Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital in Mauritania Reports Positive Impact on Local Communities
The Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital in Boutilimit, Mauritania, has released its semiannual report on the medical activities and services provided during the first half of 2023. The hospital, operated and managed by the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) with funding from Education Above All (EAA), has made a significant impact on the health conditions of the local communities in Boutilimit and neighboring regions.
The hospital, which boasts a dedicated team of 82 specialist physicians, nurses, assistants, social workers, and administrative staff, has four medical divisions: outpatient, inpatient, technical, and emergency. The outpatient department comprises six clinics specializing in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, general surgery, orthopedics, and dental medicine.
During the period from January to June 2023, the emergency department experienced a high number of patients, with a total of 12,944 individuals seeking treatment. These patients included 8,747 with multiple emergencies, 4,063 obstetrics and gynecology emergencies, and 134 road traffic injuries. The hospital’s main goal of reducing referrals to major hospitals in Nouakchott was successfully achieved, with only 22 referrals made.
The outpatient department, equipped with six rooms, provides general practitioner services on weekdays, while other specialties are offered on a rotating basis of three clinics per week. From the beginning of the year until June, the department served a total of 24,710 patients, including 10,007 children, 5,452 men, and 9,251 women. The various specialties include general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dental medicine, prenatal care, dermatology, internal medicine, and ophthalmology.
With a current capacity of 54 beds spread across four recovery departments (internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and general surgery), the hospital accommodated 2,828 inpatients during the reporting period. These patients had a total of 6,749 stay days, with a bed occupancy rate of 69%, resulting in an average of 2.39 stay days per patient.
The hospital places significant emphasis on maternal and child health. In the obstetrics and gynecology department, a total of 693 births were recorded, including 148 cesarean sections, reflecting a surgical intervention percentage of 20%—a significant improvement when compared to national figures.
The hospital’s department of biotechnology, which includes fully equipped operating rooms, a laboratory, and a medical imaging unit, conducted 366 surgeries in the specialties of obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and general surgery. Additionally, the department carried out 18,371 lab tests and performed 3,018 medical imaging procedures.
Apart from its medical services, the Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital is actively involved in training programs for students of public health schools. It has collaborated with other organizations to provide training courses and has organized internship and field training programs for nurses, ensuring the sustainability of professional capacity-building.
The hospital’s dedication to social services is highlighted by its efforts to assist poor patients in accessing vital health services through the Social Affairs Department. Additionally, under a partnership agreement with the National Reproductive Health Program, the hospital provided healthcare to 3,058 pregnant women in Boutilimit.
As part of the national health initiative to combat viral inflammations, the hospital has developed an automatic mechanism to vaccinate all newborns before discharge. The mechanism has achieved a coverage rate of 100% over six months.
The hospital has also taken steps to promote preventive health practices and protect its healthcare workers. Informative courses on hemorrhagic fever prevention were conducted, and educational posters were displayed throughout the premises.
Established in 2007 with support from Education Above All, the Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital aims to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for the poor, eliminating the need for travel to major hospitals in Nouakchott or abroad.
Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), as the operator of the hospital, plays a crucial role in humanitarian and volunteering efforts. With its extensive network of staff and volunteers, QRCS works tirelessly to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities, providing relief and development operations across numerous countries.
The Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital in Mauritania continues to make a positive impact on the local communities it serves. Through its dedicated team and emphasis on quality healthcare, the hospital aims to improve the well-being of individuals and contribute to the overall development of the region.
