The long-awaited Sidra Medical and Research Center will begin offering a limited number of services to patients in the coming months.

Starting May 1, three outpatient clinics – Dermatology, Pediatric General Surgery Consultation and Obstetrics – will open for business.

The clinics will have radiology, pathology, pharmacy and laboratory facilities.

However, doctors will only see patients who are referred by their primary or secondary healthcare physicians. There are also no emergency services being offered at this time.

“This marks the beginning of our journey to establish Sidra as a state-of-the-art hospital and research center,” said Lord Darzi of Denham, vice-chairperson of Sidra, in a statement.

Years of delays

The announcement comes months after Sidra laid off some 200 employees as part of a “rightsizing” process.

Funded by Qatar Foundation, the $7.9 billion project next to Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) was first expected to open in 2011.

It has missed numerous rescheduled opening dates since then and over the summer, Lord Darzi told staff to expect more delays.

At the time, he said Sidra’s outpatient clinic may open in 2016, but it could be another three years before it is able to conduct in-patient procedures.

A Sidra spokesperson could not provide an updated timeline on the hospital’s full opening.

Digital focus

Sidra was initially billed as an “ultra-modern academic medical center” dedicated to the care of women and children.

In a statement yesterday, officials said the center would include “the latest technologies,” including digital patient files and digital images from X-rays, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans.

There is also a 3D printer on site to provide 3D models of a patient’s organs to help with treatment planning, the statement said.

As of May 1, patients can coordinate with their Hamad Medical Corp. healthcare providers to schedule appointments at Sidra’s clinics, which operate from 7am to 3pm during the weekdays.

In the future, there are plans to offer more pediatric services, including neonatology consultation, developmental pediatrics, child and adolescent mental health, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), pre-operative anesthetic assessment and preparation.

More details on these services and information about pricing, scheduling and registration will be explained in the coming months.

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