DAMMAM, 28 June — Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd yesterday inaugurated a number of health projects in the region including a kidney center and a mental hospital. He also laid the foundation stone for the medical tower at Dammam Central Hospital.
The 380-bed medical tower, to be built on an area of 15,168 square meters, will have 40 specialty clinics. The governor also opened a cultural hall, named after the late Prince Faisal ibn Fahd, at Al-Amal Hospital in Dammam.
The kidney center, donated by Yousuf ibn Ahmad Kanoo Group of Companies, has 68 dialysis units with support facilities. The SR20 million facility has the capacity to handle 300 patients. The mental hospital with 170 beds was completed in 18 months at a cost of SR16 million.
Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi, who attended the opening ceremony, said specialized treatment is now available in the Kingdom for a number of complicated problems. The minister earlier signed an SR16 million contract for setting up the 50-bed Qaryat Al-Olya Hospital.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Ali, health director in the province, said a number of new projects would be completed shortly in the region. They include King Fahd Eye Specialist Hospital in Dhahran, Maleeja Hospital, Prince Sultan Hospital in Oraiara, Al-Jebar Kidney Center, Saud Al-Babtain Heart Center, Al-Rashid Hospital for Children, and Afalik Hospital for Primary Healthcare.
The Dammam Central Hospital, which has been in operation for the last 45 years, is a referral center for a number of hospitals in the region. The Gulf General Hospital, renamed King Faisal Specialist Hospital, has been upgraded to provide specialist health services.
Abdul Aziz Qasim Kanoo, chairman of the Kanoo Group of Companies, commended the initiative taken by Prince Muhammad in raising funds for the Kanoo Kidney Center. “This has inspired our family to sponsor the project by bearing its full cost,” he added. He also lauded Prince Muhammad for encouraging businessmen to participate in health projects. The governor later honored a number of businessmen who had contributed to the medical tower project.
On Tuesday, Prince Muhammad opened the Tadawi General Hospital in Dammam. The 55-bed hospital was established at a cost of SR62 million. It has 17 specialty clinics manned by 35 doctors.
