Dubai Patients in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) who do not need overnight admissions may now use the first and only dedicated Daycare centre in the Northern Emirates at RAK Hospital.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, Tuesday inaugurated the 12-bed capacity Daycare centre, equipped with ultra-modern facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

During the opening ceremony, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Al Qasimi said: "Following the vision of His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the development of healthcare is one of the major priorities of the government. The Daycare Centre of RAK Hospital is considered an addition to the healthcare platform in Ras Al Khaimah."

"With its inauguration, we added a further milestone in achieving one of the government goals, which is providing the best medical facilities and expertise to the residents of the emirate," he added.

Spread across 3000 square feet, the Daycare centre offers consultation with specialists, preventive health checkups and lifestyle counselling.

It can also accommodate various types of surgeries, and hopes to perform at least 25 per cent of the hospital's total surgeries.

Day patients

"This centre will benefit those patients who are not required to be hospitalised and can be discharged on the same day. This is possible nowadays because of advanced surgical procedures such as key hole surgery, newer drugs used in anesthesia allowing patients to recover consciousness very quickly, excellent post operative care and effective pain relief using modern painkillers," Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director of RAK Hospital, said.

Minor eye, ear, nose, throat, urological, and gynecological procedures can be conducted in the new centre. Rheumatoid arthritis patients and those undergoing chemotherapy can also have their procedures done in the new centre,

The centre is supported by a fully fledged diagnostic centre equipped with advanced facilities for CT, Mammogram, X-Ray, other diagnostic requirements and comprehensive lab services.

'Patient-centred approach'

"The centre will testify our superior facilities, surgical expertise and services by taking holistic patient-centered approach and delivering same high quality care at nearly 50 percent less cost. It is wonderful to see this facility receive the support and recognition of leaders in our community" Sidiqqui said.

Siddiqui added that the opening of the centre is just the beginning of the expansion program of RAK Hospital, which was recently given the "Best Healing Environment Award" at the 2011 Hospital Build Awards at Arab Health.

"We have come a long way as we continue to undertake initiatives for the first time in Northern Emirates such as opening of 1st specialised cardiac unit, a fully equipped neurosurgery department, Joint replacement center, advanced minimal invasive surgery department and further plans to bring other key specialties to Ras Al Khaimah," Siddiqui said.