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Today's News | Dubai | January 4, 2007
Low-cost maternity hospital gains ground
By Debasree
S., Contributing Editor
(ArabMedicare.com) A low-cost maternity hospital is clearly
gaining ground in Dubai. What with most corporate health insurance
companies leaving out maternity care from its purview, an increasing
percentage of middle class expatriates are getting hooked on to the
'affordability factor' to protect themselves.
The Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) and the Ministry
of Health (MOH) which until three years ago, provided maternity services
absolutely free of cost at its hospitals, are now charging quite a
packet for the same, while most private hospitals like the American
Hospital or the Belhoul Specialty Hospital are beyond the reach of
middle-class salaried expatriates.
Caught in the bind, expatriates have been left with little option than
to scout around for budget hospitals.
It is here that the newly-opened Al Rafa Hospital for Maternity and
Surgery has carved a niche for itself, providing antenatal and delivery
packages at affordable prices but without compromising on quality.
"Our charges are at par with the government hospitals, like the Al
Wasl Hospital, yet all mothers-to-be and new-borns get personalized
attention," says Dr. Shanila Laiju, Manager Operations, at the
hospital.
In an exclusive interview with ArabMedicare.com, Dr. Laiju said that the
hospital, albeit a 20-bed one, has grown in popularity ever since it
opened its doors on Oct. 3, 2005.
"We are closing the year 2006 with very impressive gains. In 2006,
we have done something like 2-3 deliveries daily, averaging around 60-64
deliveries every month. The ratio of normal deliveries to cesarean
sections is also an impressive 30:70. The number of outpatient visits
has touched 120 per day."
Evidently, the hospital reflects the motto of the Dr. Azad Moopen's
Group of bringing quality medical care closer to those who need it, but
may not be able to afford it. "Maternity is not a disease but a
time to cherish and mothers and new-born babies deserve the best of
medical attention and nursing. We try and make the occasion a special
one for the family," said Dr. Laiju, a mother of three children,
herself.
The fact that this special attention and care from a team of 45-trained
nurses and 15 consultants, gynecologists, anesthetists and neo-natologists,
come to patients at a reasonably good price, has brought in a great deal
of cheer to Dubai's burgeoning middle class segment. "Our
popularity has spread through the word of mouth with each patient
returning with a smiling face and in turn bringing in another three
patients, which has been a true reflection of our commitment."
"Hospitals are generally intimidating but we have tried to evolve a
culture of warmth and generosity so that all our patients feel loved and
cared for."
Ante-natal packages cost Dhs. 1,500 including outpatient obstetric
consultations (a maximum of 10 patients), obstetric ultrasound scans and
routine investigations running the entire gamut of blood count, urine
analysis, blood group and Rh typing, VDRL, HbsAg, HIV, blood sugar,
urine culture, glucose challenge and cardiotocography for fetal
monitoring. Maternity charges at the hospital range from Dhs. 2,500 for
a normal delivery to Dhs. 6,000 for cesarean sections. Charges are
marginally higher for twins.
All mothers-to-be get training lectures about how to handle their
children as part of the ante-natal package as also sessions with
pediatricians to know all about baby care.
The hospital has a dedicated blood bank, 24-hour in-house laboratory
services, 24-hour pharmacy, intensive baby care unit and a team of
dedicated doctors and consultants who are available round the clock. It
is also the forerunner of a comprehensive 100-bed specialty hospital to
be launched by the Dr. Azad Moopen's Group in February 2007.
Dr. Azad Moopen's Group is one of the largest private healthcare
networks in the Middle East with 12 clinics or 'medcentres' in Dubai,
one in Abu Dhabi and 23 branded pharmacies or 'medshops' throughout the
country. Oman has two medshops while Qatar houses one medcentre and one
medshop. In the UAE, Dr. Azad Moopen's medcentres receive at an average
of 2,000 outpatients everyday.
Source: ArabMedicare.com
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Dr.
Shanila Laiju, Manager Operations, Al Rafa Hospital for Maternity and
Surgery
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