Walking through the doors of a hospital one is hit by the smell of disease and sickness. You spot a lady being wheeled out of surgery while her family crowds around the doctor. A man hobbles into his room in a corner, weak and unsure of what tomorrow brings.
We are programmed, from our young days, to believe that hospitals are scary places where people go to die and where doctors cut you open and where blood flows freely — at least growing up in our household that’s what we believed.
How many of us have wondered if this institution is supposed to make people feel better — shouldn’t a more relaxing environment be created?
A new hospital — scratch that, a hospital spa — opened at the Ras Al Khaimah hospital recently and is all set to dispel the stereotypes associated with hospitals. They have tied up with American Spa technology experts 7e to offer a weight loss and obesity management programme. Services are provided in a relaxed setting, coupled with medical focus.
“The Spa at the RAK Hospital integrates the elements of beauty, medicine and wellness to provide patients with physical and mental wellbeing. Patients will have access to medical care and will also have the opportunity to indulge in spa treatments such as wraps and facials,” Dr Virginia Gordon, who designed the special weight loss protocols, told The weekend tabloid!. “It is important that the issue of mental wellbeing is addressed because when a patient experiences drastic weight loss they will undergo mental duress. People will begin to see them differently, sometimes they won’t recognise themselves — so it is important that the right environment is created, so that they come to terms with their new persona.”
The weight loss protocols available at the spa are a combination of western medical science and eastern aesthetic sense — it targets the fat layers helping patients lose weight and tone and firm their muscles.
“To reduce weight we have come up with a specially formulated protocol that seeks the services of a nutritionist, dermatologist, endocrinologist and cosmetic surgeons leading to non-surgical obesity reduction while allowing patients to indulge in spa treatments. We also offer post surgical conditioning,” Gordon explained.
Anyone who’s visited the spa can attest to how a few hours of pampering can rejuvenate you and at the Hospital Spa those who have just given birth or undergone surgery can avail a facial or massage, Gordon assures us.
