Oldest RAK hospital gets Dh85-million facelift

Renovation of the 40-year-old Shaam Hospital in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) will be completed in April, Khaleej Times has learnt. A source at the Ministry of Public Works told Khaleej Times that about 90 per cent of the work has been completed.
The new hospital, worth Dh85 million, will cater to patients of the northern areas of RAK.
"The 30-bed hospital is a replacement of the Shaam Hospital, which is one of the oldest in the country. It was first built as a medical centre in 1973, and turned into a hospital in 1982."
The 8,000-sqm hospital consists of two floors, of which the first includes outpatient clinics, assistance services, administration, two operation rooms, delivery section, and an intensive care unit, the source said.
"The second floor consists of two wards for men and women indoor patients."
Ahmed Al Mahbubi, director of the hospital, said the building has been made of recyclable materials. It is an environment-friendly building and will save power and water consumption, and reduce harmful emissions by 30 to 50 per cent.
"The construction works of the 11-section premises started in 2013 on the land of the old Ahmed bin Majid School, at the coast of the Sham Sea." He said the hospital is now almost double the area of the old hospital.
"It will be offering all the health service along with specialised medical care to the people of Sham, Al Jeer, and Ghalila areas, and nearby districts." Mahbubi said that the old Sham Hospital has received 51,072 patients until April last year.
"The number of patients will be increasing with the expected 40 per cent rise in the hospital capacity."His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of RAK, earmarked land for the new hospital for future expansion in June last year.
Dr Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Director of the RAK Medical Zone, said the project is a quantum leap to the health services of the emirate.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com