Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has started construction work on its new state-of-the-art hospital with an estimated cost of Dh2.2 billion ($598.5 million) in Abu Dhabi.

The new hospital in the Mafraq area is designed to accommodate both the current operational demand of the existing hospital and the expected increased demand population growth of the community it will create. The old facility will continue to provide a range of healthcare services until the new facility is fully functional, a statement said.

The new Mafraq Hospital will eventually contain 739 beds and provide 139 outpatient clinics and will serve as a centre for thoracic and orthopedic surgery and burn treatment in the Emirate.

The new hospital is designed by Burt Hill, Allen and Shariff Corporation is the project manager.

Seha signed a formal agreement for the construction of the hospital yesterday (March 14) with the Al Habtoor Leighton Murray Roberts JV.

“We are pleased to announce that construction works have commenced in our new replacement hospital in Mafraq,” said Saif Al Qubaisi, chairman and managing director of Seha.

“This is a major undertaking that is scheduled for completion by mid 2014. Our new state-of-the-art facilities have been carefully planned and conceptualized to offer the best healthcare services and standards to meet the expectations of the residents in the emirate.”

“The new Mafraq hospital will be equipped with excellent modern facilities and the latest equipment to ensure world class specialized healthcare. We congratulate the Al Habtoor Leighton Murray Roberts JV on their contract award. We look forward to working with them to create this impressive structure,” he added.

The new facility will triple the examination and treatment rooms of the existing hospital – up to 60 from the original facility’s 19.

The outpatient clinic’s capacity will also be increased 58 per cent, to 139 rooms from the current 88. The new facility will be spread across 245,000 sq m and will host underground parking facilities for 1300 vehicles.

“The piling and excavation works have been completed on schedule, and we are very much on track,” said Saif Fadhel Al Hameli, facilities and construction chief for Seha.

“The new hospital, which will be built with a capacity of 529 beds, will be operational from the scheduled opening in April 2014. The full capacity 739 beds will eventually cover patient demand post 2018,” he added.

The new hospital will have all the latest equipment and services of a fine general hospital.  Included will be four patient towers dedicated to different patient services.  The hospital is designed with separate visitor/patient elevator cores, eliminating cross-traffic between visitors and patients.

Each floor includes waiting areas filled with natural light and a visible connection to the outside environment.

Gardens and “healing areas” with benches and water features are included.  The lobby is open and airy with water and glass features, retail space and visitor relaxation areas that give the feeling of being in a fine hotel rather than a hospital. There are four towers; the outside towers are 10 stories and the central towers are 12 stories.

Medical/surgical beds dominate three of the towers with CCU and MICU beds in the lower floors.  The two Royal Suites and 32 VVIP suites are in the upper floors of the central towers.

“We are very proud to have secured the contract and be able to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s healthcare infrastructure improvements for a better future. It’s a pleasure to work with Seha on this major project, where we will deploy over 250 permanent staff and 6,000 workers at the peak of project development,” said Laurie Voyer, CEO and managing director of the Al Habtoor Leighton Group.

“The joint venture is committed to meeting the expectations of Seha management and the vision of the Government of Abu Dhabi in delivering this magnificent new hospital and to helping provide the highest standards of healthcare for the population of the UAE,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service