King Abdullah Medical City infrastructure on good track

Manama, (BNA): Infrastructure works are ongoing at the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City, which has been directed to be established by the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who donated SR1 billion to fund the project, and a million square-meter land has been allocated for the project in the Southern Governorate as per the instructions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Deputy President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) Dr. Khalid Saeed Tabbarah appreciated the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the project by bearing the construction of the infrastructure phase and instructing the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning to implement the works, which are funded by the GCC Development Programme (GCC Marshall Plan) under the supervision of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Dr. Tabbarah explained that the works include paving the roads, electricity, water and sanitation, and the establishment of sewage and electricity plants. He also noted that AGU’s consultant for the project, Saud Consult, which is in charge of the project’s engineering designs, will also follow up on the implementation of the infrastructure works as per the instructions of the Ministry. On his part, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ahmed Abdulaziz Al Khayat said the Wise Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain has tasked the ministry with the implementation of the infrastructure works and facilities of the project. He explained that the works are divided on four phases, clarifying that the first stage includes the implementation of electricity, water and sewage networks, and firefighting, irrigation and rainwater drainage networks, that is in addition to the construction of internal roads and installation of street lighting. Al Khayat said the second phase will be the construction of a main power plant with a voltage of 66kV to supply the city with electricity. He also confirmed that the third and fourth phases will include the construction of a sewage plant and the development of the roads networks surrounding and leading to the city. Al Khayat praised the support of the government to this vital project, at the same time he hailed the efforts dedicated by the concerned parties which he said will surely contribute to the successful accomplishment and prompt completion of the project. Dr. Tabbarah revealed that the beginning of the infrastructure works of the projects comes simultaneously with the construction of the Academic Medical Centre at the Medical City, adding that the construction of the centre is expected to be completed within 24 months and that it would receive patients in the first months of 2021. It is worth mentioning that the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City will consist of a medical centre consisting of 288 beds that are in compliance with the highest international standards and specifications in this field. It will also include a number of research and excellence centres, as well as a college of medicine, making it a comprehensive centre for medical education and medical services that would offer its services to patients from Bahrain and neighbouring GCC states.