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Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) today unveiled an ambitious plan that will deliver extensive benefits to patients - more than doubling hospital beds across Qatar and tripling car parking spaces at Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City (HBKMC). Between 2015 and 2030, hospital beds will increase from 2100 to over 4200 and, within the same timeframe, car parking spaces will increase from 8,000 to 24,000.
The HMC Facilities Master Plan will have a significant impact on the delivery of healthcare services in Qatar, more than doubling the specialist clinics available across the Hamad system as well as doubling operating theater capacity. Between 2015 and 2030, specialist clinics will increase from 400 to over 1000 and, within the same timeframe, operating theater capacity will increase from 40 to more than 90.
The plan will see the regeneration of HMC’s central Doha campus and development of an integrated, nationwide network of hospitals, services and care centers – in what is one of the region’s largest healthcare expansion projects.
“Qatar is a modern and rapidly evolving country whose citizens and residents deserve easy access to sophisticated services and facilities as well as high quality healthcare,” said Hanan Al Kuwari PhD, HMC’s Managing Director. “We have the opportunity to completely rethink how, what and where Hamad delivers care to our patients. This Master Plan is a major expansion and modernization of the country’s healthcare infrastructure and service delivery model and will result in lasting benefits to our patients and the nation.
“We are incredibly proud that our plans, designed by our award-winning in-house team here at HMC, have been approved by His Excellency the Minister of Health Abdulla Bin Khalid Al Qahtani and His Excellency the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani . We look forward to repaying their trust and faith in us as we set about delivering a truly world-class healthcare plan fit for future generations.”
The Master Plan will expand and unify HMC’s current sites to enhance HBKMC, a high-tech healthcare, research and education district in central Doha. Major features of the new HBKMC campus include unified clusters of clinical services, enhanced access for public transport, more hospital beds, additional parking facilities as well as leading edge healing, restorative and functional design.
“By bringing our Doha facilities together onto one unified campus, HMC’s expansion plans will bring comprehensive and integrated services and facilities to patients, visitors and our staff as well as providing the best environment to attract, retain and inspire the best talent,” Dr. Al Kuwari said.
Building on recent new facility openings including the Enaya Specialized Care Center, the Supportive and Palliative Care Unit at National Center for Cancer Care and Research and the Heart Hospital, the plan also includes a significant expansion of HMC’s services outside of Doha bringing the care and services patients need closer to them.
The Master Plan also seeks to revolutionize HMC’s service delivery in areas outside of Doha with a network of new ambulatory care centers across Qatar. Hubs for secondary care will also be created at Al Khor, Al Wakra, and Cuban Hospitals using the model of one program of care across multiple sites.
“This plan builds on our track record of expanding services and developing new facilities including the Cuban Hospital, the National Diabetes Centers in Al Wakra and Hamad General Hospitals and the award-winning PET-CT Center. Soon we will also open the Communicable Diseases Hospital, and expand our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as well as new operating theaters, trauma services and car parking facilities,” said Hamad Al Khalifa, Chief of Facilities at HMC.
Following the near-term projects, HMC will also continue to focus on the opening of three new specialist hospitals and a translational research center in HBKMC. Construction is progressing on the Ambulatory Care Center, Women’s Wellness and Research Center and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. Once the buildings are finished there will be a period of commissioning which requires the installation of high-tech and complex medical equipment. These steps are an essential part of preparing to provide high quality specialist care.
There are a series of facilities in the planning stage including renovations and expansions to existing hospitals, a new hospital for tertiary care, a new hospital for cancer care, a new metabolic center, a new neurosciences center, new diagnostic and treatment centers, a school of clinical services and expansions to physiotherapy, critical care, children’s services, blood bank and mental health services.
“HMC has been the leading healthcare provider in Qatar for almost 40 years and this plan will ensure we continue to lead the way for many generations to come. The new and enhanced facilities and network of services will support and reinforce HMC’s mission to provide the safest, most effective and compassionate care to each and every one of our patients,” said Hamad Al Khalifa.
