ABHA — The 1,350-bed King Faisal Medical City in Abha will be fully operational by 2021, said Asir Emir Prince Faisal Bin Khalid following a meeting with health officials. "By 2018, the hospital will have 500 beds," he said while speaking to reporters. He emphasized the importance of new health projects in Abha and other parts of Asir province, saying it would serve citizens in the whole southern region, including Najran and Jazan. Health officials including Badr Al-Lami, deputy health minister for supply and engineering affairs, earlier gave a presentation about the medical city highlighting its advanced facilities. The project, which will cost SR4.31 billion, includes a specialist hospital, centers for ophthalmology, cardiology, tumors, neurology and rehabilitation. The officials also briefed the emir on other major health projects in the region including the 300-bed Abha General Hospital, a trauma center with 100 beds, the 200-bed Amwah Hospital, the 200-bed Majarda Hospital and primary healthcare centers. Mohammed Al-Habdan, director of health affairs in Asir, said the medical city project would be implemented in phases. "In the first phase, a medical tower will be constructed in the center of the city," he explained. Intellectual security Prince Faisal, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of intellectual security to accelerate the Kingdom's progress and safeguard its achievements in various sectors. He made the remarks while receiving Jelawi Al-Karkaman, director general of education in the region. He said the Kingdom would stand firmly against those who try to undermine its security and stability. "Intellectual security is the basis of national security," the emir said and urged teachers to play an important role to safeguard students from extremist thoughts and ideologies. "Teachers are the real bridge to students and they can play a significant role in educating them about the dangers posed by extremism," the emir said. In a related development, Deputy Emir of Asir Prince Mansour Bin Muqrin received Al-Karkaman and directors of education in major cities and commended the department's efforts in promoting education in the region. Karkaman congratulated Prince Mansour on his appointment as deputy governor of the region and wished him every success in his new post.
