- Oasis Hospital, Al Ain
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Oasis Hospital is located in the city of Al Ain, about 160 kilometers east of the capital city Abu Dhabi, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.[1]
Contents
Overview
Oasis Hospital opened in November 1960 at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brother Sheikh Shakhbut.[citation needed] Having experienced American medical care in Muscat and Bahrain, the rulers asked Drs Pat and Marian Kennedy to open a similar hospital here. At that time, the local population was actually declining in numbers. Infant mortality was 50% and maternal mortality was 35%. The local population suffered from many endemic diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, eye diseases, intestinal parasites, etc.
When the founders of Oasis Hospital, Drs Pat and Marian Kennedy first arrived in November 1960, at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brother Sheikh Shakhbut, the infant mortality rate in Al Ain was 50%, and the maternal mortality rate was 35%. Because of this and other endemic diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, eye diseases, intestinal parasites, etc., the population of Al Ain was actually declining and in need of organized healthcare.
With the assistance of their small team, the Kennedys were able to provide the first modern healthcare in the region. In 1964, they constructed the first cement block building in Al Ain which created 20 patient rooms, a nurses' station/nursery, and a utility room. The hospital was the sole source of medical treatment for the patients of Al Ain. Soon after opening, the staff was seeing nearly 200 patients per day.
Other physical developments followed including a delivery suite, x-ray facilities, additional patient rooms, and staff housing in the early 1970s. Obstetrics, Surgery and Children's Health facilities were built in 1985 and the hospital even now continues to make plans for new growth.
Drs Pat and Marian Kennedy served here until 1975 and their efforts to bring hope and renewal to the community of Al Ain are still alive today. Other long term staff members of Oasis Hospital who left a legacy of compassion and excellent medical care include: Gertrude Dyck, nurse and author of the book The Oasis (Motivate Publishing), Janice Shafer, Margaret Paisley, Bernita Missal, Nancy Brock, Dr Larry Liddle and his wife Marilyn Liddle, and Ruth Feldmann.[citation needed]
The first permanent facility remained functional until the completion of the present inpatient structure in 1990. Then a new out-patient clinic was added in 1995. Oasis Hospital has always operated on a not-for profit basis, and continues to do so today. All revenue generated from patient fees is used for operating and capital expenses.
In 2006, CURE International, a US-Based non-profit organization, took over ownership of Oasis Hospital. In 2007, Oasis Hospital became the first non-government hospital in the emirate of Abu Dhabi to receive Joint Commission International Accreditation, a mark of top medical quality recognized around the world.[citation needed]
In September 2009, ground was broken for a new hospital at the current location. Funding for the new hospital was provided by a grant from the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Completion of the new facility is expected in 2011.[citation needed]
Current staff that have been here for a number of years include Ibrahim Gul Dost, V.V. David, Jayaprakash, Saleem Ismail and Thomas Kutty. These dedicated individuals and their commitment to this community have made Oasis Hospital what is today.[citation needed]
History
From 1960 to 1963, Drs Pat & Marian Kennedy and their small medical team set up their first clinic in a guest house given to them by Sheikh Zayed. Located in what is now central Al Ain, the temporary facility featured quickly constructed palm branch patient rooms. The local people welcomed the new doctors and their staff, often inviting them into their homes. Patients came by camel and on foot from villages near and far as news spread of the availability of medical care. Often they would set up camp right on the hospital grounds for days at a time. Meanwhile, work had begun on a new pre-fabricated clinic building and three homes at the present site, a permanent land grant from the country's rulers. As Al Ain began to grow, Oasis Hospital grew with it.
In April 1963, after very heavy rains damaged the mud brick rooms of the old guest house facilities, the hospital moved into the new buildings on the present site. The in-patient rooms were again made of palm branches, but were soon destroyed by fire in October 1963. Mud block in-patient rooms were quickly constructed in the weeks following the fire. Knowing these rooms were not the permanent answer, plans were made for cement block construction. In January 1964, Leon Blosser arrived from the U.S. and fabricated a machine to make cement blocks. Using bags of cement brought in from Dubai, the first cement block building in Al Ain was constructed, creating 20 patient rooms with a nurses' station/nursery, and a utility room. One of these buildings and the original pre-fabricated metal structures, have been renovated and are still in use today.
