Doha, 18 January, 2017

Construction of a new building at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will see a significant expansion of trauma and emergency services in Qatar. The trauma and emergency facility, scheduled to open in 2019, will more than quadruple the existing department's space, providing greater capacity to care for patients presenting with a range of illnesses and injuries, with a focus on life-threatening medical conditions.

“Qatar’s population has grown significantly in recent years, resulting in increasing numbers of patients relying on our trauma and emergency services,” said Mr. Hamad Al Khalifa, HMC’s Chief of Healthcare Facilities. “The new facility represents a substantial investment in the provision of leading edge, best practice emergency care and reinforces HMC’s commitment to providing the people of Qatar with high quality, world class facilities and healthcare.”

Located in front of the existing Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital, the new trauma and emergency facility will be arranged over four floors and will accommodate 226 patient stations. A full range of diagnostic and treatment facilities will be provided, with enhanced operational links to adjoining buildings for efficient transfer of patients, including a direct link to the new operating theater facility and the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Hamad General Hospital.

Public drop-offs will be located on the ground floor level and ambulance drop-off facilities on the upper level. A dedicated ambulance ramp will separate public and emergency traffic movement and will ensure rapid transfer of patients.

The Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital is one of the busiest in the world, with over a million patient visits last year. In recent years, the Department has witnessed a steady increase in the number of patients treated, including pediatric emergency cases.

“The new Trauma and Emergency building will be one of the largest dedicated emergency care facilities in the region and a world class emergency center that will further enhance the quality of care we provide to our patients,” added Mr. Al Khalifa.

The construction of the new Trauma and Emergency building is being completed in collaboration with Ashghal Public Works Authority. The overall built up area of the development is circa 29,000sq.m, making this one of the largest dedicated emergency care facilities in the region.

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About HMC
HMC is the principal public healthcare provider in the state of Qatar for over three decades and is dedicated to delivering the safest, most effective and compassionate care to all patients.

HMC manages nine hospitals, incorporating six specialist hospitals and three community hospitals.  HMC also manages the National Ambulance Service as well as home and residential care, all accredited by Joint Commission International. While HMC continues to upgrade its facilities and services, it has also embarked on an ambitious expansion program, targeting the areas of need in our community.

HMC is leading the development of the region's first academic health system and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar. We collaborate with partners who are key experts in Qatar and beyond, including Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Partners Healthcare, Boston.

We are also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.

For more information please visit: www.hamad.qa  or contact Noimot Olayiwola, Media Project Manager Tel: (00974) 44390945; Mobile: (00974) 55568709; Email: nolayiwola@hamad.qa  

© Press Release 2017