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Masafi hospital to be fully operational by year-end

ABU DHABI - A new government hospital with world-class facilities and modern infrastructure will become fully operational in Fujairah’s Masafi area in the last quarter of this year, Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Acting Minister of Health, said during the Federal National Council meeting here on Tuesday.

Replying to a question raised by member Rashid Mohammed Al Shariqui about the comprehensive operations of the Masafi hospital, Al Owais said under the guidance of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Masafi hospital is being constructed at a total cost of Dh50 million.

The 42-bed hospital is intended to serve the residents of Masafi and its suburbs. The structure comprises two storeys. In fact, the outpatient ward, which formed the first phase of the project, opened in June 2010, Al Owais said.

It currently operates between 7.30am and 2.30pm, and 4pm and 10pm.

Women empowerment

In his opening speech, Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the FNC, congratulated the women, in view of Women’s Day observed on March 8, for playing a role in strengthening and participating in the nation-building process.

According to the national statistics, Al Murr said, Emirati women represent 70 per cent of the university and college graduates in the country, 66 per cent are working in government sectors and 30 per cent are in leadership positions.

The emergence of women in the UAE is based on national developments, Al Murr said.

Zayed housing aid

Replying to a question raised by Ali Essa Al Nuwaimi about the ceiling on the monetary aid for housing and reducing the waiting period getting the money, Shaikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of the Shaikh Zayed Housing Programme, said as per the Federal Law Article No. 10, the Cabinet issued rules in November 2011 that the cap on the financial assistance is Dh500,000 subject to the financial condition and requirements of a national.

In case of very poor financial background, there are also some exceptions in the same law for families which can receive up to Dh750,000.

Efforts are being made to reduce the waiting period for getting the money, Al Nahyan said.

“We are also in the process of signing an MoU with the Central Bank to amend some rules for home finance for Emiratis.”

anwar@khaleejtimes.com