Rumailah Hospital, part of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Elderly Urgent Care Unit (EUCU), Qatar’s first and only urgent care service dedicated exclusively to patients aged 60 and above.
This milestone represents not only five years of service excellence but a broader transformation in how geriatric care is delivered and perceived across the country, a statement said Wednesday.
Established in 2020, the 12-bed EUCU was created to fill a vital gap in Qatar’s healthcare system; rapid access to urgent medical care tailored specifically to older adults. The unit provides an alternative to crowded emergency departments, offering a calm, respectful, and age-friendly environment that aligns with the unique needs of senior patients.
“The Elderly Urgent Care Unit represents a milestone in compassionate, expert care tailored to the unique needs of our senior population. Our commitment is to ensure that every older patient receives timely, dignified treatment that respects their life experience and promotes their well-being,” said Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, deputy chief for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation, and Geriatric Services at HMC. Unlike general urgent care facilities, the EUCU is equipped with specialised clinical protocols designed to address the complexities of ageing — such as frailty, polypharmacy, cognitive decline, and limited mobility.
The unit strives to have a physician assess each patient within 15 minutes of arrival, ensuring timely triage and intervention.
Since its inception, the EUCU has provided urgent care to thousands of senior citizens, contributing to reduced emergency department congestion and lower hospital admission rates. “The care my father received at the EUCU was exceptional — the staff understood his needs as a senior citizen, and treated him with dignity and compassion,” said the son of Khalid Abdullah Rashid, an EUCU patient. Caregivers and senior citizens can call the unit at 3325 3128 or 5519 3240, available 24/7, to request a triage assessment and receive timely support when it matters most, the statement added.
