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Al Qasimi to be upgraded to varsity hospital status

A contract, confirming this initiative, was signed yesterday between the Ministry of Health and Victorian Healthcare Association Global, who are offering the first international collaboration in setting up the university hospital in Sharjah.

The UAE Minister of Health, Mohammed Humaid Al Quttami, said the idea was to build up local capabilities and develop strategic plans. "The Qasimi Hospital renovation project has been undertaken to enhance the services of the hospital and its two primary healthcare centres," he said.

Dr Mariam Mattar, Under-Secretary for Public Health and Primary Healthcare said the 200-bed hospital would include an extension of the gynaecology department, a full-fledged open heart surgery unit, obstetrics and a paediatric department. She explained that the project will prepare the hospital for international accreditation and also provide systems to train local senior staff on all aspects of modern hospital operations and enhance the physical facilities to accommodate the teaching and learning needs of students of medicine in the UAE.

According to the new plans, Al Qasimi Hospital Departments will be transferred to a much more advanced and modern hospital with modern administrative standards. The existing specialised units will be renovated, while other departments will be added to meet the increasing population's demand for such services. The move comes as part of the ministry's plans to modernise public hospitals in order to provide appropriate healthcare for the community and catch up with technological advances worldwide.

Don Kay, chairman, VHA Global said the association would provide both logistical and administrative support to the project including handling of policies and systems.

The project will be implemented in three years and will be carried out under the supervision of the Australian management in consultation and coordination with the ministry. The hospital will also be linked to the College of Medicine in the University of Sharjah for offering teaching services. The Ambassador of Australia to the UAE, Jeremy Bruer signed the contract on behalf of VHA Global and Al Qutami on behalf of MoH.

• UAE