubai and theother Northern Emirates, including reconstruction of the 200-bed Hope Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai at a total cost of Dh350million; a Dh25 million dental clinic at Hor Al Anz and a radiationprotection laboratory.Plans for Sharjah include a 200-bed obstetrics and gynaecologyhospital costing Dh350 million, five primary health clinics, aDh28 million dental clinic at Khor Fakkan, and a Dh20 millionopen heart surgery centre, which will be the first of its kind inthe Northern Emirates.In Ajman a Dh150 million extension at the Sheikh KhalifaHospital, which will be completed by the end of 2008, will house