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UAE PLANS 18 NEW PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRES

August 16, 2005

A new multimillion-dollar primary healthcare centre has been opened in Al Naema in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first of 18 new primary healthcare centres planned for the region. The new clinic, the largest of its kind in the area, will not only provide general medical treatment but will also increase public awareness about illnesses such as diabetes and breast cancer, through a number of educational programmes. Diabetes affects over 20% of the population in the UAE, four times the world average. It is estimated that over 50% of the population are at risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime, primarily due to life-style factors.

The UAE has been investing heavily of late in its healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, recently spending AED235mn (US$63.98mn) on eight new drug production facilities. Another important development is the Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The super-project is currently in phase I development and will provide for the leisure, treatment and research requirements of the industry in the country.