Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashghal) said it has successfully completed the construction and equipping works related to the annexe building of the upcoming QR900-million ($247 million) Hamad General Hospital project.

The new General Surgery Building is considered one of the most important health projects, which will reflect positively on the efficiency of medical care services in Qatar, it stated.

The new surgery building includes 20 operating rooms, 17 of which are general operation rooms, and three are for operation with diagnostic devices.

Ashghal also completed the examinations, inspections, and operation procedures for all of the technical and electromechanical systems in preparation of handing over the building to the Ministry of Public Health.

In addition to the construction works, Ashghal also implemented the work related to the multi-storey car-park that will accommodate around 800 vehicles.

Another major work was the equipping of the new operation rooms in addition to the intensive care unit (ICU) for accidents, recovery unit (post-anesthesia care), intensive care units for surgery, surgery preparation units and associated services, said Ashghal in a statement.

A major highlight of the annexe building is the provision for two helicopter landing pads to transfer emergency cases, which is directly connected to the operating rooms and the ICU for accidents.

During the design and implementation stage, the authority's officials stressed on the environmental dimension and construction sustainability aspect of the project.

To achieve sustainability and reduce consumption of energy and natural resources, Ashghal used local and international sustainability assessment systems, such as the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) to promote the “green buildings” concept to meet the current needs without affecting the environment and resources in the future, it added.-TradeArabia News Service