The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulative body of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has announced that it designated Al Rahba Hospital in Abu Dhabi as dedicated hospital for infectious diseases including COVID-19 patients.
DoH also announced that Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi is now free of COVID-19 cases. The hospital will resume its status as a provider of specialized healthcare services to non-COVID patients while adhering to the highest safety standards across all of its departments. DoH confirmed that all private hospitals in the emirate are free of COVID-19 cases.
The announcement comes after rigorous inspections that demonstrated a significant decline in infection cases across SKMC; this has been attributed to an increase in people receiving vaccines, the expanded efforts in adhering to the highest standards of safety and the application of precautionary and preventative measures to limit the spread of the virus.
H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Alkaabi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health, reiterated: “It is only through the tireless dedication of the UAE’s wise and progressive leadership that we are seeing this positive shift. National efforts uniting the public and private sectors were instrumental in Sheikh Khalifa Medical City effectively dealing with the pandemic and allowing them to continue their operations safely and effectively. We are very proud to work hand in hand with SEHA to provide the highest quality of healthcare for all members of the community in line with international standards.”
And from his side, Dr Tarek Fathey, group chief executive officer, SEHA, said: “At SEHA, we are committed to providing the highest level of healthcare. We will continue to upgrade our research and development capabilities, our talent, and facilities in order to deliver the latest medical innovations to the community. Sheikh Khalifa Medical City will continue providing its medical services in adherence to the highest international standards including modern equipment and technology, as well as its first-class medical and administrative staff.”
To further enhance its readness to receive infectious diseases cases, including COVID-19 cases, Al Rahba hospital has increased its bed capacity, making the total number of beds more than 250 with 140 beds to acute care, 37 beds assigned to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 73 to surge care.
Fathey explained that Al Rahba Hospital was renovated and expanded to provide safe and fully equipped facilities that serve paitents, meet their needs and deliever the highest quality of care. Al Rhaba will be under Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), due to its in depth experience and legacy in advanced patient care as well as its crucial role in curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.”
DoH added that hospital admission for COVID-19 cases in the next period will be limited to Rahba Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Hospital in Al Ain City and other field hospitals across the emirate.
