Dubai based international architecture firm RMJM has launched its Global Health & Science Studio, to provide an answer to the growing demand for healthcare infrastructure in the GCC.

The aim is to better serve the growing trend of international collaborations between leading western institutions and their GCC partners, as well as to better focus on the specific challenges of its GCC-based clients, by bringing together its dedicated experts from throughout its network.

Amidst the outbreak of swine flu, RMJM is also announcing a new approach to hospital design which will strengthen the GCC’s capacity to manage infectious diseases.

It is estimated that the GCC will face an unparalleled and unprecedented rise in demand for health care over the course of the next two decades. Total health-care spending in the region is forecasted to reach Dh220 billion in 2025, up from Dh44 billion today. The rising population and longer life expectancies in this region will correlate directly with the demand and supply of healthcare facilities.

The Health & Science Studio will promote the findings of RMJM’s extensive research into how structural design can be applied to better prevent the spread of dangerous infections in the GCC hospitals. These include new design models for isolation zones and directing airflow to keep staff and patients safe from threatening gases or infections.

“Our research shows that we can control airflow in a way that makes the hospital environment safer for staff and patients. Through a process which we call 'forensic architecture', which constantly analyses data during a building’s design and construction, we are exploring ways of minimising the risk of the spread of infections like SARS or H1N1,” said Benny Chow, RMJM senior associate and building aerodynamics expert on infectious disease.

“We have had a strong presence in the GCC and Asia for over 30 years, with offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, and therefore have an unparalleled track record and an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this sector, which most recently have focused on avoiding widespread health threats and improving environmental sustainability,” added David Pringle, RMJM chief, Asia and Middle East.-TradeArabia News Service