Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Health, recently visited the Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital currently being constructed in Al Raweyah 3 in Dubai to review the work in progress. He was accompanied by Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for the Ministry of Healths Hospitals Sector, and a group of Senior Officials, Heads of Teams and the Director of the Project on his tour.

Dr. Al Olama said that the establishment of Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital is in line with the directives of the UAEs wise leadership and the National Mental Health Program. The Ministry of Health seeks to implement highly developed systems to build world-class health facilities and improve upon our existing services offered to people. This complements UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoums vision to establish a hospital that will become a unique healthcare facility in the emirate.

Adding further, Dr. Al Olama said that the Ministry remains committed to review and assess the nations healthcare facilities to make sure that they are at par with the highest international standards. This helps in offering top health services to achieve the objective of making the UAE the best in the field of healthcare in the next few years as well as staying up-to-date with the latest innovation in the field of healthcare. The Ministrys visits keep a close check on hospitals, clinics, and primary healthcare centres to ensure compliance in a transparent way.

The Undersecretary checked all sections of the project as well as listened to a detailed briefing about the current works and the challenges along with the strategies to overcome them so that the facility is completed on time.

Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital is being built on a 54,000-square-foot area with a capacity of 272 beds according to the highest international standards for green building. The premises meet the latest UAE requirements for energy savings and sustainability, earning the classification of GOLD LEED Healthcare which is considered a one-of-a-kind accomplishment in the region. This will enable the facility to save 40 per cent of power used for cooling, lighting and heating water as well as help in saving water and reducing the emission of harmful gases.

The new hospital represents innovations in mental healing in the Middle East as it received the Silver LEED Healthcare rating and is committed to remain updated on the latest trends in healthcare facilities.

Because of its green building methods, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital won an award for the Best Futuristic Design in the Middle East in 2014. The facility reflects the UAE Governments efforts to establish a high-level sustainable infrastructure, providing a healthy mental and physical environment that is psychologically ideal for patients and will help in their treatment and lead to their reintegration into the society.

Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital has three main sections consisting of two psychiatric wards one each for men and women and an addiction ward. It also features an Outpatient Clinic where patients are reviewed, diagnosed and treated; a Nursing Department; a Laboratory; Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Departments; Cafeteria; Gymnasiums; and a Theatre where movies are screened. Moreover, the hospital will have departments to serve both in- and out-patients along with an Emergency Psychiatric Clinic, Psychological and Physical Rehabilitation Centre, and an Intensive Care Unit.