Al Noor Hospital Closes After 40 Years; Patients Shift to Mediclinic Airport Road

Photo: AB

After serving the community since 1985, Al Noor Hospital has officially shut its doors as part of a wider healthcare consolidation. Patients, staff, and certain specialised services are being transferred to the renovated Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, marking the end of an era in Abu Dhabi’s medical landscape.

Al Noor Hospital opened in 1985 as a modest eight-bed facility and grew to become Abu Dhabi’s largest private hospital by 2015. It earned a reputation for pioneering advanced treatments and humanitarian medical assistance in the region. In 2016, it merged with Mediclinic International, maintaining operations at its Airport Road, Khalifa Street, and Al Ain facilities.

This week, the unannounced closure of the Airport Road branch signals a strategic move. Patients have been informed of the shift, with renovations now complete at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital—a facility expanded using more than Dh120 million in recent upgrades. These improvements include a larger theatre complex, new labour and delivery rooms, expanded NICU, endoscopy suites, and additional outpatient consulting rooms.

Mediclinic Middle East CEO Hein van Eck said this consolidation will enhance service quality and meet growing healthcare demands, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s health goals. He noted continuous operations during construction and praised patient and staff cooperation.

The expanded hospital aims to strengthen tertiary care in the emirate, reducing the need for medical travel abroad. Accreditation from the Joint Commission International enhances confidence, while improved infrastructure supports comprehensive cancer treatment and maternity care.

While the closure may upset residents familiar with Al Noor’s legacy, many see it as a necessary adaptation to modern care needs. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health has been encouraging healthcare providers to streamline facilities, use resources more efficiently, and centre services in well-equipped hospitals.

Patients—many of whom have deep ties to Al Noor—have received support and assurance from Mediclinic regarding smooth transfers of medical records and care continuity. The new hospital offers greater capacity and updated equipment, aiming to reduce wait times and expand specialist availability.

Some staff members have raised concerns about operational changes and workflow disruption. However, Mediclinic has pledged training and financial support to ease transitions and retain talent. Those affected at Al Noor will be reassigned where possible.

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With renovation completed and the larger facility ready, authorities view this shift as a key step toward a sustainable, future-ready healthcare ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. It reflects a broader trend toward fewer, more capable hospitals capable of handling complex care with depth and scale.

Moving forward, Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital will continue building capacity and may expand its service portfolio further. As one veteran physician reflected, the spirit of Al Noor—its heritage of excellence and compassion—will carry on through this modern centre.