Doha, 09 Sept 2019 (QNA)

Amir of State of Qatar,  Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art Trauma and Emergency Center block at Hamad General Hospital (HGH).  One of the largest in the region, along with a cutting-edge Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy chamber was officially opened today.

Present on the occasion were Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar,   Dr Hanan Mohamed Al-Kuwari,  Minister of Public Health , a number of dignitaries and officials at HMC.

Amir of Qatar was briefed on the facilities during inspection of  various sections of the block

The Hyperbaric Therapy Unit houses a cutting-edge hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, that can hold up to 18 people and provides oxygen therapy for a range of medical conditions as well as decompression treatment for diving accidents.

The new block marks a significant expansion of trauma and emergency services in Qatar. In addition to a new Emergency Department, it also offers trauma, urgent, and critical care services and features a dedicated ramp for ambulance arrivals at HGH.

Dr Hanan Mohamed Al-Kuwari regarded as an important milestone in the provision of emergency and trauma care in Qatar.  She said that this day nderlines our ongoing commitment to expanding capacity and improving services. This commitment will ensure the people of Qatar will continue to receive the best possible care delivered in leading-edge facilities, now and for many years to come. New Trauma and Emergency Center blocks are four times larger than the former Emergency Department. Moreover, the new facility will serve as a beacon of excellence in our network of emergency services,” said Dr. Al-Kuwari.

Hamad Al Khalifa, Chief of Healthcare Facilities said HMC’s commitment to delivering high-quality trauma and emergency care in Qatar and highlighted the improved patient environment within the new Trauma and Emergency Center.

He said “Patients have an unparalleled level of comfort. They can recover in a state-of-the-art healing environment, improving their recovery journey and the healthcare experience for both themselves and their family.”

Dr Abdulla al-Ansari, Acting Chief Medical Officer at HMC drew particular attention to the key role of clinical teams at the new Trauma and Emergency Center in meeting Qatar’s emergency and trauma care needs. He said that ‘Not only does the new centre offer a spacious healing environment equipped with the latest technology, but it also benefits from the delivery of care by the very best doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff. These highly trained professionals have been recruited from across the globe and have spent many months preparing for the opening through a number of simulation exercises. Their experience and expertise, coupled with our state-of-the-art facility and ultra-modern equipment, will ensure the best possible care experience.

“Those in need of urgent medical care can be received and treated through the Emergency Department on the ground floor and we also have trauma, urgent, and critical care facilities available across the remaining three floors, which house state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, including an MRI, ultrasound, and three CT scanners. Our patients will also benefit from a threefold increase in X-ray capacity, compared to the previous facilities.

Dr Al-Ansari said walk-in patients arriving at the new Centre’s Emergency Department will go through initial assessment and treatment. On findings, the patient will either be admitted to the hospital or discharged.

In event of mass casualty or incident requiring immediate surgical intervention, five trauma and emergency rooms which are fully equipped to be converted into mini operating theatres.  Patients can then be rapidly and seamlessly transferred from there to the Trauma or Surgical Intensive Care Units as well as the operating theaters at Hamad General Hospital via the link bridge on the first floor.

Ground floor of the new Trauma and Emergency Center is dedicated to walk-in emergencies. First floor to critical and trauma care patients, Second floor is dedicated to urgent care patients, whilst the Third floor has been designed to care for patients requiring isolation or monitoring before being discharged.