State-of-the-art children's hospital to open in Dubai in 2010

State-of-the-art children's hospital to open in Dubai in 2010
By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
Last updated: December 21, 2008, 22:37


Dubai: The UAE's first hospital dedicated to children is "fast-tracked" to open by the end of 2010, and will have sub-specialiaties in paediatrics including cardiac surgery, cancer and organ transplants.

The 200-bed hospital, Al Jalila Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Children's Hospital, is an initiative by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Named after his daughter, the Dh740 million hospital will be located near Al Wasl Hospital, a maternity hospital, and Dubai Healthcare City in Garhoud.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, director-general of Dubai Health Authority, told a news conference that the hospital would take on cases that needed highly-specialised care.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"We are establishing this hospital because there is a shortage of paediatric sub-specialities. We provide paediatric care at Al Wasl Hospital but this hospital will take the [difficult] cases," he said.

"We will also do organ transplants that are allowed under the UAE law," he added.

UAE law currently allows organ transplants involving kidneys and liver between relatives. Al Qassimi Hospital, under the Ministry of Health, and Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi have hosted kidney and liver transplant surgeries since last year.

Al Murooshid added the hospital would deal with the paediatric aspects of existing services at public hospitals, such as orthopaedics.

Other sub-specialties that will be offered at the hospital include nephrology and reconstructive surgery.

Paediatricians hailed the announcement.

Dr Alya Ahmad, unofficial spokesperson for the incoming Dubai Chapter of American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), told Gulf News the children's hospital could not have come at a better time.

"I'm very excited (because) it is something we need. Having adult and paediatric care at the same hospital is not (perfect). Children are not little adults," she said.

"As AAP comes forth, we will be able to (work with the hospital to) help direct policy on children's health," she added.

She said she hoped the hospital would also concentrate on having healthcare staff qualified in paediatric sub-specialties as "having a good children's hospital takes more than just having the facility".