HMC's Current Expansion Phase the Largest in the History of HMC Hospitals

Doha, 23 November, 2016

The official opening of Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Communicable Disease Center (CDC) last week marked the start of the largest expansion phase in HMC’s history.

The addition of this latest facility to HMC’s portfolio brings the total number of hospitals to nine at present, with three more hospitals set to open over the next six months.

“We have begun the largest expansion program in HMC’s history,” said Mr. Ali Abdulla Al Khater, Chief Communications Officer at HMC. “Four new hospitals - the Communicable Disease Center, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Ambulatory Care Center and Women’s Wellness and Research Center - will significantly increase capacity across our system and provide state-of-the-art environments in which our expert teams can provide care for their patients,” he explained.

HMC was established by Emiri decree in 1979. However, its oldest facility, Rumailah Hospital, has been caring for patients since 1957 – more than half a century ago.

“As Qatar has grown and developed over the past 50 plus years, so too has HMC. This long history of caring for the residents of Qatar ensures HMC is uniquely positioned to understand the specific cultural and healthcare needs of the population and provide the best possible care,” stated Mr. Al Khater.

The scale of the current expansion phase underway at HMC is vast. When all services have relocated to the new hospitals, between 9,000 and 10,000 patients per week will use the services and the total floor space across HMC will increase by 65 percent following the full opening of the new hospitals.

“For several years now, we have talked about how the new hospitals will benefit patients greatly when they open, but we no longer need to talk about it as being in the future. It is happening now,” said Mr. Hamad Al Khalifa, HMC’s Chief of Facilities Development.

“Our patients are already benefitting from the advanced facilities and care they receive at the CDC and the upcoming opening of the three additional hospitals will again strengthen our range of specialist healthcare services and increase our capacity,” added Mr. Al Khalifa.

The upcoming plans build on the capacity increase that has already taken place across HMC over the past year. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Women’s Hospital, Pediatric Emergency Center Al Sadd and Bone and Joint Center have all been expanded, while the Enaya Continuing Care Center and a new surgical services facility have both opened.

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About Hamad Medical Corporation
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East.

For more than three decades, HMC has been dedicated to delivering the safest, most effective and compassionate care to all its patients.

HMC manages nine hospitals – six specialist hospitals and three community hospitals – as well as the National Ambulance Service and home and residential care services.

In January 2016, HMC achieved the significant distinction of becoming the first healthcare system across the globe to have all its hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International under the Academic Medical Center accreditation program. Additionally, the National Ambulance Service, Home Healthcare Service, Stroke Service and Palliative Care, have all received this prestigious accreditation since 2011.

To meet the needs of a rapidly growing population, HMC has announced ambitious plans to expand capacity across its network through to 2030. This expansion plan includes a further three new hospitals in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.

HMC is leading the development of the region’s first academic health system – combining innovative research, top-class education and excellent clinical care – and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar. HMC collaborates with key partners who are experts in Qatar and beyond, including Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Partners Healthcare, Boston.

HMC is also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education – International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.

For more information please visit: www.hamad.qa or contact Noimot Olayiwola, Media Project Manager Tel: (00974) 44390945; Mobile: (00974) 55568709; Email: nolayiwola@hamad.qa