The first Center of Excellence in Ophthalmology in the region

Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai receives accreditation from the Australian Council in Healthcare Standards International

Al Owais: This achievement enhances the strength of the health sector in the country and attains sustainability in healthcare

Al Ketbi: Accreditation enhances Dubai’s competitiveness as an ideal choice for specialised healthcare

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 25, 2025: Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai today announced that it has been awarded “Center of Excellence” accreditation in ophthalmology by the Australian Council in Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), becoming the first eye health facility in the region to achieve this prestigious achievement.

The announcement ceremony organised by the hospital marking this occasion was attended by His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, as well as an elite group of officials in the health sector in Dubai, along with representatives of the Executive Board from Moorfields London and Dubai, and senior doctors and specialists in ophthalmology, where the importance of this accreditation in enhancing the quality of health care and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global destination for medical excellence was highlighted.

This achievement reflects the hospital's commitment to providing high-quality medical services in line with the best international standards, as Moorfields Dubai is the first branch of the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital outside the United Kingdom and is under the management of the National Health Foundation (NHS), which enhances its reputation as one of the most prominent ophthalmology centers in the world.

According to the Commonwealth Fund's annual report for 2024, the Australian health care system ranks first among the ten high-income countries, as Australian health care excelled in several areas, and ranked first in health outcomes, distinguished by its administrative efficiency.

H.E. Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stressed that the prestigious accreditation granted for Moorfields Eye Hospital, making it the region’s first Centre of Excellence in Ophthalmology, is indeed a significant milestone for the health sector, further strengthening the competitive efficiency of healthcare facilities in the UAE. This recognition not only reinforces the competitive strength of our medical entities but also reaffirms global confidence in the quality and excellence of healthcare services in the country. 

He stressed that the UAE is committed to adopting proactive strategies and continuously improving healthcare standards in line with the goals of the Year of Community, which seeks to promote health sustainability and enhance well-being across the country.

His Excellency commended the efficiency of Dubai’s healthcare system and the dedicated efforts of the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Health, adding that the UAE will continue to develop and upgrade state-of-the-art health and preventive services to ensure that the country’s healthcare sector continues its upward trajectory, securing leading positions in global healthcare competitiveness.

His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, praised this achievement, which represents a qualitative addition to the health sector in the emirate, and confirms its advanced position in providing health care services in accordance with the highest international standards, noting that accreditation from the Australian Council in Healthcare Standards International reflects the hospital’s commitment to applying the highest standards of quality and safety, and confirms the supportive environment that Dubai provides to leading health institutions, which enables them to achieve advanced levels of medical excellence.

He explained that this achievement reflects Dubai's strategic approach to enhancing the quality of health services. It also reflects the continuous efforts made by the Dubai Health Authority to ensure the provision of specialized medical services at international standards, indicating the Authority’s keenness to support and enable health facilities to achieve such achievements that are in line with the emirate’s future vision of being a global center for medical excellence, and an ideal choice for specialized health care.

Mr. Elhadi Hassan, Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said: “Obtaining the “Centre of Excellence Certificate” is a prestigious recognition of our specialized services, and of the exceptional experience and achievements of our team. It also confirms our continued commitment to providing our best in everything we do, from patient care to our endeavors in the field of teaching and research, with a focus on a healthcare approach centered around person centred care. We could not have achieved this without the support of the Dubai Government and our regulators.”

He explained that this accreditation from a prestigious international body came after years of diligent work to accomplish this mission. He praised the support of the Dubai Government, represented by the Dubai Health Authority and the Dubai Health, in reaching this achievement from the Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International, which is one of the largest global accreditors of hospitals and health facilities, as it has more than fifty years of experience in developing quality and safety standards in health care.

He also stressed that this accreditation represents an official certificate of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai’s compliance with quality and safety standards and the application of international best practices in the field of ophthalmology.