Dubai Healthcare Authority (DHA) said it has joined hands with Active-M Group and Royal Philips Electronics to develop a strategic framework for delivering and marketing a world-class continuous medical education (CME) academy of excellence.

The academy, based in Dubai, will offer both international and local accredited courses for all medical practitioners in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf states, said a top official.

The DHA, being a pioneer in introducing best practices in healthcare in the region, will provide the JV their premises to conduct courses, define the topics and workshops that are fully in line with the demand in the UAE and the GCC arena at large, and grant accreditation to participants as per the rules and regulations applicable in the UAE, said Dr Khalil Qayed, director of Medical Education at the DHA.

All the parties of the joint venture are very keen to make sure that the Dubai Academy for Continuous Medical Education opens its doors in maximum six months, he added.

The academy’s mission is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of patient care through innovative delivery and support of continuing professional development programs for health care professionals.

The Academy partners with medical education and communication companies and other organizations to provide certified continuing education for health care professionals.

It will deliver first-class accredited medical education to ensure up-to date knowledge and skill development for the community of regional medical practitioners at large.

The academy is an answer to the increasing demand for continuous medical education in the GCC region due to permanent influx of expat personnel requiring calibration of knowledge and training.

 “This is a great opportunity for the medical community to upgrade their knowledge and skills and to get in touch with high caliber scientists and experts to exchange their expertise. Such a platform whereby the private and the public sector work together for the benefit of the medical community is part of the DHA’s strategy as we believe that the private sector is one of our key stakeholders,” Dr Qayed added.

Active-M, a venture capital investment and advisory company with a special focus on the healthcare services segment in the region will finance and fully manage the joint venture. Active-M will co-ordinate between the different parties to ensure delivery on the agreed strategy.

Salam Saadeh, founder and CEO of the Active-M Group, said, 'We live in a highly demanding healthcare services community due to the high population growth, rapid ageing of the population, fast growth in chronic diseases, and chronic lack of medical personnel; among other things.'

'As such we, at Active-M, are very pleased to work alongside DHA and Philips on this exciting project that will aim to maintain and increase the quality of individual healthcare service through providing continuing education for the medical body”, she noted. 

“Philips, being a global leader in healthcare services and solutions will leverage its world-wide network with academic bodies for the benefit of the joint venture,” remarked Louis Hakim, VP of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO of Philips Middle East.

“Philips will also provide curriculum for topics that need regional development, in line with topics identified by the DHA clinical expertise”, he added.-TradeArabia News Service