Ras Al Khaimah: Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated on Sunday the new Dh 100 million RAK Hospital, a multi- specialty healthcare facility which will be managed by Sonnenhof Swiss Health, a leading healthcare group in Switzerland.

The ultramodern hospital, which will have 65 beds in the first phase, will offer comprehensive medical care by internationally renowned doctors using state-of-the-art medical facilities.

Joint initiative

The RAK Hospital is a joint initiative between the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and ETA-Star Healthcare, which is part of the Dubai- based ETA Star Group.

In his opening address, Shaikh Saud said that the new healthcare facility is part of RAK Government's endeavour to provide quality healthcare with international standards for the people of Ras Al Khaimah and make RAK the premium healthcare destination for the local and regional community, while adhering to international accreditation standards.

"RAK Hospital will be the cornerstone of our mission to position Ras Al Khaimah as a pre-eminent destination for quality healthcare in the region. The venture, seeking to redefine excellence in medical care, is in line with our broad vision to improve the quality of health care, and ultimately, the health status of our people," he added.

Shaikh Saud said that RAK Hospital is unique for the fact that it brings together both public and private healthcare delivery systems to create an environment that allows for premium quality care. He noted that the facility was designed to create a patient-focused healing environment.

Facilities

Located adjacent to Saqr Hospital, RAK Hospital blends hi-tech medical care and patient comfort in an environment of luxury and functionality.

The three-level complex, spreading across 140,000 square feet, offers three suite rooms, nine super deluxe rooms, 24 deluxe rooms, eight intensive care units, six nursery units and four NICU - all equipped with most modern medical facilities.

Essa Al Ghurair, Vice Chairman, ETA Star Group and Vice Chairman of Al Ghurair Investments, said the hospital marks a milestone in Ras Al Khaimah's drive to establish quality healthcare infrastructure. "We are committed to be part of this noble endeavor which promises to make the emirate a sought-after destination for world-class medicare in the Middle East."

Syed Salahuddin, Managing Director of ETA Star Group, said that the partnership with Sonnenhof Swiss Health enables RAK Hospital to bring to the region a wealth of expertise to match acclaimed Swiss standards.

Design

Designed by US- based Ellerbe Becket of Mayo Clinic repute as per American Institute of Architects (AIA) standards, the hospital features carefully planned Intensive Care units, treatment rooms, laboratories and surgical suites to facilitate leading-edge medical care.

The unique design elements will reduce noise, increase patient comfort and support the latest medical technology.

Five-star rooms

Peter Kappert, Chairman& CEO of Sonnenhof, said patients would receive utmost care in spacious five-star rooms that offer ample space for families to be part of the care team.

"With a cadre of specialist doctors and medical technology experts, what we promise is quality health care - the right treatment, for patients, at the right time in the right environment," he said.

Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director of ETA Star Healthcare, said that the 65-bed hospital will be upgraded to 150 beds in the next two years.

He said that RAK Hospital was among the select few hospitals in the region to be designed as per Joint Commission international (JCI) standards.

"Hopefully this would be the first hospital which will go for JCI accreditation in the very first year of operations," he said, adding that RAK Hospital will also have accreditation from Swiss Leading Hospitals.

He said that the hospital will have the services of leading Swiss and Indian consultants for specialty treatments like neurosurgery and joint replacement.

The inaugural function was attended by a number of dignitaries, including Shaikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ruler's Private Affairs Department, Shaikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Finance Department and RAK Free Trade Zone, Colonel Shaikh Talib Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chief of RAK Police, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Shaikh Abdul Malik Bin Kayed Al Qasimi, other shaikhs, Dr Ali Shakar, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health, among others.