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Trauma centre to open in March

DUBAI — The first of its kind in the region, a new trauma centre adjacent to the Rashid Hospital will open its doors to the public by March.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Qadhi Saeed Al Maroshed, Director-General of Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), said: “The trauma centre is one of the ambitious projects set to fulfil the department’s strategies for excellence, since it will match world-class trauma centres worldwide.”

Al Maroshed also announced a three-year strategic partnership with a Canadian company, InterHealth Canada. InterHealth Canada will be managing the centre and its operations alongwith the Dohms.

Al Maroshed said that the commissioning was done on January 7 and the centre was already accepting patients but it would be fully operational by the end of the year.

The New Accident and Emergency Trauma Centre is a two-storey building located at the backside of Rashid Hospital main building and linked with the hospital from the ground and first floor. The ground floor consists of emergency receiving area for both ambulance and walk-in. The first floor consists of three operating theatres, recovery areas, intensive care unit, physiotherapy and two male/female wards. “We have world-class physicians and surgeons and other important staff to manage the centre,” said Al Maroshed.

Dispelling the notion that the location of the centre was prone to traffic congestion, Al Maroshed said that it was located in the centre of Dubai and was connected by two bridges (Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud) besides Shaikh Zayed Road. “We also have a separate entry and exit for the centre. All work has been done professionally,” he said adding that the centre had seven receiving platforms for ambulances.

“Forty-three top people will offer training to the 650-odd staff at the trauma centre so that by the end of the contract we can be self-sufficient,” said Al Maroshed. He also made it clear that after a period of three years, the centre would be run by locally based staff.

Graham Rush, Head of Consulate and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate of Canada, said: “Canada has developed state-of-the-art medical facilities. We believe that this is a strategic partnership and we are delighted to be part of this initiative.”