Marked rise in gynecology patients in Al-Khor Hospital

Al Khor Hospital (AKH), a member of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), has seen a significant increase in the number of visits at its Obstetrics and Gynecology Department’s outpatient, inpatient and emergency clinics in addition to a notable increase in the number of births at the hospital.

The number of outpatient clinics for obstetrics and gynecology at AKH has doubled and evening consulting clinics have also been opened every Sunday and Tuesday to cope with the increase in the number of visits.

There were 2,286 patients admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department in 2014, according to AKH’s Admissions Department. This includes 292 patients at the obstetrics section, 1,194 patients at the postnatal section, and 800 patients at the maternity section.

The bed occupancy rate ranged between 73% and 100% per month throughout 2014. In the first half of 2015, the number increased by 21% and the bed occupancy rate ranged between 93% and 100%.

Dr. Mariam Khamees Al Saqqa, Senior Consultant and Acting Head of AKH's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department said, "We had 1,184 births at AKH in 2014, of which 804 births were natural births and 380 were births by Caesarean section. The number of Qatari births was 204 and non-Qatari births were 980.”

She also added, “From the beginning of this year until the end of June, the number of births has reached 799 births, an increase of 40% compared to last year for the same period".

Support services such as the ultrasound imaging of the fetus and the monitoring of its development have been expanded to accommodate the increase in the number of visits at AKH's Obstetrics and Gynecology Department.

There are now three modern devices for imaging the fetus and diagnosing illnesses and growth deficiencies in the early stages.

The laboratory section has also been expanded and there has been an increase in the number of technicians and equipment. There have also been expansions in the pharmacy and other departments. [The Peninsula]