In 1966, Dr. Ghassan Hammoud a German trained Surgeon, Obstetrician & Gynecologist; established Hammoud Hospital in his native city of Saida, the third largest city in Lebanon located 40 km (29 miles) south of the capital Beirut. Initially, it was a 20 bed facility and primarily a small surgery and maternity Hospital. During the 1970s, the Hospital expanded to 100 patient beds, with more operating theaters, and initiated a technical medical services department to include Laboratory Medicine and Radiology. Simultaneously, the house staff number increased to a hundred full time staff.
In spite of the tragic events that Saida witnessed throughout the Lebanese War, the hospital continued to achieve its goal of delivering quality medical care. Furthermore, in response to the urgent patient needs and increase in trauma cases, the hospital capacity increased to 180 beds and added an Intensive Care & Coronary Care Unit.
During the last decade, the hospital acquired more advanced medical technologies, expanded and diversified its medical departments to include a Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Department. The first cardiac transplant operation in the Middle East was performed at Hammoud Hospital in 1999. Consequently, the Hospital proved itself capable of managing referrals in all fields of Medicine and from broader demographic regions beyond South Lebanon. During its short history, Hammoud Hospital continued to abide by its mission statement: “Standardize performance throughout the Hospital.”
Hammoud Hospital has built over the years valued affiliations with several institutions, Universities and Medical schools to promote and encourage other health care profession that are in demand, such as the different skills of nursing, paramedics, and physical therapy. A 10 years affiliation with the Lebanese University was established in 1991-1992. The hospital offers training for medical students, interns and residents, nursing students, laboratory technicians, midwives, physical therapy students and trainees.
The Hospital started welcoming medical residents in 1994. The resident program was developed to include 10 residents per year. Clinical rotations currently include: General Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine. Lebanese University affiliated full time physicians offer lectures, clinical rounds and surgery. In 1999, Hammoud Hospital became the basic teaching hospital for medical students from Beirut Arab University. Medical students from the Arab University spend 2 years of clinical teaching on the hospital premises. The hospital staff is involved in all aspects of the teaching curriculum. A new residency program was inaugurated in July of 2002 with Beirut Arab University. Thirteen residents and interns have started in the departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Laboratory Medicine and Radiology.
Nursing also plays a primary role in ensuring that patient care remains of high quality. In 1978, Hammoud Hospital formed an affiliation with the Saint Joseph University School of Nursing. An average of 20 students per year gets their clinical training and schooling in the hospital. The nursing department of the Lebanese University School of Nursing (English & French Divisions) formed an affiliation with the hospital in 1989 and has helped keep the level of nursing care at a high standard. The hospital currently trains 50 nurses per year from the Lebanese University.
On the paramedical front, the Hospital is proud of its relationship with the Red Cross. An average 20 to 35 students and volunteers come and get the needed training per year. Furthermore, the hospital has nourished relationships with other technical schools around the country to allow first hand experience to their students in the health care programs.
Dr. Hammoud always believed that each of us is a student and remains so year after year, just as each is a teacher. Exploring the answers to two basic questions of how we can help our patients, and what we can learn in doing so; will always keep Hammoud Hospital a teaching institution with an aim at excellence in quality medical care.
Visit the Information Desks for more information on Hammoud Hospital UMC, and the city of Saida. The main Information Desk is located near the central elevators on the first floor (Ext 1931/1932).
