DOHA: The first hospital in the region dedicated to diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious diseases is getting ready at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
The 65-bed purpose-built Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) is among the seven new hospitals of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) slated to open by the end of next year.
The centre will also house a travel medicine clinic where people can have pre-travel vaccinations and advice.
The new development is included in HMC’s expansion plans to provide faster access to high quality, specialised care.
Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Infectious Diseases, said the centre will focus primarily on the management of infectious diseases of public health importance, including tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/Aids), hepatitis and leprosy.
The centre will also provide care to patients with infections that need prolonged treatment such as osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone or bone marrow, usually due to infection).
“The centre is the first facility of its kind in the region and will set the standard for diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious diseases as well as research into these conditions,” said Dr Al Khal.
“It will not only play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of patients with infectious diseases in Qatar but will also provide leadership in education and preventative measures, while supporting HMC’s public health mission,” he added.
Dr Muna Al Maslamani, Senior Consultant of Infectious Diseases, said: “Where needed, the centre would also play a role in the identification, treatment and management of other highly infectious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), H1N1, SARS and Ebola in times of epidemics and pandemics which makes it unique in the region.
“As the designated facility for dealing with infectious diseases, another focus of the centre will be on initiating preventative measures in identifying outbreaks, managing them and strengthening Qatar’s response to health threats they may pose to the country,” Dr Al Maslamani said.
The centre will work alongside the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar’s Academic Health System partners and private healthcare organisations to provide trusted guidance, disease tracking and support to ensure Qatar can respond quickly and effectively to health threats emanating from infectious diseases.
In addition to comprehensive inpatient services for infectious disease and those who need hospitalisation, the facility also houses outpatient clinics, including pre-marital counselling and education for those with blood-borne pathogens.
It will operate a specialised travel medicine outpatient clinic where people can go for vaccinations and health advice before travelling. It will also have a pharmacy, radiology facilities and National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, which diagnose, tracks and monitors the illness.
The CDC will be the first hospital in the new Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City campus to open, with Women’s Wellness and Research Centre; Ambulatory Care Centre; and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute — all scheduled to open in the coming months.
The Peninsula
DOHA: The first hospital in the region dedicated to diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious diseases is getting ready at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
The 65-bed purpose-built Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) is among the seven new hospitals of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) slated to open by the end of next year.
The centre will also house a travel medicine clinic where people can have pre-travel vaccinations and advice.
The new development is included in HMC’s expansion plans to provide faster access to high quality, specialised care.
Dr Abdullatif Al Khal, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Infectious Diseases, said the centre will focus primarily on the management of infectious diseases of public health importance, including tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/Aids), hepatitis and leprosy.
The centre will also provide care to patients with infections that need prolonged treatment such as osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone or bone marrow, usually due to infection).
“The centre is the first facility of its kind in the region and will set the standard for diagnosis, treatment and management of infectious diseases as well as research into these conditions,” said Dr Al Khal.
“It will not only play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of patients with infectious diseases in Qatar but will also provide leadership in education and preventative measures, while supporting HMC’s public health mission,” he added.
Dr Muna Al Maslamani, Senior Consultant of Infectious Diseases, said: “Where needed, the centre would also play a role in the identification, treatment and management of other highly infectious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), H1N1, SARS and Ebola in times of epidemics and pandemics which makes it unique in the region.
“As the designated facility for dealing with infectious diseases, another focus of the centre will be on initiating preventative measures in identifying outbreaks, managing them and strengthening Qatar’s response to health threats they may pose to the country,” Dr Al Maslamani said.
The centre will work alongside the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar’s Academic Health System partners and private healthcare organisations to provide trusted guidance, disease tracking and support to ensure Qatar can respond quickly and effectively to health threats emanating from infectious diseases.
In addition to comprehensive inpatient services for infectious disease and those who need hospitalisation, the facility also houses outpatient clinics, including pre-marital counselling and education for those with blood-borne pathogens.
It will operate a specialised travel medicine outpatient clinic where people can go for vaccinations and health advice before travelling. It will also have a pharmacy, radiology facilities and National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, which diagnose, tracks and monitors the illness.
The CDC will be the first hospital in the new Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City campus to open, with Women’s Wellness and Research Centre; Ambulatory Care Centre; and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute — all scheduled to open in the coming months.
The Peninsula
