Dubai Healthcare City, the world's largest healthcare free zone, recently released its operational review, updating the market on projects across the range of its activities, demonstrating positive momentum in healthcare, medical education, and regulation through the first half of 2015.

Compared to the same period in 2014, its strategic projects in medical education and wellness lead growth, driving confidence to achieve strong second half results.

Dr Raja Al Gurg, Vice-Chairperson and Executive Director of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority, said the first half of 2015 has cemented Dubai Healthcare City's plans to increase the supply of qualified medical professionals and to ensure an equipped, trained existing medical force. "With the launch of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and partnering with Queen's University Belfast, we reinforce our commitment to human capital in the Emirate and to our strategic partnerships in building a world-class healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates," said Dr Al Gurg.

Dubai Healthcare City's growth has been spurred by regulation and capacity planning. The Phase 2 project launch, the City's wellness expansion, is part of its vision. "Phase 2 will drive the global trend of preventative healthcare as we introduce unique rehabilitation and wellness concepts," she added.

The free zone's regulator, the Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory, ensures a fair, transparent and equitable process of governance, consistent with regulatory best practice.

Regulations are integral for sustained growth, said Dr Ramadan Al Blooshi, Managing Director, Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Regulatory, "There have been continuous regulatory advances in Dubai Healthcare City. Earlier this year we included 34 new countries to our licensing framework that now covers 63 countries."

"We also increased the list of online examinations enabling a wider pool of healthcare professionals including physicians and dentists to apply. Further, we have begun implementing the new health insurance law within Dubai Healthcare City. Together with other stringent measures, we are confident of maintaining momentum," he added.

Medical education projects have given stimulus to first-half results. "We are pleased with the milestones we have achieved in medical education, said Dr Amer Ahmad Sharif, Managing Director - Education, Dubai Healthcare City. "These very milestones will spur growth for the rest of the year and the next. We are preparing to welcome the first intake of undergraduate medical students in September 2016 for the College of Medicine, the second College of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences."

He said the goal to provide high quality medical education – undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as continuing professional development courses, is part of the paradigm to keep patients healthy. "Quality medical education will ensure that the skills of healthcare professionals are not just limited to the profession but extended to being taught to work better together with players in the health system from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to insurance companies," said Dr Sharif.

H1 2015 Highlights.

In the first half of 2015, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) Unveiled visual identity of the Mohammed bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; announced new academic partner Queen's University Belfast Introduced new identity for first College - Hamdan bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine Launched Phase 2 project - expansion into wellness, spread over land area of 22 million square feet Announced September opening of new business partner in Phase 2 – the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) Added 34 countries to licensing framework bringing total to 63 Licensed 526 healthcare professionals, bringing total to 5,060 Introduced new health insurance law within DHCC Organised 2nd UAE Clinical Simulation Conference Increased number of trainees by more than 50 percent at the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Medical Simulation Centre, bringing total to 4,000 Achieved high continuing medical education (CME) credit hours, crossing 500 Maintained 96% occupancy in DHCC main buildings Welcomed 10 new clinical facilities and four non-clinical Held 250 events with more than 15,000 participants at the Mohammed bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre.