Patients thank staff as Dubai closes its second field hospital
▶ Last patients discharged from 1,200-bed clinic that opened to increase capacity during Covid-19 outbreak
Dubai Parks and Resorts field hospital discharged its final coronavirus patients yesterday, as it closed its doors for good.
Nour Eldin, from Egypt, was the last of 17 patients to leave the 1,200-bed clinic and was waved off to the cheers of more than 130 doctors, nurses and volunteers.
The teacher, who was admitted to the hospital on June 28, thanked the staff for taking care of him during his stay.
The hospital was one of several temporary centres built to help manage patient flow in the city when the outbreak was at its peak.
“It feels so good to be one of the last patients leaving the hospital,” Mr Eldin, 26, told The National.
“I can’t thank the staff here enough. Through a difficult time they made my stay very comfortable.
“They deserve so much praise for how selfless they have been.”
Mr Eldin came down with mild symptoms in late June. After more than 14 days in the hospital’s care, Mr Eldin received his final negative test for the coronavirus on Sunday.
Although the hospital is now officially closed, Mubarak Al Darmaki, chief operating officer at Al Rahba Hospital, said it would remain on standby for several weeks in case there was a demand for patient beds in the city.
Dr Reem Albarguthi has been working at the hospital since early May.
She was one of hundreds of Emirati doctors repatriated from the US by the government to help curb the spread of Covid-19. “I’ve been living in California for a year and I came back from the United States in March,” she told The National.
“I was repatriated by my country, the UAE, and I was asked to join one of the field hospitals to oversee patients with Covid-19 – of course, there was no hesitation.
“Today is a wonderful day for all us physicians and nurses.
“We have been working nonstop for the past two months and we just saw out the last batch of patients.
“They were discharged happy, healthy and doing well.”
The 29,000-square-metre hospital, managed by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha), opened to patients on April 24 and treated more than 2,300 for Covid-19.
The Dubai Parks and Resorts field hospital was one of three temporary clinics set up by Seha as the authorities planned and prepared for a potential surge in coronavirus cases.
For Filipina Meshell Vidanes, July 10 will be a date forever etched in her memory.
After receiving the diagnosis of Covid-19 late last month, she was given the all-clear by her doctor at the weekend.
“It’s overwhelming to be leaving the hospital today as one of the last patients,” she said.
“I received my final negative test result three days ago but I had to complete my 14-day quarantine period, so now I get to leave.”
Ms Vidanes, who has lived in the UAE for 16 years, was first tested for the coronavirus on June 25.
Two days later, to her surprise, she received her results showing she was positive for the infection.
“It was a complete shock to me because I had no symptoms whatsoever.
“When I came here I felt blessed. The way the staff have taken care of us all has been amazing.
“It sounds funny to say because it’s a hospital, but it’s been a lovely experience.”
Yesterday, officials from Seha thanked its staff for their efforts.
It said the support received by entities including Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Police and the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services helped make the operation a success.
I can’t thank the staff here enough. Through a difficult time they made my stay here very comfortable NOUR ELDIN Former Covid-19 patient