The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has signed an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Charity Foundation to expand the neonatal facilities within DHA hospitals.

The MoU is part of the foundation's corporate social responsibility initiatives, said Abdulla Al Ghurair, the chairman of the board of trustees of the Majid Al Futtaim Charity Foundation after signing the agreement with DHA director-general Essa Al Maidoor.

As part of the deal, MAF Charity Foundation will sponsor building the extension of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Latifa Hospital, he stated.
 
"The extension will help increase the capacity of beds in order to accommodate a higher number of premature newborns who need intensive care," he added.

The Dh24 million ($6.5 million) project which is scheduled to be completed within a year includes setting up a dedicated Nicu building which will be connected to the main hospital. The move will help provide an additional 18 Nicu beds for preterm babies.

Al Maidoor said, “We are very pleased that MAF Charity Foundation has decided to assist us in our expansion plans. It is a noble initiative that will significantly benefit the community. Neonatal services are of vital importance to serve the community and its youngest members.”

Prof Najib Al Khaja, the CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Charity Foundation said: “We recognize the need to expand these facilities given that the demand for these services will increase in the future. We have seen the dedication and commitment of the medical staff and nurses of the Nicu department at Latifa Hospital and we are keen to help them establish a state-of-the-art dedicated Nicu building.”

As part of the contract, DHA will be responsible for staffing and running the unit.

MAF Charity Foundation will fund the construction and provide the equipment for the extended unit of the Nicu. In terms of the functioning of the project, the steering, medical and technical committees from both parties will be involved in the completion of the project.

Dr Abdulrahim Mustafawi, the director of Medical Affairs at Latifa Hospital said: Latifa Hospital said, "Presently Latifa Hospital has the largest Nicu facility in the Middle-East. The 48 bed unit provides treatment and care for neonates from 24 weeks onwards."

"The hospital also manages genetic and metabolic cases. Since Latifa has an equipped Nicu and an expert team of neonatal and maternity specialists, it receives a majority of the neonatal cases in the emirate," he added.

Hana Tahwara, the director of Finance and Administration at Latifa Hospital said: “In addition to receiving the youngest preterm babies, the hospital also receives complicated cases and that the hospital is known for managing high risk cases both in terms of maternity and neonates."

"Given the demand of the services of the hospital, the expansion of the NICU will significantly help the hospital," she added.-TradeArabia News Service