BURAIDAH — The Emir of Qassim Region Prince Dr. Faisal Bin Mishal Bin Saud inaugurated the world's biggest camel hospital here on Sunday. The Salam Veterinary Group hospital will be treating camels and will have research facility to diagnose various ailments relating to them, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli was also in attendance at the event. Prince Dr. Faisal stressed that the SR100 million project is a national achievement that has been carried out with a high level of professionalism. It will enhance animal medicine and production development, he said. The hospital will transform the way of treating various illnesses afflicting the camels and it will be a boon for the camel owners, the emir added. After unveiling a plaque for the hospital headquarters, Prince Dr. Faisal toured the hospital's specialized central laboratories, which have over 60 equipment and devices for conducting over 160 types of analyses. The emir visited the hall where camels are checked up. The hall is big enough to accommodate 144 camels at any given time. The emir also toured sheds meant for camels. The sheds are spread over a large area and can accommodate 4,000 riding camels at the same time. He was briefed on the model for the young camels unit, the ICU, CT scan unit, and the operations theaters that are well-equipped for safe, delicate and precise procedures and surgeries. The hospital is constructed on an area of 70,000 sq. meters at a cost of over SR100 million, and includes many technologies to enhance production and research centers to study the causes of disease. The hospital has many experts in this field to enhance services for camel herders and raise production rate. Among the goals for establishing a camel hospital is to bring about a shift in embryology and the traditional fertilization process of camels, whose age ranges between 25 to 30 years. At present, they produce seven young camels per season. Additionally, the hospital will contribute to raising the rate of fetal production in camels from 100 fetuses to 700. The emir expressed thanks and appreciation to the minister of environment, water and agriculture for his follow-up and permanent support for such economic projects serving the country.
