Dubai health firm launches first budget clinic

DM Healthcare, a Dubai-based company, has launched the first of its network of budget-model clinics aimed at providing services to lower income groups.

Access Clinic has been launched at the Ramla Shopping Mall, Dubai Investment Park (DIP) and primarily targets the primary healthcare needs of the lower income group of the UAE demographics.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Azad Moopen, chairman, DM Healthcare, said: "Over the years, due to various factors, the costs of quality healthcare services has seen a steady increase.

"This has led to a situation where all are not able to afford quality healthcare services. With Access networks, as the name suggests, we aim to bridge that gap and make quality healthcare services accessible to all at very affordable costs."

He said the company has plans to open at least 10 Access Clinics in the "immediate future" in the UAE and Qatar.

"We have ensured that our service qualities are not at all compromised, while introducing the budget model facilities," he added.

The facility at Dubai Investment Park will provide primary services in general medicine and orthopedics.

The unit has observation beds for providing immediate care, a laboratory and a radiology unit for prompt and better diagnostics, and an adjoining pharmacy.

The services provided at Access Clinics, including consultations, are offered at nominal fees, he said.

DM Healthcare announced in September an investment of over Rs2,150 crore ($461m) to provide 3,100 hospital beds in Kerala through eight different projects.

The projects are in various stages of completion in Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Kannur districts, the company said in a statement.

Most of the projects are expected to be operational in the next five years, it added.

In February, the company said it is to hire 11,000 new employees in the next three years under plans to more than double its presence in the Gulf and India.