Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai Al Jalila, a 200-bed children's hospital planned in Dubai, has won the "Future Health Project" award at a prestigious architecture festival in Spain, beating 200 other entries from across the globe.
The state-of-the-art hospital will be the only one in the region specialising in paediatric care. It is designed on the "Green Building" concept to save energy, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced yesterday.
Sir Peter Cook, the visionary architect, presented the award to the DHA in Barcelona earlier this month. The award is based on criteria such as functionality of the building and aesthetic sense. Al Jalila won the award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona out of 210 entries from around the world, the DHA said in a statement. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had ordered the construction of this hospital as a gift to the children of the UAE. "It is a privilege to get recognition at an international level where the very best architectural projects across the world compete with one another," said Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the DHA.
Of the 210 entries, 94 were selected, and finally only two projects were shortlisted — Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital, and the extension of Islamia Eye Hospital, Bangladesh.
Al Jalila will be completed next year and will have a comprehensive imaging and radiology department, nuclear medicine, clinical laboratory department, hospital pharmacy and rehabilitation services.
The "green" Hospital will have more than 5,000 square metres of solar panels located on the roof of the hospital and will cover the parking places.
In addition, the water treatment concept will facilitate reusing water for specific purposes like irrigation. Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital will have a dedicated helipad, and will be connected with the emergency department for any type of paediatric emergencies excluding road traffic accidents.
By Mahmood SaberiSenior Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
