Taiba Hospital has quickly gained notoriety since its initial opening as a clinic in 2002. Because of its uniqueness as the only private healthcare provider in Kuwait to specialize in one-day surgeries at the time, its 2006 transition towards a full-fledged hospital was inevitable.
Today, the Sabah Al Salem facility stands tall and proud after having recently completed a three-year long renovation, while maintaining and exceeding Kuwait’s expectations of the standard of quality care the hospital has bestowed to patients and doctors alike.
“My father was an ENT Consultant, and this was his” COO Lama Al Fadala says fondly, gesturing towards the repurposed office drawer set she keeps next to her desk. Memorabilia of her father and Taiba’s founder, Dr. Sanad Al Fadala, illuminate her office, making it alive with nostalgia.
Taiba Hospital COO Lama Al Fadala. Source: bazaar
Though Dr. Sanad had recently retired as a surgeon, placing his Otoscope, his input is still very much active as the hospital’s Chairman. It’s impossible for Lama to forget this, and she confirms with a nod towards her father’s first clinic’s signage, which she displayed in her office, “He’s our mentor and leader, and I still go to him for advice. We couldn’t have achieved Taiba’s renovation without him.”
From Plant & Facilities Director to Chief Operating Officer, Lama plays a pivotal position as a COO that stresses on maintaining the modern, state of the art, safe and comfortable atmosphere that the hospital has strived to achieve since its inception. Handling everything from administrative matters to problem-solving with all standards, supplies and employees that come into the hospital, Lama arms herself with Taiba’s strong team to ensure that the innerworkings of the facility runs smoothly from A-Z.
“Investing in human capital is a serious business. As COO, I provide leadership and problem-solving skills to make sure that doctors are happy, staff are happy, and most of all, patients are happy.” Which is why, on top of upkeeping services during the Taiba renovation, another priority was to spruce up the space to make overnight stays more pleasant.
“We are a hospital, and we’re responsible for people’s lives here. But, it doesn’t mean that patients should feel like they’re in a hospital.”
Courtesy of Taiba Hospital
However, all throughout Taiba’s renovation and expansion, the hospital maintained that all departments kept running, not allowing the process of expansion to interfere with regular schedules. The magnitude of patients and procedures that run seamlessly through Taiba on a daily basis requires it. Not only does the hospital hold the statistic of having the highest number of local surgeons, doctors and physicians employed within Kuwait’s private medical sector, but also operates 24 different departments, each of which containing a slew of talented doctors with international credentials.
“Between the doctors we hire full time and part time, and the upgraded technology we ensure on maintaining at the hospital, people utilize our resources to the fullest.” One of their proudest departments is Gastroenterology, and the hospital prides itself in using the most in its state-of-the-art facilities to diagnose, assess, follow up with and treat several conditions in addition to performing a number of surgeries and operations.
“People have a lot of confidence in this department, and they come to the hospital ready. They book their appointments, meet their Consultants, do the surgery, and go home the same day – because that’s how advanced our department is.”
Courtesy of Taiba Hospital
Another department Taiba takes great pride in is their Orthopedic Surgery Department, which has, with its outstanding qualification, recently received an Orthopedic Center of Excellence JCI Accreditation. This accreditation joins others on Taiba’s resume, including their prized Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation, maintained for three consecutive times, and their Baby Friendly Hospital Accreditation – a true testament to the beautiful delivery rooms that Lama herself beams at with pride. “They’re so comfortable and accommodating to new mothers.”
And lest we forget Taiba’s outstanding care. Nurses at Taiba live up to the hospital’s growing reputation for being efficient and easy to communicate with. In fact, the aftercare services are so strong at the facility, that it is one of the many reasons why doctors choose to join Taiba. And with aftercare also comes food! It doesn’t surprise us at all that with Taiba’s vision, mission, and the strategy of the CEO comes thoughtful food that’s comforting and healthy.
Taiba exclusively works with one of Kuwait’s favorite food sources, LeNôtre, to deliver wholesome and nutritious food to the Taiba patients – without of course, compromising on taste and luxury. “Classic hospital food has such a bad reputation!” Lama laughs “and what we’ve noticed over the years is that at hospitals, a lot of the time, patients won’t eat what they’re given”
Source: bazaar
With Taiba and LeNôtre’s collaborations, patients can happily cut out the middle man and dine with delight on healthy modifications and original dishes created specifically for the hospital. Pasta dishes, bamia, and soups will have you feeling like you’re at home.
“Simplicity is key, and what are dietary restrictions? Everything is made low fat and with less or no oil, things can be made sugar free, if a patient is on a soft food diet there are soft foods available.”
But even with its thoughtful renovation, upgraded equipment and superior management, there’s one thing that Taiba has always had that’s never needed to be upgraded, and remained untampered with: soul. Perhaps it’s due to the humble beginnings of the clinic, intertwined with the rich history and prosperous future of the hospital.
It could also be reflective on the seriousness in which the administration, management and staff take the people around them, from employees and patients. Or maybe it’s because that in a family-run facility, everyone who steps foot in it will always be family, and working together, the goal of attaining a top of the line, tightly run ship with the brightest medical future can be achieved.
It’s the above details that matter, and that are guaranteed to make you feel that you’re in good hands when choosing your hospital to stay in, or work at.
Taiba Hospital is located in Sabah Al Salem, off of route 30 on Road 3. Call them 24 hours at 180 80 88. For updates and information, visit their website at www.taibahospital.com, and follow them on Instagram @taibahospital.
All images by bazaar staff and courtesy of Taiba Hospital.
