The Universal Hospital in Abu Dhabi has closed down due to financial troubles, Khaleej Times has learnt.
The Department of Health (DoH) Abu Dhabi said the hospital was shut on the owner's request.
"Following a request from its owner, Universal Hospital was closed down. All patients were moved promptly to alternative hospitals and provided with full support for the transition of their treatment," read the DoH statement issued to Khaleej Times.
A source at the hospital said they stopped accepting in-patients since last week.
It is understood that the 200-bed speciality hospital is not operational anymore. When Khaleej Times visited the two towers of the hospital on the old Airport Road on Friday, the facilities looked deserted without any employees.
Sources close to the management said the owner could not arrange funds to tide over the financial crisis.
The hospital was once temporarily shut down by the DoH in April this year to meet certain health and safety standards.
Future uncertain
Over 500 staff of the hospital are facing uncertainty due to the sudden closure of the hospital.
Hospital staff who spoke to Khaleej Times said their salaries have not been paid for months.
"My four months' salary is pending. We knew the hospital has some financial issues but were hoping that things would stabilise," said one employee requesting anonymity.
A medical doctor who joined the hospital a few years ago said he was also not paid for months.
"We don't know what would happen next. It is a difficult place to be in without knowing whether you have the job or not."
Many employees that Khaleej Times spoke to said there was no official communication from the management regarding the closure.
"We were told by our supervisors over WhatsApp on September 3 not to come from September 4. We are sitting at home wondering what to do," said a medical nurse.
When asked about the pending dues of the employees, the health authority said remittances for hospital employees do not fall with our mandate."
Meanwhile, the owner of Universal Hospital has alleged "conspiracy to 'destroy" him.
"I have a threat in the country and that person is solely responsible for the situation I am in," Dr Shabeer Nellikode told Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview over the phone from Kerala, India.
Khaleej Times couldn't independently verify these allegations.
Quashing rumors that he has run away from the country, Nellikode said he is still trying his best to restart the hospital.
"I am an honest hardworking man who has only helped people. I belong to Abu Dhabi. Why would I run away when I believe my future belongs there."
According to him, he was pushed to a corner and was forced to request for a shutdown when a small team from within the hospital started to conspire his downfall.
"Cases were filed against me and I had to protect myself. I know I can make a comeback but I first need to deal with the threat I spoke about. No matter how much money I inject into the hospital, haters will try to destroy me again."
Nellikode said he wants to assure all his employees that he will settle all their dues.
"My fight is for the people that I owe money. I will fight for my team that has stood by me. I also have to fight for my integrity. I am positive that I will be able to restructure and restart soon. Talks are progressing with investors," said Nellikode.
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