A Dh40 million hospital is to be built in Al Digdaga, following a donation from a UAE businessman.

Rashid Abdullah Omran Bin Ahmad told Gulf News he has informed the Ministry of Health and the Medical District he will sponsor the construction of the new hospital, to be called the Abdullah Bin Omran Hospital, after his father.

He has also donated a 250,000 square foot plot of land on International Airport Street, near Julfar, for its construction.

There are no nearby hospitals in the area.

Facilities at the Dh40 million hospital will include a 24-hour casualty unit, a paediatric and surgical department, dental services, a laboratory and an X-ray unit, health officials said.

"There will be an open budget for the construction of the new hospital, which will be constructed according to the most advanced international standards.

"All the areas surrounding Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, including Al Digdaga, Al Humraniya, Al Gheel, Khatt and Adhan, will benefit from the health services offered by the new hospital. The new hospital will cover huge areas, reaching Dibba.

"My main objective in donating the land and sponsoring the construction of the new hospital is as a national duty and a charitable act in memory of my deceased father, who loved the UAE and dedicated his entire life for the well-being of its residents," said Rashid Abdullah.

The businessman said Ministry of Health officials had advised him to build the hospital in Al Digdaga as they felt a hospital was needed there.

"I accepted the recommendations of the ministry with no hesitation and by chance I own a huge plot of land in that area, so I donated it to make it easier for the ministry. I have chosen to build a hospital, not a mosque or a school, as people can learn and pray wherever, but people usually stand in need of health services and the hospital will be operational at the earliest to meet the needs of the public," he said.

Head of the Ras Al Khaimah Medical District, Dr Yasser Eisa Al Nuaimi, said the new hospital would have 50 beds. He said the Medical District and the Ministry of Health appreciated the UAE national's generous donation.

He said the Ministry of Health would be responsible for furnishing the hospital and providing it with the necessary equipment.