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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.
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