Doha, 9 January, 2020: The Daam Specialized Care Center was officially opened today. The new specialist facility will provide round-the-clock care to elderly Qatari patients who no longer need to be in hospital but require long-term, inpatient medical care. The facility will also treat some patients in need of short-term respite care.
The official opening of the new specialized facility was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, the Minister of Public Health, and His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Bin Saoud Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sports and Social Activities Support Fund (Daam). The new facility will accommodate 68 patients and provide occupational therapy, recreational therapy, physiotherapy, and medical and nursing care, all in a comfortable, home-like environment. The Daam Specialized Care Center joins HMC’s existing Enaya Specialized Care Centers, which have been caring for patients since 2010.
Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari said Daam has been an important partner for healthcare development in the country, having previously provided financial support for neonatal care services at HMC.
“This new facility will have a lasting legacy for our population and will improve our health system’s ability to provide long-term care services in the country for the elderly. Residents of the Daam Specialized Care Center will benefit from programs and services that are tailored to the level of care they require. Like our Enaya Specialized Care Centers, this facility has been designed to create a comfortable, home-like environment in the community; a space that provides the best quality patient-centered medical care while supporting patients in regaining or maintaining optimal levels of functioning,” said Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari.
“The collaboration between Daam and HMC will enrich Qatar’s health system. It is an excellent example of how community partnerships can help reduce wait times and ensure care services are available in the most appropriate setting. We thank Daam for their support of health initiatives,” added Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari.
In late 2017 Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari and His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Daam Specialized Care Center. The donation from Daam covered one hundred percent of the costs to retrofit and commission the new facility.
His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani said his organization was pleased to collaborate with HMC in the improvement of the country’s healthcare infrastructure and the provision of care for Qatar’s elderly. He said the new specialized care facility supports both organizations’ aim to promote the welfare of the people of Qatar on the social level.
“The opening of the Daam Specialized Care Center marks the culmination of the projects and initiatives that we have implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation. The health sector in Qatar has seen significant developments over the past years, thanks to the combined national efforts to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare, as best befits Qatar and its citizens,” said His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani.
“Our organization will continue to support and encourage initiatives that contribute to achieving Qatar’s national vision in all vital sectors in the country,” added His Excellency Sheikh Al Thani.
The Daam Specialized Care Center is connected to the Enaya Specialized Care Centers via a link bridge, allowing for efficiencies in staffing, equipment, and space. Mr. Mahmoud Al Raisi, Chief of Continuing Care at HMC, said in the coming weeks patients will be transitioned to the new facility.
“The first and second floors of the facility will provide care for elderly patients who require long-term mechanical ventilation, while the third and fourth floors will care for older adults with dementia, other forms of cognitive impairment, and those who require functional rehabilitative care,” said Mr. Al Raisi.
“Unlike a traditional hospital environment, the Daam Specialized Care Center has been tailored to meet the needs of our longer-term care patients. All rooms are private, have enough space to accommodate family and include an en suite bathroom. They are also unique in featuring a wide range of artworks from a number of renowned Qatari artists.The Center has been designed to be warm and as home-like as possible and is a step in the right direction to alleviating wait times in our hospitals, which has been a key priority for HMC. This wonderful new facility will help more people access the care they need in their community, close to family and friends,” added Mr. Al Raisi.
The first Enaya Specialized Care Center opened in 2010. Then called the Skilled Nursing Facility, it was the first of its kind in the region, providing round-the-clock monitoring and treatment from specialist nurses and doctors. Five years later, the facility was expanded to meet the needs of the country’s growing population and in 2015 the Enaya Specialized Care Centers 1 and 2 officially opened. Today, these facilities provide a healing environment with over 150 patient beds.
In recent years, HMC has made major strides towards redefining continuing care in Qatar. In addition to the two existing Enaya Specialized Care Centers, the Corporation operates two community-based facilities in Muaither and a multi-disciplinary Home Healthcare Service which cares for patients across Qatar.
