DIFC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with DHCA to Widen Healthcare Provision

- Agreement allows healthcare organisations registered within the DHCA to operate inside the DIFC
- Partnership is in line with government’s well-being initiatives to broaden healthcare provision and access across the Emirate
- Move will continue to increase the international attractiveness and competitiveness of the DIFC community

Dubai-UAE: 27 January 2017 – Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, the entity overseeing the largest financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA). Signed by Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority and Dr Ramadan AlBlooshi, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory, the partnership agreement establishes a framework allowing healthcare organisations registered within Dubai Healthcare City to operate inside the financial centre.

Commenting on the agreement, Arif Amiri said: “The 21,000 people who live and work in the DIFC need convenient access to high quality healthcare. We can provide this more easily by working closely with the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. This agreement demonstrates how the DIFC is committed to providing a full range of world-class amenities, which will reinforce our position as one of the most prestigious business and lifestyle destinations in the region.”

The agreement specifies that the DHCR will be responsible for licensing  hospitals, clinics and medical centres in line with its high quality standards. As per the agreement, DHCR will also play a supervisory role in regulating the healthcare services to ensure best practice and that they are compliant with rules and regulations as well as deal with complaints against the medical establishments. DIFC will continue to issue trade licenses and other free zone business operating business requirements as for all other businesses.

Emphasising the importance of the partnership, Dr AlBlooshi said, “Through this partnership we are able to extend our renowned healthcare standard to DIFC, enabling yet another community within the emirate of Dubai, to provide world class healthcare and wellness services on par with those provided in DHCC.”

“We will continue to seek such partnerships which play an important role in developing the health sector across Dubai to help achieve the Dubai Plan 2021 objective of creating a ‘City of Happy, Creative and Empowered people’, whose residents are educated, cultured and healthy,” he added.