Al Qaraen Health centre to serve 70,000 residents

By PMA RASHEED 

18 Feb 2011, The Gulf Today

As many as 70,000 residents living in Sharjah’s Al Qaraen residential area and nighbouring localities Al Badee, Saijaan, Al Rahmanyia and Al Bataeh will now be able to enjoy global standards in healthcare services within their reach. 

The Al Qaraen Health Centre is the newest in the list of public sector health facilities that the ministry has been developing to meet the increasing need of  Sharjah population, said a top official at the Ministry of Health (MoH). 

Dr Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim, the UAE Minister for Health, opened Al Qaraen Health Centre in Sharjah on Wednesday. 

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saqer Al Qassimi, director of Sharjah Medical Zone said the centre is expected to contribute to the mechanism to meet the escalating requirements for provision of healthcare services in accordance with the growth of population. 

“The health centre is equipped to provide a variety of high quality medical services, including general treatment and health education services under one umbrella to all residents and school students living in the area,” he added. 

“The services available at the centre range from normal blood test procedures to pre-marital examinations and vaccinations, and dental treatment to mammogram tests for early breast cancer detection,” pointed out Al Qassimi. 

“The health centre has been built in a total area of 1425.25 square metres, with a service building spanning over 51.80 square metres, in addition to other general facilities.”

“The health centre has eight consultation rooms, two treatment rooms and two dental clinics, radiology and laboratory departments, pharmacy, registration area for patients and other amenities,” he elaborated. 

According to him, the centre is also equipped with medical and operational equipment, and 32 professionals from various medical and technical specialisations. 

“The centre had been operational on a trial basis since June 1, 2011, and during the six months about 4716 patients visited the facility. About 371 patients, out of the total visitors, underwent dental treatment and 1459 consulted for other diseases,” noted Al Qassimi. 

Dr Hanif Hassan said, “Among the several new health facilities announced to open in the Northern Emirates this year, three primary healthcare centres have been slated to open in Nizwa, Al Batayeh and Shees areas of Sharjah.” 

“The ministry is developing a number of health facilities either through renovation or construction of new primary healthcare centres or hospitals, equipped with the latest medical supplies and equipment of international standards to ensure quality medical services provided to the UAE citizens and residents,” he indicated. 

“A wide range of strategies are also being implemented focusing on continuous medical training and provision of advanced technologies to health facilities to ensure global standard medical practices,” he added. 

Dr Salem Abdul Rahman Al Darmaki, acting undersecretary of the MoH, said, “Currently, the ministry is planning to unveil three hospitals, worth Dhs279 million, in the Northern Emirates. The health facilities, handed over to the ministry last year, are expected to open this year.” 

“Another hospital also will be handed over to the Ministry of Health by the Ministry of Public Works this year,” he said.

Besides, five more hospital projects are under construction at an estimated investment of up to Dhs1.25 billion,” he added.