SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is to be one of the centres of reference in Europe for the United Arab Emirates

SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates Government to collaborate in the treatment of complex pediatric patients and strengthen the exchange of healthcare professionals and experiences.

The agreement has been signed by the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Spain, Iza Abdullah Al Otaiba, and the Managing Director of SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital,Manel del Castillo, in the presence of the Under Secretary of the Department of Health of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed Hamad Al Hamlin.

The Emirates representatives stressed that the new agreement strengthens joint collaboration and broadens horizons for future cooperation.

Manel del Castillo added that, “This agreement demonstrates that the Emirates Government is satisfied with the collaboration up to now, and it represents another step forward in SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital’s internationalisation process”.

Growth in international activity

SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital currently sees around 700 patients from other countries each year. Of these overseas patients, 45% come from Russia and other former Soviet republics, 23% from Latin America, 9% from Europe, another 9% from North Africa and 8% from the Middle East. The rest of the children come from sub-Saharan Africa, North America and the Pacific region.

Of the overseas patients treated at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, 73% are funded through foundations or by their own government.