JEDDAH, 10 October 2006 — An advanced dialysis center with 100 units will be established here soon at a cost of SR35 million. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has approved a proposal in this respect made by Prince Fahd ibn Salman Charitable Society for the Care of Kidney Patients.
“This center will become one of the cultural landmarks in Jeddah,” Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Salman, assistant minister of petroleum and minerals and chairman of the society, said about the center named after Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed.
Addressing businessmen at a fund-raising event at the residence of Khaled Al-Juffali on Saturday night, Prince Abdul Aziz thanked King Abdullah for granting approval for the project, which he said would serve the people of Jeddah and surrounding areas. “We hope and pray that Prince Abdul Majeed will open this center when he returns back to the country after full recovery,” Abdul Aziz said.
There are 8,500 kidney patients in the Kingdom, he said, adding that their number was growing at an annual rate of nine percent.
Talking from London by telephone, Prince Abdul Majeed said he was happy hearing the king’s approval to the project. “I hope that this center will reduce the misery of our brothers and sisters suffering from kidney failures,” the Makkah governor said.
Some 60 businessmen, who took part in the event, contributed SR20 million for the project. “I am thankful for your support,” the governor told the businessmen.
Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie said his ministry would be more than happy to support humanitarian projects. He spoke about the government’s efforts in the service of kidney patients. He said the new dialysis center would be established at King Fahd Hospital in Jeddah. Specialists from King Fahd Hospital gave a presentation of the center and its facilities.
Al-Juffali, who is executive president of the center, emphasized the significance of the project in the light of the growing number of kidney patients in the country. “With the support of businessmen we can complete this project within two years,” he said.
Al-Juffali said a UAE businessman, who requested anonymity, had contributed $10,000 to the project. Wahib Binzagr and Al-Juffali gave SR500,000 each.
The Health Ministry in association with the Prince Fahd ibn Salman Society had conducted a study on medical services being provided to kidney patients across the country and their present and future health requirements as well as prospects of establishing dialysis centers by charitable societies.
The study called for upgrading existing dialysis centers by providing them with advanced medical equipment and facilities. It also emphasized the need for replacing some of the old dialysis centers with new ones as they lacked proper buildings and medical facilities.
