SR 1.7 bn hospital deal inked

JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS Tuesday 1 January 2013 Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah yesterday signed a SR 1.77 billion contract to establish new headquarters for King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has allocated two million sq. meters of land for the project, which includes a 630-bed hospital. It will have 150 beds for intensive care unit, 46 operation rooms and 50 dialysis units. Al-Rabeeah thanked King Abdullah for his generous support to the health sector. The national budget for 2013 has allocated SR 100 billion for the sector and includes establishment of 19 hospitals and five medical cities. Qassim Al-Qasabi, executive supervisor of the General Organization for King Faisal Specialist Hospitals and Research Centers, said the new hospital would have advanced health facilities. Dr. Tariq Lingawi, CEO of KFSHRC in Jeddah, said the new hospital would have specialized centers for the treatment of tumors and heart diseases. The project, which includes a children’s hospital and a separate building for outpatient clinics, will be completed in 3 years.