Sharjah, Canada sign healthcare agreement

The Emirate of Sharjah and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen cooperation and advance the emirate’s medical services.

In the presence of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness The Ruler of Sharjah, signed the agreement with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, TCS.

The five-year renewable agreement comes as part of joint efforts by Sharjah and Canada to open up channels of investment in medical projects, exchange expertise and further advance the quality of healthcare in compliance with international standards.

Under the MoU, the Canadian government and Emirate of Sharjah will set out a range of action plans and strategies for healthcare related investment projects in order to provide the highest level of care for mothers and children. The agreement also provides for the setting up of a hospital specialising in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and a research centre dedicated to childhood illnesses at a cost of AED1 billion.

Commenting on the agreement, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi said, "The MoU truly reflects the UAE’s approach to activate international relations in terms of the health sectors. Sharjah regards medical excellence as one of its primary priorities and is committed to achieving an unrivalled healthcare environment, from infrastructure and health facilities to management strategies and elite medical staff."

Her Highness underlined that dedication to the quality of healthcare is not only reflected in the level of services and quality of treatment, as it also illustrates the emirate’s forward-thinking mindset, based on investment in human capital and the provision of a healthcare legacy for future generations.

The MoU aims to promote the importance of mutually beneficial partnerships between the Canadian Government and the emirate’s health sector in terms of project management and finance, as well as specific knowledge sharing between medical specialists, consultants, technicians and doctors and nurses.

Sharjah has made great strides in developing its healthcare sector, most notably the recent announcement of Sharjah Healthcare City which will cover an area of 2.4 million square metres. The first phase of the project is valued at AED 600 million, and the city is expected to be completed by 2020.

Sharjah’s vision for enhancing healthcare runs parallel with the development of the UAE’s health sector. The World Health Organisation has ranked the UAE among the world’s top 30 countries in terms of the performance of healthcare systems.

The agreement, which is in keeping with Sharjah’s vision to develop and maintain world-class levels of healthcare in Sharjah, was signed in presence of attendees, including Masoud Hussein, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE, Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Canadian Consul General in the UAE, Salem Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Environment Company, Bee’ah, and a number of other officials at Al Badea Place.