United Arab Emirates

Acquired: 2006
Specialty: Maternal Health
Number of Doctors: 31
Number of Nurses: 78
Number of Beds: 50
Patients seen annually: 122,000
Number of operations annually: 1,850

Oasis Hospital is located in the city of Al Ain, about 160 kilometers east of the capital city Abu Dhabi. Al Ain has been a vital link between the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf for thousands of years due to its strategic position and good water supply. Today, Al Ain blossoms proudly as the Garden City of the Gulf. It is a verdant carpet of life and vitality, a tribute to its people and their leaders.

It was here in Al Ain that Oasis Hospital opened in November 1960 at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his brother Sheikh Shakhbut. Having experienced American medical care in Muscat and Bahrain, the rulers asked Drs. Pat and Marian Kennedy to open a similar hospital here. At that time, the local population was actually declining in numbers. With an infant mortality rate of 50% and maternal mortality rate of 35%, plus many endemic diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, eye diseases, intestinal parasites, etc., the need here indeed, was very great.

Needless to say, life and healthcare have changed dramatically in Al Ain since Oasis Hospital began in 1960. A population that was once decimated has since surged. Infant mortality rates that stood at 50% are now less than 1%, and maternal mortality is almost unheard of. Oasis Hospital delivers about 2,700 babies and treats over 122,000 patients annually. We have brought over 83,000 children into the world over the years, to families from the UAE, Oman, and nearly every country of the world. In fact, many of those being born at Oasis today represent the third generation of "Oasis Babies" in their family.

CURE International acquired Oasis Hospital in 2006. The focus of the hospital will remain maternal and infant health, but CURE will begin to offer additional surgical services in the future.

The Kennedy Fund has been established to honor the work of the The Kennedy's and extend their legacy.  Click here for more information