(MENAFN - Arab News) Upcoming new health projects in all parts of the Kingdom clearly indicate the country's health sector is making rapid development strides like never before, Tabuk Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan said on Tuesday.
The prince was speaking at the foundation laying ceremony for SR875 million worth of health projects in the Tabuk region held in the presence of Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who was on a two-day visit to the region.
"This is a period where we are witnessing vast developments in the health sector designed to improve quality health services for residents and citizens living in all parts of the Kingdom," the prince said, pointing out that this is the outcome of the vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, ably assisted by Crown Prince Naif, to offer the best healthcare services to all sectors of society. The governor also thanked the ministry officials for the wonderful healthcare services offered to the people.
Introducing Al-Rabeeah to the audience, the prince said the health minister is no stranger to the province. Al-Rabeeah is a minister who takes personal interest in the planning and implementation of all Health Ministry projects, he added. "He is a minister who first looks after his ministerial work and then goes home on completion of his daily obligations toward the ministry," the governor said.
The prince also expressed his hope the projects would be completed soon within the contracted period. He said according to reports from the Ministry of Health, building contractors are working day and night to complete the projects within the allotted timeframe.
The projects included the construction of a SR409 million children and maternity hospital with 200 beds, a 200-bed mental health hospital capacity at a cost of SR200 million, a regional laboratory, blood bank and a poison center at a cost of SR60 million and four central warehouses at a cost of SR16 million. Besides these projects, a ceremony was held to mark the start of work on housing projects for medical staff in Taima , Amlaj and Duba hospitals that are being built for SR190 million.
During a visit to the King Khalid Hospital in Tabuk yesterday, Al-Rabeeah told patients that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah conveyed his greetings and good wishes for them to get well soon.
Like all other regions, the minister said, Tabuk will also witness a chain of developments in the health sector that would eventually benefit the people in the region. During the tour, the minister also received feedback from members of the public on various matters related to health.
The minister said his ministry is very keen on completing all its health projects in various regions of the Kingdom according to schedule.
Al-Rabeeah highlighted the progress of work on the 500-bed King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Tabuk and the Medical City in Tabuk, stressing all regions of the Kingdom are important. Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Khalid Al-Mirghalani said Tabuk has been witnessing a number of health projects recently.
Ongoing projects include the construction of the SR305 million King Fahd Specialist Hospital and construction of a 100-bed hospital in Taima at a cost of SR85 million, a 100-bed hospital in Amlaj at a cost of SR117 million, a 100-bed hospital in Duba at a cost of SR117 million and construction of four primary healthcare centers for SR14 million in total.
