Dubai Healthcare City, a member of Tecom Investments Sciences Cluster, announced that it has registered sustained growth in 2010 with three more global pharmaceutical majors setting up a presence at the integrated healthcare free zone.

DHCC has particularly seen continued year on year increase in patient flow, receiving almost 400,000 patients in 2010.

Making the announcements on the sidelines of the Arab Health Congress 2011, Dr Ayesha Abdullah, managing director of the Sciences Cluster, Tecom Investments, said Eli Lily & Company, Bayer as well as BR Medical Suites have recently joined the portfolio of Dubai Healthcare City.

Over the past eight years, DHCC has grown into a cluster of over 90 outpatient medical centres and diagnostic laboratories, two JCI-accredited hospitals, as well as more than 150 commercial healthcare and retail services that follow stringent standards in healthcare delivery.

The 36th edition of Arab Health Exhibition and Congress opened on January 24 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and runs until January 27.

“We are delighted with our overall 2010 performance which welcomed new healthcare providers and services to Dubai Healthcare City and saw us spearheading major initiatives in CSR and partnership development,” said Dr Ayesha Abdullah.

In 2010, DHCC attracted new providers in various specialties including ENT, ayurvedic medicine, obstetrics and gynecology/fertility treatment, and internal medicine.

The Centre for Healthcare Planning and Quality (CPQ), the regulatory body for DHCC responsible for monitoring and upholding international best practice in healthcare quality and patient care within the free zone, licensed over2,000 healthcare professionals.

The Healthcare Management Forum  which runs alongside Arab Health, will provide healthcare leaders a platform to explore the entire spectrum of Healthcare Management responsibilities from cost management to patient flow and medical tourism, strategic concepts to practical tools.

DHCC has also launched an i-Phone application, allowing users to download a search directory that offers instant access to the list of doctors, clinics, specialties and insurance providers available at the facilities within the zone. The launch complemented DHCC’s Patients’ Rights Campaign and Charter that aims to educate the public on their healthcare rights and decisions.

A series of health education videos was also released to keep patients and the general public informed on current health issues that impact the community. The single-topic videos address syndromes such as diabetes, allergies, special needs, oral hygiene (dental), women’s health, IVF, eye care, beauty and skin and alternative medicine. The videos that offer symptoms and treatments, as well as health tips and latest medical procedures, can be accessed or downloaded from www.dhcc.ae/patient-videos.

An English version of the DHCC website was named the ‘Best Website of a Free Zone or Export Processing Zone’ at the World Free Zone Convention. The Arabic version followed, serving as an informative, interactive and professional resource.

As part of its mission to enhance the quality of life for individuals, Dubai Healthcare City has been running a series of community engagement initiatives, including breast cancer awareness, anti-smoking campaigns and blood drives. It has also received several awards for its CSR activities.-TradeArabia News Service