A New Kuwaiti Landmark: Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice

22 Jan 2012  7 Comments

Last Thursday, my wife was lucky enough to be invited for the opening of Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice. The place is amazing and is a wonderful accomplishment. This was the graduation project of Mrs. Alia Al-Ghunaim, Hats-off to her.

Under the umbrella of Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital, we started a home care team to provide palliative care for children with life-threatening conditions in 2006, and have since supported over 80 terminally ill children, and their families.

The playful, child-friendly principles of the architecture of Bayt Abdullah were followed through in the design of the interiors by NBBJ of Columbia, Ohio who are leaders in the field of children’s hospital design.

With guidance from our International Scientific Advisory Board, by learning from and collaborating with established Centres of Excellence such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota…

Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice will provide pediatric palliative care for children in Kuwait with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

A gymnasium and Hydrotherapy pool provide facilities for fun, games, rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Bayt Abdullah Theatre is professionally designed to accommodate different types of performances and entertainment and will also provide therapeutic activities such as Art, Music and Drama therapy.

… we have looked after made wishes to visit Disney Land but few could make the journey. Alia Al Ghunaim, the architect of Bayt Abdullah, decided to give all our children the opportunity to experience the thrills and fun of the fairground by incorporating a Ferris Wheel, Magic Carpet, Rooftop Walkway and Observation Tower in her design.

Eleven chalets give our families the opportunity to have short holidays away from home at a time when it may be difficult for them to travel.

Inpatient facilities are located on the first floor, above the library and cafeteria, overlooking the roofs of the chalets, and facing the sea. There are 6 mother and children suites and 4 mother and baby suites.

This is one of the most wonderful projects not just have been completed, but have been thought out in recent time. Its groundbreaking for Kuwait and the region.

It took 6 years for this project to become a reality while other major projects in the country are still in limbo.

The bedroom

Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, one of the many doctors at Bayt Abdullah.

Miami were there for the opening.