RIYADH – Jeddah's King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH &RC) will have a new headquarters at a cost of over SR1.77 billion. Minister of Health Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who is also chairman of the General Organization for KFSH &RC, signed the contract with a Saudi company, which won the project through a public bidding. The first phase of the project, to be completed in three years, would consist of a 630-bed hospital complex, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The contract was signed in line with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to build the new headquarters on an area covering two million sq. meters. The signing ceremony held at the Riyadh headquarters of KFSH &RC was also attended by several other officials, including Dr. Qasim Al-Qasabi, executive supervisor of the General Organization for KFSH &RC, and Dr. Tareq Lanjawi, executive director of Jeddah's KFSH &RC. The first phase of the new hospital complex include a 150-bed intensive care unit, 90-bed one-day post-surgery care facility, 50 dialysis stations, 30 rooms for those who undergo major surgeries, and 16 rooms for those recuperating from minor surgeries, in addition to 32 rooms for other inpatients. Dr. Al-Rabeeah thanked King Abdullah for the great support being extended to the health sector that enabled it to provide the best medical care and advanced facilities through building several medical cities, as well as specialized and public health centers across the Kingdom. A total of SR100 billion was appropriated for health services and social development in the new budget announced Saturday. Al-Qasabi said the new headquarters would have integrated health and logistic facilities to make available the top standard specialized health care as well as to carry out scientific researches, in addition to providing higher level training to Saudi doctors. Dr. Tareq Lanjawi said that the new headquarters would house specialized centers for the treatment of tumors, marrow and neurological disorders, and heart diseases. It will also have hospital for children, integrated building for external clinics, advanced research center, conference hall, main administrative block, service and logistics buildings, besides parking areas. – SG
