JEDDAH, 16 September 2005 — Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie said on Wednesday that his ministry was in the process of setting up a number of new medical projects in various parts of the country as part of its efforts to improve health services.
He was speaking to reporters after signing a contract with Al-Jouda Company for the operation and maintenance of a 200-bed hospital in south Riyadh which will cost about SR60 million. Covering some 86,700 square meters, Manie said the hospital would have in-patient facilities, specialty clinics and emergency wards.
He also signed a contract with Tamimi Company for the services and maintenance of cooked food to the Riyadh Medical Complex for three years at a cost of SR54.34 million.
In a related development, the Health Ministry has warned against drinking all types of cologne, saying it is dangerous to health. In a statement, the ministry said symptoms of sickness after drinking the liquid would appear within a day or two. The symptoms include dizziness, giddiness, vomiting, stomachache, respiratory problems and poor vision, the ministry said. It estimated alcohol content in many colognes at 90 to 95 percent.
