DOHA: The newly expanded, two-storey Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) annex at Women’s Hospital was officially inaugurated by Minister of Public Health H E Abdulla bin Khalid Al Qahtani yesterday.
The NICU provides the utmost level of care for high risk or critically ill newborns.
Babies suffering from serious medical concerns caused by being born too early (prematurity), respiratory distress, cardiac disease, congenital anomalies, multi-system organ failure and other problems are cared for in the specialised, highly advanced, 107-cot unit dedicated to their care.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam); Abdulaziz Nassir Al Ansari, Secretary and Acting Executive Director, Daam; Ahmad Salem Al Ali, Director of Programmes, Daam; and Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation, attending the opening event.
“The opening of the unit enables us to offer expecting mothers access to the most advanced equipment and facilities in the country. As the GCC’s largest NICU, we will be able to provide an unprecedented scope of services, and redefined space, while ensuring the highest international standard of care, and privacy for the most at risk babies and their families in Qatar,” said Dr Al Kuwari.
The unit’s new location offers a comforting and relaxing environment for patients within rooms fitted with quality furnishings and most advanced facilities and equipment. Privacy and dignity for families are afforded in a suite set apart from the main circulation.
“Women’s Hospital has also introduced a neonatal developmental care model that will change the current neonatal philosophy and its environment into an individualised understanding of needs for patients and families. The model will focus on optimising short and long-term physical, mental, emotional growth and supports positive health outcomes for neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units across HMC,” said Dr Al Kuwari.
Al Qahtani, Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, and Dr Al Kuwari toured the extension and reviewed the new space, which includes an extra 27 cots, four mother and baby rooms, support areas and ‘quiet rooms’ for private conversations between parents and consultants.
On Daam’s contribution to NICU expansion project, Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani said, “Daam is passionate about furthering Qatar National Vision 2030 by enhancing the quality of life for everyone, including the tiniest and most fragile people of Qatar. We are committed to promoting the interests of this nation and will continue to provide support across sports, culture, social and charitable activities.”
The Peninsula
