Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) increased the capacity of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital to 267 beds to support its capabilities in providing high-quality medical care. The hospital was recently designated as a treatment facility for people infected with coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Increasing the number of beds in the hospital, which was opened in 2018, from 118 to 267 is achieved in a short period. The enhancement of the specialized facilities and the imparting of additional training to the medical staff were carried out simultaneously. 
Executive Director of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital Hussein Al Ishaq explained that the number of beds were initially increased from 118 to 147 within a week from registering the first Covid-19 cases in the country. The capacity subsequently was increased to 267 beds. He pointed out that the designation of Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital as a hospital for Covid-19 enables HMC to provide high-quality care to the majority of patients infected with the virus under one roof. He further explained that if turns out to be necessary, HMC can increase the number of beds in the hospital up to 560. He added that the 31-bed emergency department has been moved to a tent equipped with double capacity of 65 beds a week ago.

A field hospital is being constructed, which will provide further 274 additional beds to the total capacity.

The capacity of intensive care units has also been increased from 16 beds to 50 beds (for males and females), he pointed out.

Al Ishaq confirmed that the concerned teams have worked hard over the past few weeks to ensure that all necessary changes are made to enable the hospital to play this vital role in treating Covid-19 patients of all nationalities in Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital.

He stated that this new hospital role is acting as a pivotal component of the HMC's comprehensive strategy to ensure the ability to manage any future increase, if any, in the number of Covid-19 patients who need medical care.

The hospital's expansion focuses particularly on increasing the number of intensive care unit beds to ensure adequate capacity will be available to provide medical care to both male and female patients who are severely affected.

Acting Medical Director for HMGH Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Mohammed said that during the early stages of the transformation of the Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital into a dedicated facility for Covid-19 treatment, the number of beds in the intensive care unit has been increased to 50 beds, and if necessary in the future, this number can be rapidly increased to 221 beds.

He explained that this is essential to treat Covid-19 patients who suffer from severe symptoms, as Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital's intensive care units have the equipment to treat and monitor patients and the hospital has more staff compared to other hospital units, so that individual care can be given to the patients.  

All outpatient services at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital were temporarily suspended until further notice, while the hospital's emergency department continues to operate as usual to receive and treat life-threatening medical emergencies.