CASE STUDY RAK HOSPITAL


Premium Hospitality’ rose from the DNA of its design.


Construction commenced in full swing six months later and, like all great projects, went through several hiccups but was completed in somewhat of a record 18 months. What started tendering as a 96,000 sq. ft. facility ended up as a 146,000 sq.ft. facility. There are several schools of thought about this and quite often the importance of sticking to design is emphasized, but this project is in itself a case study on how not sticking to design can sometimes result in success. From the very beginning of the construction, a key factor throughout was the influence that all parties involved had on the design development. The project consultants, the contractors and owners all have to be commended and recognized for their patience, openness and positive acceptance of each other, and general suggestions received from all those who came in contact with this project. It is not often that design modifications are accepted so willingly and implemented with the true enthusiasm and the passionate expectation of creating a genuinely unique facility. All this, however, came at a inevitable


cost. The project over-ran its cost but the promoters chipped in and maintained their support the project throughout.


The interior design and medical equipment planning are absolutely key to the successful conclusion of any healthcare project, accordingly the team had well-experienced medical equipment planners onboard who supported the project at an early stage with detailed drawings. It was important to have the interior design team available on-site and in this project the interiors were designed in parallel with the progression of construction. This may be in contradiction to conventional wisdom but there was little choice due to the rapidly evolving design. The interior designers were up to the challenge as everyone else involved and worked through the night to develop drawings for the next day’s work. Interior design elements and materials like


the project design itself were a synthesized representation of modern contemporary almost aseptic look with the homely hospitality of an aged seven star hotel. Even though the combination of these elements sounds like a recipe for disaster, the designers of this project pulled off a miracle. The 25th


of July 2007 saw the hand over


of a spanking new facility. The job of the construction and design team was over but


the hospital was still incomplete. With the building ready, it was only half-way to opening because the remaining 50% of the environment comprises of all the little elements that go into the process of furnishing. Thus began, ‘the amazing race’ to complete spanning almost half the globe to identify, procure, and install. Almost all of the furniture had to be custom made as the expression of the building was unique and original, which was unfortunately not held by any of the available off-the- shelf furniture. The remaining items were purchased from not only swanky furniture stores at Dubai’s luxury lanes but also from round-the-corner shops that do have a rare tendency to surprise. Throughout this process, the expenses were keenly monitored as the project was already running high making the challenge even tougher and sending deadlines closer to the horizon. The most important part of the environment


of a facility, especially in healthcare, is the people. Staff came in from across the globe and made this hospital their home. Their smiles, silent dedication and warm passion breathed life into this well-designed, tastefully furnished facility, making it the best healing environment in the Middle East.


RAK Hospital is now a fully functional


tertiary healthcare facility having treated more than 60,000 people and boasting several high end medical specialties such as Cardiac Surgery, Paediatrics, Interventional Cardiology, Joint Replacement Surgeries, Spine Surgeries, Bariatric Surgeries and advanced Laparoscopic Surgery. Like its design, its services have also been pioneering. The hospital has the country’s only single port laparoscopic surgery programme for which it is attended by patients from all the Emirates. The hospital’s reputation has also spread into other countries and RAK Hospital has offices in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Iraq facilitating the in-flow of international patients into its facility. This is possible as the hospital has uniquely positioned itself as a premium healthcare facility providing international quality healthcare at very affordable prices. In addition to its various design awards,


the hospital is also accredited by Joint Commission International and Swiss Leading Hospitals. This dual accreditation, both American and European healthcare standards, make RAK Hospital unique in the Middle East and wider region. Its 350 strong staff are now geared and positioned to take the entire healthcare experience for the patients to new levels of success. HB


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 AUTHOR INFO Dr. Arpan David, currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the hospital, he joined the company in 2005 as its first employee and has been involved at every stage of the project to design, instruction, commissioning and operations. He is a strong team player and leads the RAK Hospital team on a day- to-day basis.


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