AL-AHSA, 18 October — Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, will pay a short visit to the UAE today for talks with President Sheikh Zayed ibn Sultan Al-Nahayan. The visit is significant in the context of the present situation with war clouds looming over the region, Asharq Al-Awsat reported yesterday quoting UAE sources. The visit also comes ahead of the GCC summit conference to be held in Doha.
Prince Abdullah yesterday launched the $4 billion Hawiya gas plant, the largest in the world.
Later at Al-Ahsa, he inaugurated a 200-bed private hospital established by Ahsa Medical Services Company at a cost of SR200 million. In his address at the inauguration, Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi said the number of hospital beds in the Al-Ahsa region had increased to 1,734 with the opening of the new hospital.
“Participation of the private sector in health care projects is a big support for the public sector,” the minister said and called for greater private sector participation in vital projects.
Shubokshi said there are six government hospitals in Al-Ahsa with a total of 1,044 beds in addition to the recently opened King Abdul Aziz National Guard Hospital.
Abdul Aziz Al-Abdul Qader, chairman of the company, thanked the crown prince for finding time during his busy itinerary to open the facility. He described the hospital as the company’s major achievement. “It’s a fruit of the good cooperation between the public and private sectors,” he added.
Covering an area of 50,000 square meters, the hospital has 36 outpatient clinics covering major specialties. Its capacity could be increased to 300 beds.
Prince Abdullah, who is on a several-day inspection tour of the Eastern Province, is expected to open a textile factory, a Saudi-Japanese joint venture, here today.
Dr. Saadoun Al-Saadoun, director general of Al-Ahsa Development Company, said the factory was established at a cost of SR160 million.
