Page 350 - UAE Truncal States

The External Influences

After the federation was established in 1971, development projects
began to transform the northern Emirates beyond recognition,
thanks to the almost unlimited funds which Abu Dhabi provided.
The visible impact of the modest beginnings which the Development
Office had been able to afford was soon all but obliterated by federal
development projects, by the Rulers’ realisation of some of their
dreams, and by the building boom of private entrepreneurs. But
beyond these achievements which are measurable in miles of
asphalted roads and in kilowatts of installed electrical capacity, one
can delect in many cases the lasting effects of the groundwork which
had been laid by the Development Office. Particularly useful were the
many technical surveys which were made on behalf of the Develop­
ment Office often in co-operation with the British Ministry of
Overseas Development and with British universities.
The population of the Trucial States had to wait painfully long,
compared to some neighbours, for the first clinics, schools, piped
water and other amenities. The financial aid which was forthcoming
was inadequate to pay for the many projects which all seemed to be
equally urgent. The fact remains that outside assistance came late
and piecemeal. But the work which the Development Office was able
to carry out in these circumstances, both by providing immediate
betterment in the living conditions of the population and by laying
the foundations for future planning, by gathering vitally necessary
information, deserves recognition.

Health services
Before the Development Office was established in 1965, considerable
progress had already been made in providing some medical services
for the people of the Trucial States. The Maktum Hospital in Dubai
was opened in 1949 and in due course enlarged several times; the
hospital at Ra’s al Khaimah was opened in 1963; a number of clinics
were set up, and touring doctors were organised who sent their more
serious cases to the hospital in Dubai.124 In 1964 the Senior Medical
Officer, Dr McCaully, departed; he had been appointed by the British
Government and had until then co-ordinated all the health services
and run the hospital. The increasing number of organisations
providing health care125 made it necessary to appoint a medical
administrator to co-ordinate all these activities and to advise the
Council. Dr 'Asim Jamali, a national of Oman, was appointed to this
post in 1967.
325