The final stages of infrastructure planning for the Salalah-based International Medical City (IMC), an 866,000 sq m healthcare hub, have been completed and construction will begin soon, a top official said.

Dr Abdulla Al Joaib, president of Apex Medical Group, a subsidiary of Al Joaib Group and developer of the IMC, pointed out the myriad benefits associated with medical tourism investment within the region, which will result in a multispecialty tertiary care hospital and three medical centres of excellence for organ transplant, rehabilitation and diagnostics.

"The trend towards medical tourism continues to gain in popularity with the number of people travelling abroad for medical treatments - especially from the Middle East - growing rapidly. The International Medical City in Salalah aspires to provide cost effective and reliable medical services right here in the region,” said Dr Al Joaib.

The International Medical City project business model comprises integrated units and functions which support and complement each other. The first phase of the project - planned to be finished in 2016 - will witness the completion of the Healthcare Complex which consists of a 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital which includes Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, Diagnostic Centre of Excellence, and Rehabilitation Centre of Excellence.

Noting the increasing demand for organ transplant facilities in the region, Dr Al Joaib, said: "According to official figures provided by the Saudi Centre for Organ Transplantation, a total of 553 kidney and 115 liver transplants were performed within Saudi Arabia in 2011, and this figure continues to grow year on year. The need to have a centre of excellence in the region, providing multi-specialty tertiary care and an advanced organ transplant centre is clearly demonstrated. "

The second phase of the project will witness the extension of the multispecialty tertiary care hospital to 430 beds, and will encompass Healthcare Resort which will offer Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The resort will include a wellness centre, a 4-star hotel connected to the hospital, a conference hall, staff accommodation, serviced apartment for patients' families, in addition to other amenities. The Educational Complex will be completed in the third phase, and it will encompass a medical college, a nursing college, a conference centre, and a research and development centre. The multi-specialty hospital will also be extended to 530 beds at this stage.

Dr Al JoaIb continued: "The Master Plan of IMC has now been finalised, and investors and contractors have shown great interest to participate in this tremendous development. Most importantly, all the necessary licenses to begin the project have been almost completed in coordination with the Oman Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Health. We have also been receiving partnership proposals from local and international businesses, research centres and educational institutions."

IMC will house the first specialized organ transplant and rehabilitation medical centres of excellence in the GCC region. The project will bring tremendous benefits to patients who will be able to enjoy high quality healthcare facilities without having to travel to far-away destinations. – TradeArabia News Service