A new BD2.4 million ($6.3 million) state-of-the-art medical centre for kidney diseases is due to be opened within three months in Bahrain, officials said.

The Abdulrahman Kanoo Health Centre for Kidney Diseases was first planned in April 2008 and construction work was completed in January this year.

Medical equipment cost BD800,000, while construction of the building was more than BD1.6 million, both of which have been funded by the Kanoo Group.

HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa visited the centre in Busaiteen yesterday, accompanied by Acting Health Minister and Human Rights and Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi.

He was given a tour of the new site and equipment by Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) nephrology chief Dr Sumaya Gahreeb, who will be responsible for the centre's operations.

The centre has a capacity to hold 54 patients who require dialysis treatment, transplant operations or treatment for other kidney diseases.

It is the first centre that specialises in kidney diseases and treatment. As a result patients are guaranteed top-of-the-range treatment and professional care, said Dr Gahreeb.

"All focus will be on dialysis, transplants and treatment for general kidney disease, therefore the quality will be better and more concentrated," she said.

"We have up-to-date filters and machines, with the latest technology designed for kidney diseases. The staff are also specialists, therefore with all these combined, the quality of care will be much better.

"As for the staff, this new space is a huge advantage and with one centre we can have all specialists focusing on patients in the same centre," she added.

Until now, treatment for kidney disease has only been obtainable at two units in the SMC and BDF Hospital as well as few private hospitals.

The centre, built over three floors, features a pharmacy, laboratories, X-ray rooms, three clinics, six dialysis rooms, three treatment rooms, six isolation rooms, three receptions, two treatment rooms for VIP patients, prayer rooms for men and women, a nutritional ward, a library, store and maintenance rooms and staff offices.

Outside the centre, utilities include a water treatment unit for renal dialysis, medical gas unit, a generator room, two security offices, two garbage rooms, a cafeteria, car parking spaces for 29 employees, 44 visitors and an ambulance.

The Health Ministry has furnished the centre at a cost of BD136,000.

The centre currently has 12 patients who have been transferred from SMC, BDF Hospital or private hospitals, said Dr Gahreeb.

"We are gradually receiving patients who are receiving treatment elsewhere and within the next 10 days, we hope to transfer up to 32 patients, dependent on whether we manage to obtain enough medical equipment."

The centre's official opening has yet to be confirmed as finishing touches need to be made to individual features.

The final date of the completion of such features is expected to be November 25 and ministry officials hope that it will be opened in December. – TradeArabia News Service