Dubai Culture Signs MoU with Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital in Dubai under the framework of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority. The agreement was inked as a highlight of the Authority’s activities at Sharjah International Book Fair 2017, which was recently concluded at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The agreement was signed by Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture, while Dr. Amer Mohammad Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City Medical, represented Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital.

The newly signed MoU involves Dubai Culture providing Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital with libraries and books for visitors, including a wide variety of titles and content that is appropriate for children, as well as the delivery of the selected books.

Commenting on the agreement, Saeed Al Nabouda said: "At Dubai Culture, we are keen to strengthen our cooperation with all partners in the Emirate of Dubai and the UAE who are concerned with promoting a culture of reading in the nation, in general and in Dubai in particular. Our main drive remains to fulfil our commitment to achieving the goals of the ‘National Reading Strategy 2016-2026’ by providing books, activities and events that encourage reading and support the creation of a knowledgeable and cultured generation.”

Al Nabouda added: "This agreement translates the collective efforts of different UAE government bodies to integrate, coordinate and cooperate with each other in order to achieve the vision and strategy of the Government of Dubai. It also reflects our keenness to support and strengthen Dubai Culture’s existing strategic partnership with Al Jalila Children’s Speciality Hospital and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority."

As part of the MoU, the Authority will also provide special cultural services in the field of reading, including mini-libraries, books and associated cultural programmes, events and activities, such as volunteer programmes for reading for children, in coordination with the hospital.

Dr. Amer Mohammad Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Healthcare City Medical, commented: “This agreement reflects Dubai Healthcare City Medical's keenness to provide all kinds of care for ill children and their families. We are committed to adopting the most effective ways to make ill children happy, and to help them use their time in hospitals and medical centres to benefit from the reading and cultural awareness programs provided in the waiting areas. We are delighted to partner with Dubai Culture, one of the leading entities involved in the development of the Emirate’s artistic and cultural landscape, and we are also pleased to select Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital as the first location for this one-of-a-kind initiative in the UAE.”

Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai's cultural landscape and highlight the Emirate's rich heritage through a variety of initiatives organised throughout the year. The Authority’s mission is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures by launching rich initiatives that benefit the citizens, residents and visitors of Dubai.