H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, officially inaugurated a new, leading-edge surgical services facility at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) on 9 June, 2016 in a ceremony attended by H.E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, and senior leaders from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

The opening of the facility significantly expands HMC’s surgical services capacity and provides a bespoke complex in which HMC’s expert surgical teams can treat patients using the most technologically advanced equipment.

The new 10,000 square meter development features 20 ultramodern surgical theaters, a 19-bed Trauma Intensive Care Unit, a 15-bed Surgical Intensive Care Unit and three hybrid operating rooms that provide state-of-the-art real-time imaging through CT, MRI, Brain Lab and Artis Zeego imaging technology. One of the new operating theaters also features the latest high-tech robotic surgery apparatus – the da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which Hamad surgeons use to perform a variety of specialist and general surgeries.

The expansion of HGH’s surgical services is part of an ambitious and comprehensive plan to increase capacity and revitalize the country’s largest hospital. The facility is situated adjacent to the large-scale HGH Emergency Department re-development site currently under construction.

H.E. Al Kuwari said that the new facility is an important milestone for Qatar’s public healthcare system. “The new surgical services facility at Hamad General Hospital highlights the significant foresight the Qatar leadership and government has shown in developing the country’s public healthcare system,” said H.E. Al Kuwari.

“The new operating theaters truly transform and modernize the surgical environment at the country’s busiest academic hospital, providing the latest technologically advanced operating rooms and surgical equipment, as well as dynamic pre- and post- operative settings that emphasize patient safety and comfort,” said H.E. Al Kuwari.

“The expansion is an integral component of HMC’s Facilities Master Plan to extend surgical, trauma and emergency health services infrastructure with innovative services and amenities enhancing the hospital’s surgical capacity and capabilities, providing the most advanced surgical services available to the Qatar population,” added H.E. Dr. Al Kuwari.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health were shown the extensive features of the new operating theaters and intensive care units by staff of the new facility.

HMC’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Surgical Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, who guided the tour, said that the operating theaters met and exceeded world standards for patient safety, surgical technology and equipment.

“Everything within the theaters and the trauma and surgical ICUs are of the highest world standards. We now have world-class surgeons operating in world-class settings,” said Dr. Al Ansari.

“As an example, the new theaters have preventative anti-microbial measures, such as open scrub-in, barrier doors that seal off surgical units, advanced positive-negative air pressure technology, which all combine to protect our patients and staff from acquiring or transferring airborne microbes,” added Dr. Al Ansari.

“The new Trauma Intensive (TICU) and Surgical Intensive Care units are key components of the newly expanded facility and provide advanced post-operative care for surgical patients in superior healing environments. The TICU will provide advanced care for trauma patients, including those with trauma to the chest or abdomen, with multiple fractures, and patients with severe head and spinal injuries,” commented Dr. Hassan Al Thani, Head of Trauma and Vascular Surgery at HMC.

Prof. Marco Marcus, Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Unit and Perioperative Medicine at HMC said: “The Surgical Intensive Care Unit is of the highest international standards, comparable to the best units in the world. Patients within the unit will benefit from close monitoring using specialist equipment and support from our expert care teams.”

HGH Medical Director Dr. Yousuf Al Maslamani said the remit for the new operating theater ward was to maximize positive surgical outcomes.

“We continue to apply the highest globally recognized standards for patient safety measures, maintain a highly trained surgical roster, encourage teaching moments for our residents and interns, and always take action that promotes positive patient outcomes,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.

The new surgical services facility is purposely designed to enhance the patient experience, including dynamic lighting in theaters to create a calming environment. The facility also includes a new parking area for 800 cars and a rooftop helipad for emergency transfer of patients to the hospital.

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