Mega Hospital Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City Opens in Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, one of the largest hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, opened its doors recently, marking the completion of a 10-year, 3.2-million-square-foot project. Stantec led the master planning, architectural, interior and landscape design of this flagship institution for the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company.

Strategically located in Abu Dhabi, the new facility will improve access to worldclass healthcare for residents. The hospital is the first of its kind in the UAE to provide advanced burn treatment and expand access to specialty care services like orthopedic and thoracic surgery. The new facility replaces the existing Al Mafraq Hospital, which opened in 1983 and had reached its operational capacity.

As part of its project role, Stantec also provided mechanical, electrical, structural and infrastructure engineering services. Additionally, the firm provided construction administration oversight for the duration of the construction period, with BIC Contracting (formerly Habtoor Leighton Group – HLG) / Murray & Roberts JV serving as general contractor.

The SSMC’s design is distinguished by four towers, situated along thoughtfully planned landscaping, with patient rooms that each offer views of the campus and access to rooftop gardens for respite. Designated floors cater to patients looking for additional privacy and attention, with two presidential suites and 36 VIP suites.

The hospital has space for 732 beds, distributed across three wards as post-surgical inpatient beds, maternal and child health beds (including 12 VIP), medical intensive care unit beds, cardiac ICU beds, surgical ICU beds, burn unit beds and neonatal ICU beds. An initial staff of 3,000 medical professionals will provide care for patients of all ages.