PureHealth breaks ground on SEHA’s new Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi

UAE—PureHealth has officially broken ground on the SEHA New Corniche Hospital for women and newborns, marking a major step in the development of Abu Dhabi’s first dedicated women and children’s medical city.

Construction is already underway, signalling the transition from planning to full-scale delivery of the landmark project.

The new hospital forms a central pillar of a wider specialised medical city focused on women and children’s health.

It will integrate services across key institutions, including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, where plans are underway to establish a Centre of Excellence in paediatric care.

The broader ecosystem will also include a dedicated rehabilitation facility and a specialised mental health centre designed for women and children.

This development follows directives approved in 2024 by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, aimed at strengthening specialised healthcare services for families across the emirate.

Leadership reaffirms commitment to family health

Senior leaders from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), PureHealth, and SEHA attended the ceremony, underscoring the project’s strategic importance.

Officials highlighted that the initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision of delivering world-class, patient-centred healthcare.

Her Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, said the emirate remains committed to protecting the health of women and children as the foundation of strong communities.

She noted that the project aligns with the upcoming Year of Family, reflecting a continued focus on strengthening family well-being through specialised care systems.

Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, said the hospital carries forward a legacy of nearly five decades of maternal and neonatal care in Abu Dhabi.

She added that the new facility has been designed to meet the evolving needs of families while supporting the long-term sustainability of healthcare.

Expanding advanced women and children’s services

The SEHA New Corniche Hospital will deliver more than 35 paediatric subspecialties, including oncology, transplant medicine, diabetes care, allergy and immunology, neurorehabilitation, and behavioural sciences.

Together, these services will position Abu Dhabi as a leading regional destination for integrated women’s and children’s healthcare.

Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEHA, said the project builds on Corniche Hospital’s long-standing legacy and strengthens the emirate’s commitment to excellence in maternal and newborn care.

He added that the collaboration with Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and Salma Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will further expand specialised services across the care continuum.

Facility design and long-term healthcare vision

Since 1977, Corniche Hospital has recorded more than 300,000 births, establishing itself as a leading maternity institution in the UAE.

It also operates one of the country’s most advanced Level III neonatal intensive care units, handling a significant share of neonatal cases in Abu Dhabi.

The new hospital will extend this legacy through a purpose-built facility developed by Rafed, PureHealth’s procurement and infrastructure arm.

It will feature 357 beds across a 108,000 square metre, nine-floor complex.

Key units will include antenatal care, intensive care, neonatal services, postpartum wards, isolation rooms, VIP suites, and royal suites, all designed to support integrated and family-centred care.

The broader medical city will provide a continuous care pathway from preconception through childhood and adolescence, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for specialised healthcare services.