Sharjah’s ambitions as a key Middle East healthcare destination

A new Memorandum of Understanding between Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) and Italy’s Gruppo San Donato (GSD) will look to develop Sharjah Healthcare City. Seen as the more conservative neighbour to Dubai, SHA is looking to position Sharjah as a leading healthcare destination in the Middle Eastern market.

Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) and Italy’s Gruppo San Donato (GSD) have signed an MoU that they say will shape the healthcare landscape of the Emirate. Gruppo San Donato will help with the various healthcare initiatives in Sharjah and support in attracting investments into Sharjah Healthcare City (SHCC).

The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in healthcare sectors that support the authority’s endeavours and to ensure that its services are provided by the best and most advanced international experts. The agreement was also in line with the Emirate’s ambition to uphold its status as the healthy city in the Middle East and Africa region. Sharjah had earlier received a score of 88% by the World Health Organization and recognised as the first healthy city in the region.

The MoU is another step in fulfilling our commitment to deliver quality healthcare services in the Emirate of Sharjah. With the help of Gruppo San Donato, we aren’t just strengthening the ties between our two great nations but also gaining the expertise and technical know-how of one of the top healthcare organizations in the world,” said Abdullah Al Mahyan, chairman of Sharjah Health Authority. “The association with GSD will help us achieve the vision set forth by the Sharjah Health Authority and confirm Sharjah’s position as a leading healthcare destination in the Middle Eastern market“.

Gruppo San Donato is a leading Italian hospital group with 19 hospitals all over Italy, with a capacity of 5,568 beds, 5,731 qualified physicians on rolls serving 4.3 million patients a year. Apart from providing quality healthcare services, the group also boasts of providing recognised medical research facilities in various therapeutic segments including genetics, stem cells, diabetes, oncology and neurology.