THE Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) has invited tenders for the development of the new Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in central Abu Dhabi.

Upon completion, the project will be the largest hospital in the UAE, furnished with state-of-the-art facilities and sporting a design that will integrate traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements.

Envisioned as an integrated medical city, SKMC will transcend usual design models of medical centres and create a bustling complex, featuring vibrant public spaces with a relaxing, therapeutic environment.

The 826-bed SKMC development will conform to the best sustainable design practices that correspond with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, said a spokesman for Seha.

“The design of the new city was named best sustainable hospital project during the 2012 Hospital Build and Infrastructure Middle East Exhibition, held in Dubai,” he added.

Spread over an area of more than 300,000 sq m, SKMC will include three distinct hospitals – a general hospital, Level One trauma centre and tertiary women’s and paediatric hospital.

The hospital will feature extensive use of natural light to reduce power needs, a solar panel system with high-efficiency concentrating photovoltaic cells for power, alongside traditional practices such as condensate recovery system supplying natural irrigation for the hospital’s garden areas.