A state-of-the-art BD4 million ($10.6 million) health centre, which includes 17 wards, is set to open next week in the Hidd area of Bahrain.

HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, toured the two-storey Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK) Health Centre yesterday (October 11).

He was briefed by Human Rights and Social Development and Acting Health Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi on the centre, which will serve 18,000 people.

HRH the Premier stressed the importance of the partnership between the public and private sectors to ensure sustained development and promote growth momentum.

He described the health sector as a promising field which encourages the private sector, seeing its humanitarian and social dimensions.

He reaffirmed the government's resolve to continue efforts to enhance the standards of medical services.

He urged the private sector to invest in social-oriented projects and bolster its crucial role in engineering economic development and spurring growth.

He also directed all government departments to provide necessary facilities for development projects led by the private sector and remove obstacles.

'The BBK Hidd Health Centre is a vivid example reflecting the private sector's active participation in social and development fields,' he said.

He hailed financial and banking institutions for their role in promoting community partnership.

He instructed centres to provide health care and other specialised therapeutic services for patients.

Dr Al Balooshi expressed thanks and appreciation to HRH the Premier for the visit, which reflects his keenness to promote health and therapeutic projects and upgrade medical services.

Work on the health centre started in September last year.

A total of BD4 million have been spent on the construction and furnishing of the health centre. A budget of BD500,000 has also been earmarked to purchase necessary medical equipment.

The operation of the BBK health centre will require an estimated annual budget of BD2 million.

It employs 100 people, including eight administrators, 10 doctors, six dentists in addition to technical assistants, lab technicians and nurses. – TradeArabia News Service