The contract was signed during a press conference at the IMC in Jeddah in the presence of Dr. Al-Walid Ahmad Fitaihi, CEO of IMC and Tareq Mohammed Telmesani, CEO of KEC.

The new center will set new standards in terms of infrastructure, services, location and design.

KEC earlier announced they had sold a piece of land to the IMC for SR22.8 million. This land is located in the north-western part of the Knowledge City, 5 km away from the Madinah city center.

“The first phase of this project will be ready at the end of 2015,” said Emad Jahdali, IMC project manager. The second phase will be completed by 2019.

Jahdali said many new services will be provided at the center.

“IMC has already digitalized its patient files and we will use the same software in Madinah,” he said.

“We have cooperated with the Health Ministry to take inventory of the needs of the people in Madinah, so we can offer these services.”

He said: “The project will start after 14 months. We will first work on providing outpatient polyclinics. Then we will continue to implement other phases.”

The IMC is also looking to establish similar branches in other economic cities, said the project manager.

“The hospital will help in receiving large number of patients as transportation will be very fast and easy from the Prophet’s mosque,” he said.

Dr. Fitaihi announced his happiness at the launch of IMC in the holy city, where it will also serve pilgrims and Umrah performers.

He added: “The project will create about 1,500 job opportunities after finishing the first phase.”

“We developed the health care facility according to the needs of the people and community of Madinah and visiting pilgrims,” Dr. Fataihi added.

The hospital will be located next to Dar Al-Jewar, a gated community located within Haram boundaries offering a modern lifestyle and designed according to the authentic style of Madinah.

Spacious green areas, leisure services for families, playgrounds and parks for children will surround the IMC.

Telmesani said KEC is also developing other real estate projects, which he hopes to finish within four years.