HRH Princess Haya Announces Dubai Healthcare City Reorganization

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012

Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) under the guidance of its Chairperson, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today announced changes to the organisation structure and the leadership team responsible for executing DHCA’s vision and business strategy. The reorganization further supports HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to establish a state-of-the-art center for integrated medical services, research and education and quality healthcare, positioning the organization as a reliable and credible partner to the international healthcare community.

Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) under the guidance of its Chairperson, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, today announced changes to the organisation structure and the leadership team responsible for executing DHCA’s vision and business strategy. The reorganization further supports HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to establish a state-of-the-art center for integrated medical services, research and education and quality healthcare, positioning the organization as a reliable and credible partner to the international healthcare community.

Since its launch in 2002, DHCC has become a leading healthcare center of excellence in the region. With its strong internationally-recognized regulatory framework and healthcare infrastructure, DHCC has continued to strengthen its position as a premier medical tourism hub for the local and international community. Testament to DHCC’s success is the continued growth in number of international patients accessing healthcare services provided by more than 100 medical centres and two internationally-accredited hospitals.

Reaffirming HH Sheikh Mohammed’s commitment to investing in healthcare, education and research, Dubai Healthcare City has reorganized its core functions into two divisions, namely education and healthcare delivery. HRH Princess Haya, appointed Mr. Marwan Abedin as Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City. In his new capacity, Mr. Abedin will manage both the academic, Dubai Healthcare City Education (DHCE), and real estate and investment, Dubai Healthcare City Investments (DHCI), arms under Dubai Healthcare City, overseeing the overall business. Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi will head DHCE, the hub for DHCC’s educational and research components and home to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center (MBRM AMC) and other flagship projects such as the new dental specialist school, the first-of-its-kind medical simulation center and library as well as the continuing medical education programmes. Dubai Healthcare City Investments, the organization’s division responsible for ensuring DHCC continues to host a range of world-class providers, will to continue to be run by Dr. Ayesha Abdullah until December 2012.

At that same time (December 2012), Dr. Abdullah, as per HRH Princess Haya’s directives, will head a new governance structure that includes a new entity, Dubai Healthcare City Regulator (DHCR). DHCR comprises the current regulatory and licensing authority known as “Center for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ)”, which is currently headed by Dr. Abdulkareem Al Olama, and other regulatory functions such as commercial licensing and government services. DHCR will report directly to the DHCA Board and will serve as an independent licensing and regulatory authority for all healthcare providers, medical educational institutions and other businesses operating within the free zone. Dr. Al Olama, who will remain in his current position until December 2012, has been appointed head of a new initiative under the directives of HRH Princess Haya.

“In 2012 alone, over 500,000 patients sought healthcare services, as provided by more than 100 partners, in the world’s first healthcare free zone – a 25% increase from 2011,” stated HRH Princess Haya. “In line with DHCC’s medical tourism strategy, 15% of these patients are from outside of the UAE. DHCC medical centres have achieved consistent high levels of patient satisfaction, reaffirming the exceptional quality of care provided by the healthcare city’s medical providers.”

“The continued increase in the number of major national and international healthcare providers with presence in DHCC further endorses its position as a global medical centre,” continued HRH Princess Haya. “In the first nine months of 2012, 14 new medical centres have opened at DHCC and the number of pharmaceutical firms, medical equipment providers, insurance companies and other support services stand at over 180 to date. Much has been done this year, but there is still an enormous amount left to do in order to achieve HH Sheikh Mohammed’s original vision.”

The reorganization will further enhance DHCC’s portfolio and support its long-term business strategy.

“On behalf of HRH Princess Haya and Dubai Healthcare City Authority, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Mr. Abedin as CEO of Dubai Healthcare City,” stated HE Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson of DHCA. “He has an impressive track record of leadership, management and partnership and I am confident that in his new role, Mr. Abedin will go above and beyond the call of duty as we embark on this new era. Together, we will work to position DHCC as an investment that embodies HH Sheikh Mohammed’s commitment to His people and His country.”

Mr. Abedin is a member of the Board of Directors of Dubai Healthcare City Authority and a seasoned finance and investment specialist who brings over 15 years of experience and business acumen to Dubai Health Care City (DHCC). He continues to work closely with major federal and local government departments and corporations from across the region as well as internationally. Mr. Abedin currently sits on the Board of Emaar Properties PJSC and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Financial Support Fund.

“I am extremely honoured to be entrusted by HRH Princess Haya in this new role,” stated Mr. Abedin. “As CEO, I remain committed to positioning Dubai Healthcare City as a reliable and credible partner to the international healthcare community.  With the development of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center, we continue to make research and education a key priority, positioning these components at the forefront of our multi-disciplinary approach. I look forward to working with our board of directors and management team alongside our strong clinical partner base to build on DHCC’s success and further implement HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision to create an internationally renowned site and centre for integrated medical services.”