International building code for healthcare facilities

Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, has emphasised his Ministry's commitment to adopting and implementing international best standards on planning, designing, building, management and operation of healthcare facilities, as part of efforts to make a quantum leap in development of the health sector.

In a statement to mark World Health Day, Al Nuaimi said the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW)  is currently undertaking 11 health projects across the country.

''It is implementing the highest international building standards and codes on health facilities to ensure that timely, high quality healthcare services are delivered to patients,'' he said, adding that world-class health infrastructures would elevate the UAE's position as a world premier healthcare provider.

He indicated that the Ministry's planners, designers and architects were getting training at international institutions and visiting international projects to enrich their knowledge and experiences as part of the Ministry's strategy to implement UAE Vision 2021.

One of the major health projects being undertaken by the Ministry is the Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, which is the first-of-its-kind in the UAE that will offer comprehensive psychiatric care. Spanning 54,000 square metres and with 272 beds, the hospital will be built following the best international standards and practices, as well as green architecture standards for health facilities.