Manama: Dr. Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of Arabian Gulf University (AGU), and Mazen Matar, CEO of Nass Corporation, have signed a contract to advance the construction of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City project. This project is recognized as one of Bahrain's pivotal healthcare initiatives.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, and Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Higher Education Council. The event was further graced by the presence of Yousef bin Abdullah Al Benyan, Saudi Minister of Education, and Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), alongside senior officials from both countries' medical and educational sectors.
The project signifies the robust relationship between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, serving as an exemplar of Gulf cooperation in healthcare and academia. Its objectives include addressing the gaps in specialized healthcare in Bahrain and the region, while integrating medical services with education and research.
Dr. Juma emphasized that the project reflects the strong Bahrain-Saudi ties and cooperation in health and education sectors, guided by the directives of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He highlighted the project's endorsement by the Bahrain-Saudi Coordination Council, co-chaired by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
Sultan Al Marshad described the project as a standout model of development cooperation in healthcare, with its capacity surpassing 275 beds. The facility is designed to support medical training and offer comprehensive services that align with international standards.
Dr. Al Fuhaid conveyed gratitude to the leadership of both nations and the SFD, highlighting that the project will bolster Bahrain's status as a regional hub for medical innovation and research. He stressed the university's commitment to delivering the project to the highest international standards, in tribute to the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and in support of Bahrain's strategic vision for its healthcare sector.
Bashar Sameer Nass, Board Member of Nass Corporation, assured that construction is proceeding swiftly according to the planned schedule, with an emphasis on high-quality facilities and advanced educational infrastructure.
The medical city will feature a teaching hospital equipped with 300 rooms, clinical and outpatient buildings, 77 outpatient clinics, 15 operating rooms, 37 intensive care units, and six isolation rooms. Additionally, it will encompass medical education and research centers concentrating on regional health priorities such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.