That first permanent facility remained functional until the completion of the present in-patient structure in 1990. Then a new out-patient clinic was added in 1995. These present facilities, along with staff accommodations, were built entirely by our own engineering and maintenance staff using revenue generated by the hospital. Oasis Hospital has always operated on a not-for profit basis, and continues to do so today. All revenue generated from patient fees is used for operating and capital expenses.
Although Pat and Marian Kennedy returned to the United States in 1975, they left behind a strong and continuing legacy of love and sacrificial service. Even today, Oasis is affectionately known by many local people as the “Kennedy Hospital”. The names of others who served for many years remain familiar to residents of Al Ain — Gertrude Dyck, known as “Doctora Latifa”, was here for 43 years; Janice Shafer for 38 years; Nancy Brock, known as “Anisa”, served for 35 years. Dr Larry Liddle, “Dr Fouad”, came in 1975 and retired in 2008 after 32 years of service.[citation needed]
Life and healthcare have changed dramatically in Al Ain since Oasis Hospital began in 1960. A population that was once decimated has since surged. Infant mortality rates that stood at 50% are now less than 1%, and maternal mortality is almost unheard of. Oasis Hospital delivers more than 2,700 babies and treats over 115,000 out-patients annually. Oasis has brought over 86,000 children into the world over the years, to families from the UAE, Oman, and nearly every country of the world. In fact, many of those being born at Oasis today represent the third generation of “Oasis Babies” in their family.
Expansion
The first permanent hospital building remained functional until 1990, when the current inpatient structure was completed. A new outpatient clinic was added in 1995.
In April 2006, Oasis Hospital received a large funding from the Abu Dhabi government to upgrade its facilities. The President of the UAE – His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, offered a generous grant to the not-for-profit hospital. With their support and gifts, Oasis Hospital is set to improve its facilities, bring in state-of-the-art equipment and attract top-notch medical personnel from around the world.
CURE International took over ownership of Oasis Hospital in May 2006. The US-based non-profit organization has set up and managed numerous hospitals around the world, including Afghanistan, Kenya and Malawi. CURE International is passionate about the physical and spiritual healing of disabled children in developing countries.
The following year, in 2007, Oasis Hospital became the first private hospital in Abu Dhabi to receive the Joint Commission International Accreditation. The JCIA is an international quality measurement system for benchmarking. It is America's largest standards-setting and accrediting body for health care, which seeks to ensure that patients experience the safest, highest quality, best-value health care.[2]
Future plans
In September 2009, Oasis Hospital broke ground for its new premises.
The new hospital is slated to span over 60,000 square meters. It will be built on the current grounds where the original hospital has been located since 1960. The five-story building will be surrounded by lush greenery, gardens and podiums. Its unique architecture will bring natural light indoors. The new wing, an extension of the current premises, is due to open in 2012.
With Al Ain's population due to reach 787,220 by 2015, Oasis Hospital is also gearing up to meet the growing needs of its surrounding communities. Today, Oasis Hospital delivers more than 300 babies every month and will have delivered 90,000 infants by the end of 2010. In keeping with its reputation as a maternity hospital, a specialized birthing center will be opened to provide world class tertiary care for mothers and infants. Plans to set up an IVF center to offer fertility treatments are also in the pipeline. The hospital is also looking to expand its current specialty clinics such as Orthopedics, Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat) and The Eye Clinic, and introduce other new medical specialties.
Oasis Hospital has grown from a small maternity facility to a first class health care provider in 50 years. The efforts of Drs Pat & Marian Kennedy to bring hope and renewal to the community of Al Ain are still alive today. Oasis Hospital continues to be committed to serving the people of the UAE and beyond, and is well-placed for the health challenges of the 21st Century.
References
External links
Categories:- 1960 establishments
- Hospitals in the United Arab Emirates
- Buildings and structures in Al Ain
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