SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - UAE Interact

260 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 8August 2007 and plans for the emirate also envisage a Dh10 millionhealth centre and a Dh25 million nursing institute.In Fujairah, Dh25 million will be spent on building a nursingschool and Dh60 million to add a maternity and childcare wardat Fujairah Hospital. The Masafi Hospital, which cost Dh70 million,opened at the end of 2007.The upmarket, private Dh370 million, 160-bed Royal Hospitalin Sharjah was also opened in early 2007.DUBAI STRATEGIC PLANHealth issues are a primary concern of the Dubai Strategic Plan2015, which sets out to raise the quality of healthcare services andthe well-being of the population. This will be achieved, it claims,by improving governance of the healthcare sector and healthcareplanning; ensuring access to health insurance; encouraging privatehospitals to gain international accreditation; developing licensingstandards for medical staff; and focusing on health awareness toimprove public attitudes towards health.In a move that could act as a template for other Ministry ofHealth public-private partnerships, a consultancy team from DHCChas been given the task of upgrading medical services at the AlBaraha Hospital in partnership with Harvard Medical International.The provision of worldclasshealth facilitiesand educationalinstitutions is alsocentral to the planningof the free zone DubaiHealthcare City, aninitiative by Dubaigovernment-owneddeveloper Tatweer.Dubai Healthcare CityThe provision of world-class health facilities and educationalinstitutions is also central to the planning of the free zone DubaiHealthcare City (DHCC), an initiative by Dubai governmentowneddeveloper Tatweer. Infrastructure spending on this freezonedevelopment will reach Dh6.6 billion (US$1.8 billion).The first phase, behind Wafi City in Dubai, is approximately380,902 square metres (4.1 million square feet) in size. The secondphase, dedicated to wellness facilities, will cover about 176,515square metres (1.9 million square feet) and is due for completionby 2010.DHCC announced in mid-2007 the establishment of the worldrenownedBoston University Institute for Dental Research andEducation Dubai and the Boston University Dental Health Centre