RAK Hospital opens the first Catheterization Laboratory in the Northern Emirates

H. E. Crown Prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi officially inaugurated the newly established Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) at RAK Hospital today to mark its second year anniversary

Dubai, November 22, 2009: RAK Hospital, a state-of-the-art multi-specialty healthcare facility jointly set up by the ETA Star Healthcare and the Ras Al Khaimah Government and managed by Sonnenhof Swiss Health (SSH), today launched the first Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) of the northern emirates. The Cath Lab was officially inaugurated by H. E. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. This Cath Lab is the first to open in the whole of the northern emirates. The launch was in conjunction with the second anniversary celebrations of RAK Hospital.

Commenting on the launch of the Cath lab, Mr. Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, ETA Star Healthcare, said, "We are pleased that RAK Hospital now has the full capabilities and technology to offer cardiovascular treatments that require the catheterization procedure to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah and all of the northern emirates. The RAK Centre for Interventional Cardiology is the first of its kind initiative in the northern emirates. This is a groundbreaking step forward for RAK Hospital considering we have been around for two years."

"In cases of heart related diseases, time is of utmost importance making every minute crucial. This is an exceptional breakthrough for emergency heart patients who need this medical procedure done immediately in the northern emirates. Before the opening of this lab, patients had no options available to them and as such had to travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah to get the procedure done."

It has been estimated that 41 per cent of all deaths in UAE are caused by cardiovascular or heart related diseases. This figure makes it the number one cause of deaths in the UAE, overtaking deaths caused by traffic accidents.

Considering the influx of cardiovascular patients in the UAE, it has become highly essential for sufficient facilities to be available to combat and treat these diseases. With the opening of the Cath Lab at RAK Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah has become more self reliant to treat cardiac patients.

Dr. Rajeev Lochan has been appointed as the chief cardiologist associated with the Cath Lab at RAK Hospital. With 40 years of medical experience which include over 30 years of Cardiology experience and 24 years in senior cardiologist roles.

Commenting on the opening and his role as the head of the Cath Lab, Dr. Lochan said, "This treatment is imperative and a crucial requirement for several cardiac conditions. As such it was highly essential to have this available to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah. We are happy to have this opportunity to provide critical emergency solutions to heart patients, and thereby, control the growing rise of fatal incidents in the northern emirates."

A Cath Lab is an examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment used to support the catheterization procedure. This procedure involves a catheter (thin tube) being inserted into a large artery. This allows for fluid drainage, fluid injection and various surgical instruments and devices to be inserted through the body via the catheter.

The Cath Lab at RAK Hospital will employ state-of-the-art facilities and equipments. The facilities consists of cutting edge technology and are the best available. The Cath Lab at RAK Hospital will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team including a Physician, Cardiac Physiologist, Nurse and Radiographer.

RAK Hospital is a state-of-the-art multi-specialty healthcare facility jointly set up by the ETA Star Healthcare and the Ras Al Khaimah Government and managed by Sonnenhof Swiss Health (SSH), the well-known, healthcare consulting corporation from Switzerland.

RAK Hospital is the only hospital in the world that has been awarded the accreditation from both Joint Commission International (JCI) and by the Swiss Leading Hospital (SLH Accreditation) which is based on European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM standards).

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About RAK Hospital:
RAK Hospital is a secondary care, 65 bedded multispecialty private hospital founded in 2007. The hospital is managed by Sonnenhof Swiss health, a leading name in healthcare and hospitality.

RAK Hospital offers the latest advances in orthopedic care which includes rehabilitation, pain management and surgical techniques such as minimal invasive replacement surgery, a total knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. The comprehensive care offered uses the latest joint implants and devices, surgical techniques, dedicated operating room staff, physiotherapists and pain management to help patients who are in need of treatment. The model results in low complication rates following surgery and less time spent in the hospital. The majority of patients return home three to four days after surgery.

The Hospital is build on the foundation to provide modern healthcare facilities in a 'five star' hotel environment. Recognized by the Joint Commission International Accreditation and Swiss Leading Hospitals Accreditation, RAK Hospital highly emphasizes on the quality of the comprehensive medical services and patient safety.

The Hospital offers a wide range of services in Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Intensive Care, Dermatology, Dentistry, Cosmetology and Physiotherapy. The hospital also has a 24-hour accident and emergency facility.

For further information, please contact:
Ms. Tasneem Raza
Watermelon PR
Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 04 2833 655/ 050 705 9269
tasneem@watermelonme.com