Doha - Education City's proposed Specialty Teaching Hospital has been renamed as Sidra Medical and Research Center.
This was announced by H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation at the Sidra Board of Governors meeting in which an extensive overview was presented of the project's progress to date. The medical centre is expected to open in late 2010, with a staff of 2,000.
Sheikha Mozah also launched the logo for Sidra. It features the five-point flower of the Sidra tree, stylized to reflect the innovation and state-of- the-art technology of the design and equipment intended for the premier all-digital facility.
Qatar Foundation has committed nearly $8bn for the high tech facility, the largest cash endowment of a medical and research center anywhere in the world, said a press release yesterday.
In selecting the new name and flower logo, Qatar Foundation built upon the theme of the Sidra tree which serves as the Foundation's logo, highlighting the relationship between the two entities and the Foundation's role as owner of the medical centre.
"Sidra Medical and Research Center will be among the finest and most technologically advanced medical and research centres in the world," said Sheikha Mozah. "In an environment that meets the highest global standards, Sidra will promote healing, inspire learning and advance scientific discovery."
The Board was briefed about reports in regard to the legal incorporation of Sidra and the architectural plans. There was also a detailed discussion of the proposed governance and bylaws for the medical center.
The Governors were also briefed on a recommendation, from the February 19 Qatar Foundation Board of Directors meeting, that Qatari medical students be given government appointments upon completion of their fourth year of the six-year medical programme. This suggestion reflects the importance that the Board places on attracting high quality Qatari students to the medical school, said a release yesterday.
Sheikha Mozah serves as Chairperson of the Sidra Board of Governors which includes H E Yousef Hussain Kamal, Dr Mohamad Fathy Saoud, Vice Chairperson, Dr Ghalia bint Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Dr Jordan J Cohen, Sanford I Weill, and Dr Antonio M Gotto.
Sidra Medical and Research Centre will offer world-class patient care including specialty care for women and children, as well as general medical services for male and female patients of all ages. It will work closely with Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) and Hamad Medical Corporation to enhance the quality of healthcare in Qatar, promote excellence in physician training, and help build the nation's scientific expertise and resources through a coordinated biomedical research programme.
The architectural plans for Sidra are near completion and will be announced in the second quarter of 2007. Construction is expected to begin in early 2008, said the release.
© The Peninsula 2007
