Cuban Hospital to increase outpatient capacity by 30%

Tribune News NetworkDohaHamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) The Cuban Hospital has embarked on a 24-month-long construction programme as part of a major expansion effort aimed at enhancing the patient experience and improving access to specialized medical care for the population living in Dukhan and the western districts of Qatar. The expansion works, which commenced earlier this year, are expected to continue until late 2020 and will help the hospital meet the increased demand for current and future services.“The ongoing work is part of HMC’s overall expansion program aimed at enhancing the experience of our patients. These renovations will allow us to provide faster access to high-quality specialist services and will see significant enhancements to several key service areas,” said Dr. Angel Mario Felipe Garmendia, Medical Director, The Cuban Hospital."This is both an exciting and challenging time and there may be a temporary disruption to some existing public and patient areas. While we are making every effort to minimize disruptions, our community will notice some temporary changes, specifically to entrances, parking areas, and patient drop off zones, and we ask patients and the public to bear with us. This construction and renovation project is extensive and is an essential part of helping ensure we can continue to meet the healthcare needs of our community,” noted Dr. Garmendia.The Cuban Hospital was officially opened in January 2012 as a joint project between the governments of Qatar and Cuba. It functions in collaboration with HMC and has more than 450 Cuban staff. Dr. Garmendia noted that the hospital has seen a sharp rise in patient visits in recent years, recording over 85,000 outpatient visits and nearly 6,500 inpatients in 2018, compared to 63,000 outpatient visits and 4,700 inpatient visits in 2016. He said the expansion work is necessary to meet the demands of the rapidly growing community.“Once completed, this expansion work will result in a 30 percent increase in outpatient clinic capacity, and specifically new obstetric clinics that will be integrated into the maternity wing and upgrades to our Bone and Joint Unit that will include additional consultation clinics, outpatient x-ray, and a satellite pharmacy,” added Dr. Garmendia.The expansion works also includes upgrades to some inpatient rooms, operating theaters, and imaging equipment, as well as replacement of car park canopies, fire and safety system improvements, and enhancements to the hospital’s security camera systems. The works will also see the construction of a mosque on the hospital grounds and a purpose-built chemical decontamination unit, which will be the first of its kind in the western region of Qatar and is part of efforts to support World Cup 2022 readiness.The Cuban Hospital provides all medical and surgical services in more than 25 specialties and plays an important role in helping to relieve pressure on other HMC hospitals.