In line with its vision to become the most trusted healthcare provider in Qatar and beyond, Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine (AMNM) continues to expand its range of high-quality services in medical specialties to clients.
Stepping into the second year, AMNM complements Qatar’s healthcare system by providing a patient-centric approach through credentialed physicians and allied health professionals.
AMNM’s collaboration with Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine, one of the world-renowned healthcare facilities, supports its evidence-based research methods for medical care.
“We operate an American model in advanced and evidence-based medical practices. All our physicians and allied health professionals are highly credentialed. Our multidisciplinary teams provide a complete patient-centric approach,” AMNM Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Nabhan Abou Rjaili told The Peninsula.
According to Dr. Rjaili, patients at AMNM can get a second opinion from the experts at Northwestern Medicine or are referred to the hospital in Chicago.
AMNM opened its doors to patients in September 2020. Speaking about the experience in operating a medical facility in the times of COVID-19, Dr. Rjaili said, “We were still able to bring in our talented medical and non-medical team and world-class equipment. Though it was difficult due to changing regulations and uncertainty with travel.”
Dr. Rjaili added that certain services were provided through telemedicine at the peak of COVID-19.
AMNM, located in the heart of Lusail City, provides services in 16 medical specialties, including ENT, dentistry, dermatology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, ophthalmology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, sports medicine, fertility medicine and gynaecology, endocrinology, paediatrics orthopedics, and rehabilitation, lifestyle services, and paediatrics.
“Patient-centricity dictates the complete patient journey from arrival to AMNM until they leave the facility. On each floor, we have patient service representatives who receive the patient, collect all the required information in a one-stop format, and escort patients to their consultation or procedure room. The doctors come to the patient rather than the patient going to different rooms to be checked by the medical team,” said Dr. Rjaili, who is a US-educated healthcare executive with significant experience in complex healthcare settings, including private and public hospitals.
One of the unique services introduced at AMNM is Executive Health, a preventive health programme that provides comprehensive medical assessments and personalised health strategies in a private and comfortable setting. Patients can avail a private suite with five-star level service, with an escort to appointments, WiFi access, healthy breakfast, lunch and snacks, and valet parking.
“We believe health encompasses much more than simply physical well-being,” noted Dr. Rjaili.
He said, “A pre-visit telephone consultation will be with an internist. The patient has the privilege of entering the facility through a separate elevator and is assessed by the best doctors, diagnostic technologies in a suite room. It will be about 6 to 8 hours of comprehensive examination that addresses all health concerns, body composition test using bod pod air displacement, consultation with an exercise physiologist, consultation with a registered dietitian, complete lifestyle assessment focusing on stress management and work/life balance issues, comprehensive action plan and same-day results of most tests and consultations and an action plan with medical and wellness recommendations will be provided.”
Dr. Nabhan Abou Rjaili
The In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) centre at the Reproductive Fertility and Gynaecology Clinic is another new service at the AMNM. It provides counseling, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility and offers a range of assisted reproductive technologies and support.
“The IVF-related services are provided at a very private and relaxing setting by experts with sound experience,” stressed Dr. Rjaili.
AMNM also offers clinical exercise physiology services, a relatively new healthcare programme. Clinical exercise physiologists administer exercise testing and therapeutic training programmes for individuals with chronic health disorders, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and metabolic disorders. They use exercise as medicine to assist healthcare providers and patients in managing and reducing the risk.
Furthermore, the newly introduced paediatric services at AMNM provide care in specialties, including internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, and dentistry.
Following the guidelines set by the Ministry of Public Health – AMNM ensures that the appropriate protective measures and policies are in place to safeguard everyone’s well-being. These include temperature check and symptom screening, wearing of face mask, frequent sterilisation, sanitisation, and social distancing.
AMNM’s services are provided across the facility’s six floors. It has three operating theaters and uses an EMR (electronic medical records system) that substantially decreases errors and improves capturing the right data for all patients. AMNM provides same-day surgical services in several specialties. AMNM is also preparing to introduce Psychiatry and Psychology department, based on best practices adopted from its American partner, Northwestern Medicine. AMNM works together with institutions such as the Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Foundation, and Sidra Medicine in areas of interest.
“AMNM aims to get Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. We recently had an assessment by the Ministry of Public Health, and we have met with all standards,” said Dr. Rjaili.
According to Dr. Rjaili, with the world-class services and building on Alfardan Group’s legacy in premier leadership in luxury experiences, AMNM aims to position itself as a regional hub for premium medical services and enhance its prominence in medical tourism.
