Dubai's new ICU for kids starts accepting patients

Dubai's new intensive care unit (ICU) for children has started receiving patients, authorities announced on Sunday.

Launched by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the paediatric ICU at Dubai Hospital enhances the healthcare services it provides to its young patients, especially those with chronic diseases.

Humaid Al Qutami, director-general of the DHA, said the new unit, which has eight separate rooms, not only caters to kids' medical needs, it also prioritises their privacy.

Each child admitted to the ICU would have an independent room equipped with the latest technologies. The facility also ensures the comfort of parents who will stay with the patients.

The unit was established to meet the increasing demand for a special ICU that is different from the one designated for adult patients. It boosts Dubai Hospital's healthcare capacity, since it specialises in six health issues concerning children. They have experts for paediatric tumours, kidney diseases, endocrine glands, diabetes, digestive system issues, and heart disease.

When the ICU was officially inaugurated earlier this month, Al Qutami commended the hospital's CEO, Dr Maryam Al Rayes, and all the departments and teams who have been contributing to healthcare developments.

Establishing the new unit was part of the DHA's expansion work across the emirate's health facilities, especially those that register a high demand from patients and medical tourists.

Earlier this week, the authority announced that it has completed the development of the surgical ICU at Dubai Hospital, increasing its capacity to 13 beds for adult patients.