A new nine-bed unit in the Intensive Care Department (ICU) of Dubai Hospital will be operational by the end of this year, adding to the many expansion projects of the Dubai Health Authority, said a top official.

“This project aims to expand the healthcare services in Dubai to provide high quality and accessible services to the population of Dubai,” added Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority.

He said the unit known as a ‘step-down unit’ will receive patients who require 24 hours close observation post an operation and patients who have recovered from a critical illness and need post intensive critical care monitoring.

Al Murooshid listened to the detailed overview provided by Dr Hussain Al Rahma, Head of ICU at Dubai Hospital, who provided an overview of the services of the department.

Dr Al Rahma highlighted, “The step-down unit has all the features of an ICU and is equipped with the latest monitoring and ventilation devices.”

He said the hospital receives 300 to 500 cases that need ICU care annually, including cases from the private sector and the Northern Emirates and that the move to expand this service will help enhance the existing services provided at the authority.

He explained that presently the hospital has nine medical ICU beds, nine surgical ICU beds, nine neonatal ICU beds, which will be expanded to 12 beds in the near future and nine ICU beds in the coronary care unit of the hospital for cardiac patients.

He said the hospital has appointed five new physicians and 30 nurses for the new step-down ICU unit. – TradeArabia News Service